STANWOOD — Stanwood coach Zach Ward was worried his boys basketball team might suffer an emotional hangover after an overtime loss the previous night at home against Kamiak.
One quarter into Friday night’s game against Monroe, his concern looked justified.
But the Spartans fought back, overcoming a 12-point deficit with a strong offensive showing in the final quarter and helped their playoff chances tremendously with a 57-53 win over Monroe at Stanwood High School.
“After (the) week that we’ve had, with a tough loss Tuesday and an overtime loss last night, I’m just really proud of our kids for not giving up,” Ward said. “I’m proud of the effort.”
The Sprtans trailed almost the entire game. However, a 23-11 advantage in the decisive fourth quarter ensured another victory was added to the Stanwood win column.
Ward would have preferred to have a comfortable lead by the final 56.4 seconds instead of being locked in a tie game, but said the win was the most important thing.
“In an ideal world, you would like to be a little more comfortable down the stretch,” he said. “That doesn’t happen very often. On the other hand, for your kids to win a game like this, it’s a huge confidence builder.”
When the fourth quarter started, Monroe led 42-34. The Spartans consistently chipped away at the lead in the final eight minutes, making two-point baskets while the Bearcats split free throws, and finally tied the score on Brennan Williams’ 3-point field goal with 56 seconds remaining.
On the ensuing possession, Williams stole the ball and passed ahead to Mason Garcea, who was fouled as he drove to the basket. Garcea made both free throws to give the Spartans their first lead since early in the first quarter.
Monroe brought the ball down again, trailing 55-53 and suffered the same fate, only this time it was Riley Swenson who was able to grab the ball for the Spartans. Garcea added two more free throws after being intentionally fouled and, with a four-point lead and 14.7 seconds to go, the game was essentially over.
“That was a very important game,” said Stanwood sophomore wing Ian Zipp, who had 12 points in two quarters of play. “We had to come out and win that.”
It wasn’t looking good early for the Spartans. In the opening quarter Monroe seemingly had its way on Stanwood’s court. The Bearcats shots fell into the hoop, and those that didn’t were quickly scooped up and thrown up again.
Aside from Cannen Roberson, who made both of his field-goal attempts, Stanwood struggled from the field, making just three field goals in the quarter.
“They’re a really good defensive team,” Ward said of the Bearcats. “And it might have been a bit of a carryover from last night.”
After the first quarter, which Ward called “a wakeup call,” the Spartans outscored Monroe by 11 points in the second quarter — limiting the Bearcats to just two field goals — and trailed 26-25 going into halftime. Afterward, Monroe padded its lead a little, until the fourth quarter came around.
Williams had seven of his game-high 19 points in the fourth period for Stanwood, all but his game-tying 3-pointer coming from the free-throw line. Six of Garcea’s eight came in the fourth, including what turned out to be the game-winning free throws.
“Brennan stepped up,” Ward said.
Ward also praised the play of Zipp, who swings back and forth between varsity and junior varsity. His 12 points — a good chunk of which came in the Spartans’ second-quarter run — were a big reason Stanwood was able to come back, the Spartans coach said.
“He’s had a little bit of a tough year,” Ward said. “He’s probably the one I’m most proud of.”
Terrance Day led Monroe, scoring 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Carl Bunge also had 15 points and snatched six rebounds for the Bearcats, who out-rebounded the Spartans 29-22.
“I think (the Bearcats) are pretty even across the board,” Ward said. “They got five guys out there that you have to guard.”
Stanwood was able to buckle down on defense after the first eight minutes, and make a game of it in the end.
“Defense and turnovers,” Zipp said was the difference between the first and subsequent quarters. “We played hard defense and made shots on offense.”
The win, coupled with a 59-57 Spartans’ victory on Dec. 19, gives Stanwood a two-game lead over Monroe in the standings with three games to play. The top four teams secure district playoff spots and Stanwood (7-4 league, 10-7 overall), Monroe (5-6, 9-8) and Arlington (6-6, 9-8) are fighting for the third and fourth seeds behind Snohomish and Lake Stevens.
“A win like that can propel you for sure,” Ward said. “We needed that.
“It’s huge having a two-game lead over them with three to play versus being tied with them. It’s big for our kids, but it’s not over yet.”
At Stanwood H.S.
Monroe2061611—53
Stanwood817923—57
Monroe—Bunge 15, Stevenson 2, Bingham 0, Turner 2, Day 15, Peloquin 2, Cochran 6, Trujillo 4, Houmann 7. Stanwood—M. Garcea 8, Thayer 3, Roberson 8, Stang 2, Zipp 12, B. Garcea 2, Esary 0, Swenson 1, Williams 19, Sears 2. 3-point goals—Bunge 3, Thayer 1, Roberson 2, Zipp 1, Williams 2. Records—Monroe 5-6 league, 9-8 overall. Stanwood 7-4, 10-7.
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