Jackson rallies past Kamiak in pivotal league matchup

MUKILTEO — The Jackson boys basketball team took its first lead of the game with 53.9 seconds to go in its contest against Kamiak.

Then it took all the Timberwolves had to hold off the Knights and maintain that lead.

Jackson senior Dolan Tierney made three key free throws after both defenses shined in the final period to lead the Timberwolves to a 50-47 Wesco 4A victory Friday night at Kamiak High School.

“That’s what high school basketball is all about,” Johnson said. “We stayed the course. We kept working, kept getting defensive stops and rebounding and kind of chipped away.”

Kamiak started the game with an 8-0 run and led throughout the contest until the final minute when Yegor Gorbenko gave Jackson a 47-45 advantage with a pair of free throws. Tierney added two more points 30 seconds later and one final free throw with seven seconds remaining to complete Jackson’s comeback.

“I think we kind of settled down and got back into it. We went from 14 to seven and kept chipping away,” Johnson said. “… Really, you’ve got to approach it like there’s no 14-point plays, there’s no seven-point plays. You’ve got to just keep chipping away.”

The Timberwolves, who trailed by as many as 14 in the contest, tied the score at 45 on a basket by Brian Brown with 3:52 to go in the game.

After Brown’s basket, neither team scored until Gorbenko’s free throws about three minutes later gave the lead to Jackson (12-1 league, 14-5 overall), which outscored the Knights 13-4 in the final period.

“It was certainly a struggle there in the fourth quarter for both teams,” Johnson said. “It was like, ‘Who’s going to make a basket here?’ It seemed like a really long time (without a score).” Sam Saufferer led all scorers with 16 points and fellow junior Colton Faddis added 12 points and eight rebounds for Jackson (12-1 league, 14-5 overall), which had already clinched a first-round bye in the upcoming 4A District 1 tournament.

“He’s had a great year,” Johnson said of Faddis. “He’s had several double-digit rebounding games — he’s around that double-double every night. He just works so hard. … He’s been great. He’s given us that inside presence. He has done a real nice job. He got a lot of rebounds when we really needed them.”

Johnson said Friday’s contest provided a good example of how tough each game is going to be in the postseason.

“Obviously, as you can tell from that game, the playoffs are going to be a slugfest,” Johnson said. “At the beginning of the year, I thought there would be a ton of close games this year. We’ve been fortunate to get our fair share of them.”

Like Jackson, Kamiak has had several close games this season as well. In Friday night’s, Knights head coach Cory West attributed the fast start to the emotions surrounding senior night and the slow finish to the Jackson defense forcing turnovers by Kamiak.

“Senior night always helps. It gets electric on senior night. Things just fall into place,” West said. “I’ve been in a lot of senior nights and on senior night things seem to click early. But it’s not about who does it early. The slow turtle wins the race.”

Gavin Patrick led a balanced scoring attack for Kamiak (6-7, 10-9) with 12 points and seven rebounds. West highlighted his seniors, guard Chance Lord (four points and five rebounds) and wing Andrew Foote (seven points and four rebounds), who battled in the final home game of their Knights’ careers.

“My two seniors: Chance Lord, Andrew Foote. I don’t even know the scorebook. I don’t really pay attention unless I’m calling The Herald,” West said. “They left it all on the court. The good thing about it is it’s not their last game. My seniors are everything.

“This time of year I want our guys playing our hearts out, which I felt they did. Just came up short.”

At Kamiak H.S.

Jackson 11 15 11 13 —50

Kamiak 16 17 10 4 —47

Jackson—Frank Rossi 6, Dolan Tierney 3, Brian Brown 6, Markus Sullivan 0, Yegor Gorbenko 7, Connor Marschall 0, Ethan Hammond 0, Parker Manalo 0, Sam Saufferer 16, Colton Faddis 12. Kamiak—Carson Tuttle 2, Chance Lord 4, Jase Wiley 3, Marcell McQueen Jr. 7, Coleman Grayson 10, Gavin Patrick 12, Andrew Foote 7, Keller Whitney 0, Nate Shubert 2. 3-point goals—Gorbenko 1, Saufferer 2, Wiley 1, McQueen Jr. 1. Records—Jackson 12-1 league, 14-5 overall. Kamiak 6-7, 10-9.

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.