Foul call costs Darrington boys

By Dan Sargent

Herald Writer

SHORELINE – A tough last-minute call proved costly to the Darrington boys basketball team Saturday.

Cedar Park Christian captured the Class B tri-district championship with a 49-47 victory over the Loggers at King’s H.S. when Ben Norton made two free throws after a pushing foul was called on the Loggers away from the ball with 3.3 seconds left in the game.

Both teams advanced to next week’s state tournament at Spokane.

Darrington was ahead by 16 points with 1:30 left in the third quarter and looked like it would cruise home with the championship. Then Cedar Park Christian caught fire as Darrington froze.

Cedar Park Christian proceeded to run off 19 straight points and with every point the crowd got louder. The Eagles took the lead 45-42 as Darrington was held scoreless for 6 minutes and 45 seconds.

Darrington’s Evan Smith finally stopped the bleeding by driving to the hoop and making a basket bringing the Loggers within one. Smith, who was fouled on the play, missed the free throw and an opportunity to tie the score.

Zack Larson hit two foul shots with a 1:31 left to again put Cedar Park Christian up by three at 47-44.

Darrington’s Jared Grimmer forced a steal and drove down the court for a lay-up and a foul shot with 47 seconds left. Grimmer tied the score at 47-47.

“They were down 16 to Neah Bay in the third quarter on Tuesday,” Darrington coach Jeff Bryson said of Cedar Park Christian. “And we came to the huddle all pretty happy, I told them these guy have come back before. Cedar Park is resilient, they made plays when they were down and kept their composure.

“These two teams are probably as good as anyone out there,” Bryson said. “They know they can play with the best.”

Ronnie McCoy led Darrington with 13 points. Teamate Bryce Boyd had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Smith finished with 10 points.

Norton led Cedar Park Christian with 11. Teammates Larson and Steve Campbell finished with 10 each.