MONROE — Other teams are starting to notice Devon Greene. Maybe it just doesn’t matter.
Greene led the Snohomish County Explosion in scoring for the fifth time in five games, as they came from behind to beat the defending International Basketball League champion Bellingham Slam 114-111.
The Explosion (3-2) trailed Bellingham 103-93 with just under five minutes remaining when things started to turn.
Weakley called a timeout to motivate his team. Apparently, it worked.
The Explosion went on a 12-0 run to take a 105-103 lead with 2:19 remaining in the game, their first lead since the second quarter.
After the teams traded points for nearly two minutes, the game was decided in the final 30 seconds, after Bellingham (4-2) had taken a 111-110 lead on a dunk.
Explosion forward Johnny Hardwick was fouled going the basket with 22.7 seconds remaining. Hardwick made the first of two free throws, and missed the second, but was able to come up with the rebound. Richard Ford was fouled with 11.2 seconds left, he knocked down one of two to give the Explosion a 112-111 lead.
Bellingham tried to come down the court for a last second shot, but Greene came up with a steal, which he took for a dunk at the buzzer and the Explosion victory.
“I think the whole league better wake up,” Explosion coach Chris Weakley said. “We’re figuring out how to win.”
Greene came out on fire in the first quarter, scoring 13 points. However, he was slowed in the second quarter after getting into foul trouble. He finished with 16 in the first half.
The Slam kept him relatively quiet in the third quarter, with just seven points, but he came on strong down the stretch to score 14 in the fourth quarter to finish with 37 points.
“That’s Devon, that’s just Devon,” Weakley said after the game.
With Greene scoring 35 points or more in every game the Explosion has played, teams are certainly taking note.
“Yeah, they are trying. How we play in our system I am always going to have the ball in my hands,” Greene said of the opponent’s efforts to stop him. “There is really nothing they can do to stop me from getting that many points.”
Jason Hicks also had 23 points for the Explosion, and Ford chipped in 19, Anthony Slater had 14 assists. Tyler Amaya led the Slam with 24 points.
The Explosion will look to continue their winning ways on Friday when they travel to Bellingham to take on the slam again. Saturday, they will be back at home to host Japan. Tip time for both games is 7:15.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
