Sports
Gig Harbor boys clinch state berth with defeat of Evergreen
The stage was set Friday night for Gig Harbor to punch its ticket to the state 3A boys basketball tournament. The Tides rode a 22-3 second quarter to take control against Evergreen of Vancouver and cruise to a 68-42 victory in a District 3/4 playoff game, clinching a date next week at the Tacoma Dome.
Gig Harbor played in front of a roaring full house that provided the hometown energy they would need as records were broken and goals achieved. The Tides have provided the town with plenty to cheer about, going 15-0 at the tsunami center.
Christian Parrish for a layup for two of his nine points. Photo courtesy of Christi Adams
Though the Tides secured a place in the state tournament, they still have an important seeding game today against Spanaway Lake. If they win, their RPI, currently sixth in the state, will not drop. It would then be up to a committee to decide their spot in the top eight, based on RPI. A top-eight rating would guarantee them a first-round state game against a regional game winner.
“It feels great to get to state,” said excited ninth-year Coach Billy Landram. The last time the Tides played in the Tacoma Dome was in 2006 when they placed seventh.
On Friday, Gig Harbor started out a little sloppy against the Plainsman press, trying to dribble through it instead of using the overhead pass.
“We came out a bit flat, in my opinion, and needed a kickstart,” Landram said. “Once we got going, we did a great job.”
Luke Browne scores in the paint for two of his 20 points. Photo courtesy of Christi Adams
Will Landram scored seven of the team’s first 10 points, hitting a baseline three, a short jumper and completing an explosive baseline drive for a one-handed jam over a defender to energize the crowd. The score was tied at 11 after the first quarter, and it looked like the game could go down to the wire.
The Tides took control in the second quarter, however, with a 22-3 run in which Gig Harbor’s 2-3 zone shut down Evergreen. Ryan Pickles, Christian Parrish and Landram each got steals, Browne blocked two shots at the rim and Parker Born and Asher Raquiza crashed the boards. With the Plainsmen scoring only three points, Gig Harbor took a commanding 33-14 lead at the break.
The third quarter opened with a three from the top of the key from Browne, breaking Paul Grobin’s 31-year-old school record of 80 in a season. Thirty seconds later he swished another from the baseline. The sniper now owns Gig Harbor’s records for threes in a season and in a single game, with 11 earlier this year.
Evergreen wouldn’t go away. With a shot at state on the line, it trimmed the lead to 11 before spark plug Pickles hit a timely three in the corner. Seniors Raquiza and Born were all over the place, getting steals and rebounds, and Landram drew fouls and got to the free throw line. The play of the night was from Parrish, who with a nasty, push pull retreat dribble sent an off-balance defender crashing to the ground. The students roared as Parrish rose to snap a 15-foot jump shot and complete the highlight play.
Will Landram goes up and packs one on Evergreen for two of his 12 points. Photo courtesy of Christi Adams
“It’s always fun for the kids to play in front of an energetic fan base,” Coach Landram said. “I tell the kids if you want fans to come, you’ve got to win.”
The fourth quarter saw Raquiza hit a pull-up jumper from the free throw line, Browne sliced through defenders for a jump hook and another three, and sophomore Drake Matthies scored four quick points off the bench. Crowd favorite and 3-point specialist Nic Fortney launched another three that would have caused the student section to rush the court for the third time this season. The shot, however, was in and out, ending the game and Evergreen’s season.
Gig Harbor was led in scoring by Browne with 20 points, and Landram and Pickles with 12 apiece.
There is still work to do today against Spanaway Lake. Tipoff is early, at 4 p.m., at Gig Harbor. Tickets must be purchased at gofan.co.