Stanwood ekes out win over Shorewood

SHORELINE — Though Thursday night’s regular-season finale at Shorewood High School would have no effect on league standings. Both the Stanwood and Shorewood boys basketball teams played like it was do or die.

The Spartans came in to perhaps the last game at Shorewood gym — a new one is being built in the offseason along with the school remodel — and eked out a 61-57 victory on the Thunderbirds’ senior night.

Stanwood (12-1 league, 15-5 overall) showed why it will be the top seed out of the Wesco 3A North. It’s a distinction that Stanwood had long since wrapped up mathematically, but the night’s result may remind the glut of strong teams in the South that the Spartans will be a force in the 3A District 1 playoffs that begin next week.

Stanwood showed everything a coach could want Thursday, including explosive scoring, tough defense, and most importantly responding to adversity. They also showed some things a coach never wants to see, however, which is what set up the late-game drama.

The Spartans raced to a 24-9 lead, hitting a buzzer-beating 3 at the end of the first quarter. But they came out of the locker room at half and couldn’t find a field goal, allowing Shorewood to claw back into the game and tie.

“The kids did a super job of overcoming that,” coach Zach Ward said of a 6-minute stretch when his team went without a bucket during the third quarter.

Stanwood looked like it was asserting itself again early in the fourth quarter when the Spartans pushed the lead to seven on a pair of Cannen Roberson free throws with 4:25 to go to make the score 53-46. Roberson lead the team with 16 points on the night.

On a night when Shorewood seniors Ben Andrews and Washington State-bound Josh Hawkinson were honored in a pregame ceremony, junior guard Taylor Freeman nearly stole the spotlight. The 6-foot-1 guard scored 10-consecutive points for the T-birds including eight in a 1:22 stretch to pull to within one point. He finished third on the team with 14.

Spartan junior Josh Thayer stemmed the T-Bird tide with a pair of buckets and some pressure defense and Shorewood would get no closer. Thayer was second on the team with 15 points but Ward pointed out that his ball pressure was huge in the final minutes on the other end of the court.

“I think he’s the best defender in the league,” the Stanwood coach said. “He put tremendous pressure on them.”

With ball in hand and a one-possession game, Shorewood twice committed turnovers in the final minute. Thayer forced a backcourt violation with 29 seconds to play. Still, due to a couple missed Spartan free throws, Hawkinson, who lead all scorers with 18 points hit a contested 18-foot jumper to make the score 59-57 with nine ticks left.

After a quick foul by Shorewood, Spartan senior Mason Garcea earned half of his points on the night by calmly sinking two free throws to end it.

The result of Hawkinson and Andrews’ final night at home may leave a bad taste in their mouths, but certainly not the senior duo’s effort.

Hawkinson picked up two fouls in the first 3 minutes and 2 seconds and took a seat on the bench. From his second foul until under two minutes remained in the quarter, Stanwood reeled off a 12-3 spurt, featuring five points in under 15 seconds from Roberson.

With its star center on the bench Andrews provided the leadership to a team that looked like it didn’t know where to turn without it’s top scorer. Andrews finished with 17 points.

“He definitely led the charge to come back and let us get back in the ball game,” Shorewood coach Ben Scheffler said.

Hawkinson showed his value almost more by not playing. As the T-birds were reeling with him on the bench, the 6-foot-9 post came back and made his impact especially rebounding in the third quarter and kept the Spartans to one attempt a number of times late in the game.

“Josh and Ben have meant the world to this program,” Scheffler said. “They are such great kids. They’ve worked so hard. They’ve done everything we asked this year. I Just hope we can be playing quite a few more games with those guys.”

Shorewood (9-4, 14-6), which at one point led the Wesco 3A South standings, closed the regular season with three consecutive losses — but to three teams that they will surely see again during the upcoming playoffs: Terrace, Glacier Peak and Stanwood. Mountlake Terrace also defeated Glacier Peak Thursday in a match up of the T-Birds previous two opponents.

Ward said that it was odd to have a crossover game like this to end the season but he and his staff used it as an opportunity to prepare like the one was beginning of the playoffs since the level of play will likely be the same.

“We treated this like the first round of districts,” Ward said. “It’s good for us to play a team that good.”

At Shorewood H.S.

Stanwood2410720—61

Shorewood9151518—57

Stanwood—M. Garcea 4, Thayer 15, Roberson 16, Stang 9, Zipp 2, B. Garcea 4, Hushagen 5, Sears 6. Shorewood—Freeman 14, Mar 4, Hopen 4, Gronvold 0, Andrews 17, Rattray 0, Hawkinson 18, Boone 0, Michael 0. 3-point goals—Thayer, Roberson, Hushagen, Andrews, Freeman. Records—Stanwood 12-1 league, 15-5 overall. Shorewood 9-4, 14-6.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.