The Explosion blows up

Published 11:26 pm Saturday, April 19, 2008

MONROE — Nothing induces a meltdown like a relentless Chinook wind.

The Portland Chinooks swirled back from a 20-point third-quarter deficit and stunned the Snohomish County Explosion 129-127 in overtime in an International Basketball League game at Monroe High School on Saturday night.

“My heart is still pumping,” Portland coach Terrance Dickens said. “Lord, I’ve got to give it to my guys.”

The Explosion (5-5) led 89-73 after three quarters, but flailed on both ends of the floor as Portland threw down 11 shots from beyond the 3-point line in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Portland’s Larry Smith (23 points) scored 17 in the fourth quarter and overtime, keyed by five of his game-high seven 3-pointer’s. The Chinooks’ Marc Williams (25 points) scored 13 during the same critical stretch and Kenny Tate led all scorers with 29 points.

Smith knocked down a pair of 3-pointer’s in the waning seconds to forge a 115-115 tie through regulation. His 3-pointer with 2:47 remaining in overtime provided the Chinooks with a 125-118 margin the Explosion could not overcome. Smith’s driving lay-in in the waning seconds closed the deal.

“Our same old nemesis — defense,” Snohomish County coach Randy Redwine said.

But, that wasn’t all that was bothering Redwine after a game that got away despite a 65-44 rebounding bulge.

“I need a point guard,” Redwine said. “Jamal (Miller) is a good point guard who can score or whatever, but I need someone who is going to run this team. … I’m getting me a point guard, that’s number one. And then I’m going to change the lineup.”

Miller (18 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, no turnovers) was not the only player singled out for Redwine’s ire.

“Donald (Watts) hurt us (with turnovers),” Redwine said of Watts (13 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, six turnovers).

After trailing briefly in the first quarter, Snohomish County managed to forge a seven-point lead by halftime thanks to its 28-17 rebounding edge and 37 combined points by Chris Weakley (16), Chris Keller (11) and Miller (10).

Watts played his usual tenacious defense, had five rebounds, three assists but no points through the first two periods. The former University of Washington standout — who turned 31 on Friday — erupted for eight points in the opening minutes of the third quarter to spark a 16-4 run and a 74-55 Explosion lead.

After playing the entire third quarter, Watts sat for nearly six minutes of the fourth and the Chinooks took advantage, pulling to within 100-98 on Devin Smith’s leaner in the lane with 5:31 remaining.

Larry Smith’s 3-pointer with 10.3 seconds to play in regulation got the Chinooks to overtime.

At Monroe H.S.

Portland2427224214129

Snohomish Co.2434312612127

Portland — D. Smith 11, Tate 29, Williams 25, Stephens 11, Martin 9, Robinowitz 9, L. Smith 23, Toboni 4, Fisher 8. Snohomish County — James 6, Gwynn 2, Jones 2, Watts 13, Keller 19, Miller 18, Weakley 23, Wright 4, Blackburn 13, White 19, Adams 2, Curry 6. 3-point goals — Williams 2, Martin 3, Robinowitz 3, Smith 7, Fisher 1, Watts 1, Keller 5, Miller 3, Weakley 3, Blackburn 1. Records — Portland 3-4, Snohomish County 5-5. Attendance — 914.