EVERETT — Looking for a fast start against Monroe on Saturday afternoon, the Cascade boys basketball team turned to Brevin Brown.
The 6-foot senior guard certainly answered the call.
Brown had 14 points through the first quarter and the early seconds of the second quarter as Cascade took a lead it never lost, and the Bruins went on to a 68-49 victory over the Bearcats in the second-place game of the District 1 tournament at Everett Community College.
The outcome advances Cascade to next weekend’s state regional round of the Class 4A state basketball tournament, with an opponent and game site to be announced.
Brown sank three free throws in a little over a minute to start the game, added a layin, and then had two 3-pointers later in the first period. He dropped in another 3-pointer to open the second quarter on his way to 16 first-half points, and he added 10 in the second half for a game-best 26 points, including five 3-pointers.
“It was a great night for him,” said second-year Cascade coach Darrell McNeal. “I talked to him before the game and he was feeling good. He was excited. … The inside-out game was working great for us. His teammates found him and he got some great looks.”
The Bruins opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run, giving them the first of two game-high 20-point leads in the period. But Monroe rallied to start the fourth quarter, drawing within 56-45 before Cascade pulled away down the stretch.
“I don’t know if this was our best game (of the season), but certainly it’s the most focused we’ve been in the (district) tournament,” Brown said. “We were so hungry to get a win, to survive and advance, and now we’re in the regionals.”
Saturday’s contest was the third of three straight loser-out games for the Bruins following a heartbreaking overtime loss to Jackson in the tournament semifinals. Knowing it was either win or be done, they responded with victories over Mariner, Kamiak and Monroe.
“We’re finishing strong because I think we’re more focused and things are starting to click now,” said McNeal, whose team improved to 15-10 after an 11-9 regular season. “We’re starting to come together as a team and it’s starting to look really nice. I’m proud of what we’re doing, I’m proud of their effort, I’m proud of how they’ve played, and it’s not over with.”
Guard Cameron McGrath added 15 points for Cascade, with all but two points coming at the free throw line. In the second quarter alone, McGrath made 10 straight free throws before missing his 11th in the late moments before halftime.
Forward Isaiah Gotell chipped in 14 points for the Bruins, including a powerful two-handed dunk on a breakaway late in the third quarter.
Monroe, which ended its season at 13-11, got 14 points from guard Alex Johnson, including three 3-pointers.
At Everett CC
Cascade 14 22 15 17 _ 68
Monroe 13 11 10 15 _ 49
Cascade_Trevon Blackmon 7, Simran Singh Takhar 0, Brevin Brown 26, Edis Hrustic 0, Cameron McGrath 15, Muhammed Kolly 0, Isaiah Gotell 14, Brennen Hancock 3, Justin Gordon 3, Tre Poole 0. Monroe_Alex Johnson 14, Andrew Chartrand 5, Braymer Shuey 0, Tyler Koontz 3, Trenton Newhouse 0, John Montero 2, Rhen Shore 4, Tristan Witham 6, Alex Spahman 2, Colby Kyle 5, Isaiah Cole 8, Devin Sepich 0.
3-point goals_Brevin Brown 5, Alex Johnson 3, Andrew Chartrand 1, Rhen Shore 1, Isaiah Cole 1.
Records_Cascade 15-10, Monroe 13-11.
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