TACOMA — The Glacier Peak boys basketball team racked up an array of accomplishments this season, earning a conference title, district crown and the program’s first trip to the Tacoma Dome since 2011.
But the Grizzlies’ successful run came to an end Wednesday with a nightmarish offensive performance.
No. 7-seed Glacier Peak managed just 14 first-half points and suffered a season-ending 53-35 loss to No. 10-seed Kennedy Catholic in a Class 4A state first-round game in the Tacoma Dome.
“Unfortunately, I think we maybe played our worst game of the year today,” Glacier Peak coach Brian Hunter said. “Everybody who loses today probably will say that, but I do feel like that’s just not a true example of how we play.
“I know the kids feel it. They don’t feel great about how they played today. But they should be proud of what they accomplished (this season). They accomplished so much.”
Kennedy Catholic (20-7) limited Glacier Peak to a season-low 35 points, nearly 25 below the Grizzlies’ season average.
Glacier Peak (19-5) finished just 23.2 percent from the field — including 3 of 24 (12.5 percent) from 3-point range — and missed six consecutive free throws during one of two lengthy first-half scoring droughts.
The Lancers boast a strong defensive unit, allowing only 53 points per game, but the Grizzlies’ struggles also were self-inflicted. Glacier Peak committed numerous turnovers in the first half and was crippled all game by cold shooting.
“Just out of sync, for whatever reason,” Hunter said of his team’s offensive performance. “Throughout the season, we’ve turned the ball over very little. We’ve shot a great percentage all year. And I think for whatever reason today — sometimes it just happens.
“You’ve got to give credit to Kennedy for some of that,” he added. “But I just think, for whatever reason, we just did not play the way that we’ve been playing all year.”
Kennedy Catholic senior Emilio Mancol, a speedy 5-foot-9 guard, scored nine of his game-high 16 points in the first quarter and finished with three 3-pointers.
“He’s the best guard we’ve played all year,” Hunter said. “Very good shooter, makes plays. He did what a senior leader does. I was very impressed with him.”
Kennedy Catholic senior guard Keannu Royster added 13 points and senior Matthew Sasonoff scored 10 for the Lancers, who have won 15 of their last 17 games and will face top-seeded Union in the quarterfinals.
Kennedy Catholic gained separation with a pair of 8-0 first-half runs, capping the latter with back-to-back 3-pointers to build a 23-10 lead shortly before halftime. The Lancers finished 8 of 14 from beyond the arc.
Glacier Peak, after trailing by double digits for most of the contest, trimmed the lead to eight points early in the fourth quarter when senior guard Austin Petz came up with a steal and lay-in. But Kennedy Catholic quickly answered, rattling off 11 consecutive points to extend its lead to 49-30 and put the game out of reach.
“We just didn’t execute,” said Glacier Peak junior Bobby Martin, who scored a team-high 12 points. “We didn’t make open shots. … Definitely one of the worst games our group has ever had. It was just disappointing to end it like that.”
Although the ending was rough, Hunter praised his team for its accomplishments and his seniors for their impact on the program.
“I think they set a great standard for the guys to continue,” Hunter said. “We’re such a young school, but all of our teams have had success, and this is their own success. They left their own mark on how we play. They should be extremely proud of what they accomplished this season.”
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