M-P to play Kennewick in state playoff game in Pasco

MILL CREEK – Marysville-Pilchuck's three pointer went in, Arlington's didn't. As a result, the Tomahawks are going to the state tournament. M-P will play Kennewick at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Chiawana High School in Pasco.

By Steve Powell • February 23, 2015 3:31 pm
M-P's Michael Painter (23) sinks a short jump shot against Arlington. The Eagles held the Tomahawk standout to just eight points.
M-P's Michael Painter (23) sinks a short jump shot against Arlington. The Eagles held the Tomahawk standout to just eight points.

MILL CREEK – Marysville-Pilchuck’s three pointer went in, Arlington’s didn’t.

As a result, the Tomahawks are going to the state tournament. M-P will play Kennewick at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Chiawana High School in Pasco.

Cole Grinde, a 6-foot senior guard, made a three-pointer with less than a minute left in the game to lead M-P to a 49-46 win over Arlington in the 3A Northwest District 1 Boys Basketball Tournament at Jackson High School Feb. 21.

The Eagles got the shot they wanted with just seconds remaining on the clock. But 6-foot-3 senior wing Nathan Aune saw his shot online, but just a little long off the back of the iron.

Michael Painter, M-P’s 6-foot-4 senior guard, hit two jumpers as M-P went up early on 10-4, which ended up being the biggest lead of the game for either team. But Aune hit a three, and Drew Bryson scored on a back-door layup to bring Arlington back. Tomahawk Bryce Juneau passed inside to Bryce Vitcovich, but Drew Bryson responded for the Eagles with a drive to the hoop, making it 14-13 M-P at the end of the first quarter.

The teams traded baskets in the second period, and Arlington was up 23-20, before Painter made a 3-pointer to tie it at the break.

Both teams were cold at the start of the second half, but Arlington took a 29-25 lead. However, M-P’s 5-foot-9 junior guard, Josh Bevin, hit two 3-pointers from downtown to put the Tommies back up. M-P led 35-31 at the end of three after Vitkovich grabbed an offensive board and made a put-back shot.

Aune scored on a fastbreak bucket to give Arlington its last lead of the game at 36-35. But Painter rebounded his own miss and scored on an old-fashioned three-point play to put M-P up again.

Grinde scored with an assist from Bevan, but when Bryson scored after grabbing an offensive board it was 42-42 with 2:50 left to play.

Bevan’s third 3-pointer of the half then sent up Grinde’s game-winner.

Bevin led the winners’ balanced attack with 11 points, and Grinde added 10.

Aune and 6-foot junior point guard Donavan Sellgren led the Eagles with 12 each. Bryson, just a sophomore, added 11.