GRANITE FALLS – They say familiarity breeds contempt, but at least one of the long-time locals says it isn’t so.
“It’s good to see these two schools still love each other,” the fan – Granite Falls class of 1966 – chuckled at the end of the latest chapter in a storied rivalry.
This one, Granite Falls’ thrilling 68-64 victory over the Sultan Turks in a hotly-contested Cascade Conference boys basketball game before an energized crowd, was surely as good as it gets.
The Tigers’ (6-1 in league, 12-1) eighth straight triumph was keyed by Josh Knudson (23 points) and Sean Counley (18 points, 15 rebounds).
The game was a physical battle with bodies flying around as fans sought to catch their collective breath at the breakneck pace.
“It was just clean, good hard basketball,” Granite Falls coach Keith Johnson said. “Nate’s (Trichler, Sultan coach) a great coach and his kids play hard.”
Trichler said he was not satisfied with the officiating.
“It seems like every time we come to Granite it’s a war,” Trichler said. “The officials let it be a war.
“I’m proud of my guys, but I really don’t have much to say.”
Counley scored eight of his points and grabbed a half-dozen rebounds in the third quarter when Granite Falls broke out of what had been a 26-26 first-half tie with a 20-6 run.
“He’s a warrior,” Johnson said. “He just plays hard, plays through pain and keeps going.”
Four free throws by Jesse Nicholes in the final minute of the third period helped Sultan (4-3, 6-5) to within 46-36 heading into the final period.
Sultan closed to within 56-53 on a driving lay-in by Jesse Nicholes (10 points) with 3:27 remaining in the game.
Knutson, who scored 10 points in the final period, answered with a driving bucket of his own and hit a pair of free throws to provide breathing space.
“At crunch time he came through,” Johnson said. “He handled the ball, made some shots and sank those free throws.”
“We knew it was gonna come down to this (our senior year),” Knutson said. “We’ve been battling each other since seventh grade. We knew they were gonna bring it.”
Sultan’s comeback bid was led by Jordan Nicholes, who scored nine of his team-high 22 points in the final period.
“He killed us driving to the basket, making shots and drawing fouls,” Johnson said. “He’s a heck of a player.”
Counley took a perfect touch pass from Jullian Gamache and threw down a thunderous two-handed jam to make the score 64-57 with two minutes remaining to essentially seal the Turks’ fate.
Sultan’s RJ Perkins hit a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and scored 15 points in the game.
Granite Falls trailed by nine points early in the second quarter after Sultan’s Beau Champeaux hit a 3-pointer.
The Tigers clawed their way back behind Alex DeNoma who scored eight points in the second period. DeNoma scored off an assist from Counley to knot the score at 26-26 by halftime.
Counley set the tone in the opening seconds of the third quarter with a bucket in the paint. Sultan’s Brett Johnson tied the score at 30-30 with just over six minutes to go in the period.
But, Counley made a jumper in the lane, a weak-side putback and an pair of free throws during the ensuing 16-2 run – a run aided by two technical fouls called on Sultan – that made the score 46-32 with a minute remaining in the period.
Johnson was proud of what he called a total team effort.
“We’re a team that needs nine guys to contribute or were in trouble,”
Johnson said. “We play pressure d and you get tired.”
“Everyone out there respected each other,” Johnson said. “There was a lot of heart and soul out there tonight…But, I think they’re looking forward to us coming there.
At Granite Falls H.S.
Sultan1791028-64
Granite Falls11152022-68
Sultan Webster 4, Johnson 4, Rudduck 2, Perkins 15, Champeaux 7, Je. Nicholes 10, Jo. Nicholes 22. Granite Falls Cuddeback 4, Knudson 23, Villegas 8, DeNoma 13, Counley 18, Londerville 2. 3-point goals Webster 1, Perkins 2, Champeaux 1. J.V. Result Granite Falls 44, Sultan 43. Records Sultan 4-3 in league, 6-5 overall. Granite Falls 6-1, 12-1.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
