MARYSVILLE – It had to be this way: One heck of a shootout.
Dan Bates / The Herald
Everyone knew it would be the last high school basketball game for one of two senior mega-stars. And, knowing how much was on the line, Snohomish’s Jon Brockman and Jake Linton of Meadowdale played their hearts out.
As Snohomish coach Len Bone said afterward, it’s a shame somebody had to lose.
Brockman, who scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, and Linton (21 points) treated the crowd to a captivating winner-to-state, loser-out Class 4A District 1 tournament game Friday night at the Marysville-Pilchuck High gym. With plenty of help from his teammates, Brockman and Snohomish pulled off a 56-53 overtime victory to claim the district’s third and final state tournament berth.
“It wasn’t really a well-played game,” Bone said, “but in terms of playoff intensity…”
Nuff said.
“It was a great game tonight,” echoed Meadowdale coach Chad McGuire, whose team finished the season 18-6. “(Snohomish) just executed a little bit better … and that was the difference.”
The University of Washington-bound Brockman, a 6-foot-8 forward, forced overtime with a free throw late in the fourth quarter and Linton scored seven points in the extra session. Meadowdale had a chance to tie on the game’s final possession, but Linton had trouble with the inbounds pass and missed an off-balance 3-pointer that caromed off the upper left corner of the backboard as the buzzer sounded.
“He almost single-handedly won the game,” McGuire said of Linton. “He’s so determined. He’s such a competitor, and it’s fun to watch him play.”
Meadowdale’s Danny Hagen also had a big game, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Brockman had his usual outstanding game, but when victory was up for grabs his teammates came up huge. Guards Grady Bone and Jake Hammons both made key 3-pointers to get Snohomish to overtime. Nate Van Duine scored all four of his points in the extra session. And Marcus Reinhard’s driving lay-in with 56 seconds to play was crucial.
“I’m excited for everybody in our program,” Len Bone said. “Everybody … has made significant contributions.”
“Every single guy had a role tonight,” Brockman added. “This was a team effort.”
Snohomish (18-6), which also defeated Meadowdale 51-48 Feb. 22 in a first-round district tourney game, returns to Tacoma Dome for the third time in four years after missing out last season.
Meanwhile, Meadowdale’s state tournament streak ended at two.
“They deserve to be in the state tournament as much as we do,” Brockman said of Meadowdale, which moved up from 3A to 4A competition this season. “They’re a great team.”
Neither team led by more than five points in a tight first half that ended with Snohomish ahead 22-21.
Brockman helped boost Snohomish to a seven-point lead early in the third quarter. He scored four points during a 6-0 Panthers’ run that made it 28-21. But, behind Linton’s five third-quarter points, Meadowdale roared back.
With 16 points after halftime, Linton did all he could to stop Snohomish.
“He controls everything,” Brockman said of Linton. “He’s just a great point guard.”
And, along with Brockman, Linton played a giant part in a memorable game.
At Marysville
Meadowdale1561859-53
Snohomish14813912-56
Meadowdale-Huffman 4, McGinnis 9, Linton 21, Marsh 3, Hagen 12, Atcho 4. Snohomish-Reinhard 6, Hammons 9, James 4, Van Duine 4, Brockman 25, Wilde 2, Follis 3, Bone 3. 3-point goals-McGinnis, Linton 2, Marsh, Hammons, Follis, Bone. Records-Meadowdale 18-6 overall. Snohomish 18-6.
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