Prep boys basketball: Squalicum 51, Archbishop Murphy 46

Published 9:59 pm Friday, February 11, 2011

EVERETT — Despite 19 points by senior guard Paris Felder, Archbishop Murphy suffered a 51-46 home-court loss to Squalicum in the opening round of the 2A District 1 tournament Friday.

Squalicum jumped on the Wildcats from the outset, taking a 17-7 lead before the second quarter even began. Archbishop Murphy head coach Jamar Williams thought that was the difference.

“We came out a little tight and didn’t execute very well,” Williams lamented. “That kind of buried us. It was a hole we couldn’t get out of even though we competed very well in the second, third and fourth (quarters).”

With Felder leading the way, Archbishop Murphy battled back gamely, eventually getting to within as few as two points but ultimately were unable to tie or take the lead.

“(Felder) had some big shots for us,” Williams said. “He hit a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter that brought us to within two (of the lead) but they were able to get some timely rebounds and close it out.

“Give the credit to them, though. They competed really well and outworked us on the boards all game.”

Zach Gordon scored 11 points and Zach Smith added 10 for the Wildcats, who play Lynden in a loser-out contest at Skagit Valley College on Monday.

At Archbishop Murphy H.S.

Squalicum 17 12 13 9 — 51

Archbishop Murphy 7 12 13 14 — 46

Squalicum—Herndon 0, Youtsey 0, Kurtz 8, Csohi 9, Chunphakiana 12, King 6, Qualls 7, Pierce 9, Mattix 0. Archbishop Murphy—Smith 10, Felder 19, DeGrazia 6, Gordon 11, Camp 0, Shober 0, Schireman 0, Haider 0, Anderson 0. 3-point goals—Kurtz 2, Chunphakiana 2, Pierce 2, Smith 1, Felder 3. Records—Squalicum 13-7 overall. Archbishop Murphy 14-6.