Jackson jumps on Monroe

MILL CREEK — The first time the Jackson boys basketball team played Monroe this season, the Timberwolves needed a basket in the final seconds by senior Dolan Tierney to lock up the win.

There was no such drama on Friday.

Monroe scored the game’s first points and Jackson responded with a 14-0 run and never looked back en route to a 64-49 win over the Bearcats.

“I thought we were pretty solid defensively,” Jackson head coach Steve Johnson said. “They’re a good, balanced team. They’ve got some good inside guys. I thought the difference was defense. We challenged shots better.”

After allowing the game’s opening basket, Jackson held the Bearcats scoreless for more than five minutes and led 16-9 after the first quarter. The Timberwolves were even better defensively in the second quarter, holding Monroe to seven points and taking a 25-16 lead into the locker room.

While Jackson’s defense was clicking in the first half, its offense struggled and the Bearcats remained within striking distance.

That changed in the third quarter.

The Timberwolves opened the second half with a 17-5 run to extend their lead to 42-21.

“I thought we shot the ball a little bit better than the first time that we played them,” Johnson said. “We got some looks in transition much better than the first time we played them. Those two things are linked. If you force tough shots and you rebound well, then you can get out and run and I think we’re more effective when we can get some points in the open floor.”

Senior forward Yegor Gorbenko led Jackson’s run, scoring seven of the Timberwolves’ 17 points. He also scored 12 of Jackson’s 25 points in the first half.

“Offensively, I just have a lot of confidence,” Gorbenko said. “(At) the end of the season, I just feel like I can score as good as anybody in the league.”

Gorbenko finished with a game-high 21 points.

“He’s always had a lot of offensive skills and I think (he has) the confidence to kind of put it all together,” Johnson said. “He’s still working to be consistent defensively and with rebounding, but he’s getting better there. Offensively, ever since late December he’s gotten a lot more confident and I think he’s been able to show the ability he has offensively.”

The Timberwolves nearly matched their first-half total of 25 points with 22 in the third quarter.

“We had transition baskets in the third quarter,” Johnson said. “I thought we pushed the ball and we turned good defense into offense a little bit better than we had prior, certainly better than the first half.”

Jackson held a comfortable 47-26 lead after three quarters and extended its advantage to 55-30 with 5:25 remaining, but the Bearcats had one more run in them. Monroe scored 10 unanswered points to cut Jackson’s lead to 55-40. Lapses like the one the Timberwolves had in the fourth quarter have been a problem at times this season.

“We’re still working on it,” Johnson said. “Obviously, I haven’t solved that as of yet, but the good news is we played at a pretty high level to give us a little bit of a cushion.”

The Bearcats closed the difference to 12 points with 2:20 to play on a 3-pointer by senior Rhen Shore, but that’s as close as they would get.

Jackson suffered its first loss to a league opponent in more than 50 games — a streak dating back to 2012 — with its loss to Snohomish last week, but the Timberwolves have rebounded with back-to-back wins and still hold a one-game lead over the Panthers with three league games to play.

“It’s nice that we brushed that off and kind of went back to work,” Johnson said. “I think we’ve got a tough week next week with Cascade and Kamiak and we’ve got to keep working and keep improving our weaknesses.”

Jackson 64, Monroe 49

At Jackson H.S.

Monroe 9 7 10 23 —49

Jackson 16 9 22 17 —64

Monroe—Andrew Chartrand 0, Tyler Koontz 0, Alex Johnson 6, Devin Sepich 5, Rhen Shore 12, Alex Spahman 14, Tristan Witham 0, Colby Kyle 0, Trenton Newhouse 8, John Montero 2, Braymer Shuey 0, Isiah Cole 2. Jackson—Frank Rossi 9, Dolan Tierney 4, Ian Willgress 0, Brian Brown 6, Markus Sullivan 0, Yegor Gorbenko 21, Connor Marschall 4, Ethan Hammond 0, Parker Manalo 1, Sam Saufferer 10, Colton Faddis 9. 3-point goals—Shore 2, Johnson 2, Gorbenko 2, Saufferer 1, Rossi 1. Records—Monroe 7-4 league, 9-8 overall. Jackson 10-1, 12-5.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

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

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck 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)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (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.