EVERETT – Some times the game of basketball is simple. Make your free throws and you win in regulation. Miss them and you lose in overtime.
That’s what happened to Marysville Getchell’s boys team Thursday night, falling to Lake Stevens 78-72 in a four-team tournament at Everett Community College.
The Chargers actually led much of the game.
They took the lead in the first quarter after a 3-pointer from the baseline by Malakhi Knight. After falling behind Knight then passed to Lul William for a dunk to knot the score at 16-16. But the Vikings kept scoring easily inside to take a 21-16 lead at the end of the period.
Knight and Josiah Koellmer drove in for buckets and Chase Showalter hit a 3 to give the lead back to the Chargers. William’s steal and resounding dunk and Koellmer’s off-balance bank shot for 3 at the buzzer put MG ahead at the break 37-33.
The Chargers increased the lead to 44-35 early in the third period after an inside shot by Caleb Koellmer, a 3-point play by Josiah and Knight scoring inside on an inbounds play with the assist to Caleb.
MG fell in love with the outside shot for awhile and wasn’t hitting so the Vikings came back. Still, after three quarters MG led 50-48, thanks to William scoring inside twice, once on a pass from Josiah, and Knight getting a steal and layup.
In the fourth period, Knight lost the ball but it went right to Caleb, who scored, and when Knight hit a 3 with 4:32 left the Chargers were in front 61-54.
MG missed some free throws, at it had all night, and didn’t score for a few minutes, but they still led 65-59 with 1:43 to play. The Chargers did not score the rest of the way, while the Vikings scored six to force overtime. Two of the scores came on layups after steals, the second of which was an obvious foul that was not called.
Caleb scored after grabbing an offensive rebound and Knight finally hit a couple of free throws but it was too little too late as Jaxson Smith took over in O.T. with a 3 and an old-fashioned 3-point play.
Knight led MG with 32 points and Josiah added 20, Caleb 9, William 8 and Showalter’s 3.
Four Vikings recorded double-digit scoring, led by Ian Mahler’s 19 points, Deshawn McFerrin’s 17, Joe Gonzales with 16 and Smith 14.
Friday, MG was whipped by Anacortes 80-35. Details were not reported.
But MG came back Saturday and edged Black Hills 55-51.
The Chargers held Black Hills to just 4 points in the third quarter to take a 42-32 lead. Black Hills fought back in the fourth, but MG was able to hold off the rally.
Knight drained two free throws with 16 seconds left to seal the victory. He finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds.
Josiah Koellmer chipped in 11 points. Only three others scored: Showalter and Caleb Koeller with 5 each and William added 4.
