Kamiakin big man proves too much for MP in regional loss

SHORELINE — In the end it was just too much Kyson Rose for the Marysville Pilchuck Tomahawks.

The Kamiakin High School boys basketball star dominated inside when it mattered most, and Marysville Pilchuck fell 81-71 in overtime in the teams’ Class 3A state regional game Saturday afternoon at Shorewood High School.

Marysville Pilchuck (21-3), the No. 3 seed, fell into a first-round game at state, where the Tomahawks will face No. 14 Central Kitsap at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome. Sixth-seeded Kamiakin (20-3) received a bye into Thursday’s quarterfinals.

Rose, a 6-foot-9 senior who’s headed to Central Washington University, finished with 33 points, 17 of those coming in the fourth quarter and overtime as the Braves fed the post over and over again when the game was on the line. Rose’s presence also played a big role in Marysville Pilchuck interior players Ethan Jackson and Aaron Kalab fouling out and being unavailable for most of overtime.

“He was the difference maker, for sure,” Marysville Pilchuck coach Bary Gould said about Rose. “They have a solid, athletic big guy who can catch it and score it. We tried to full front him, three-quarter front him, give back-side help, but he’s a problem.”

Luke Dobler scored 27 points, including three free throws with 8.5 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, to lead the Tomahawks. Cameron Stordahl added 17 points, while Kalab had 15 points and 10 rebounds despite giving up all kinds of size to the Braves inside.

Trey Arland scored 17 points and Messiah Jones had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Braves.

Marysville Pilchuck was at a size disadvantage throughout, with Kamiakin finishing with a 41-22 advantage on the boards. The Braves used that advantage, combined with the Tomahawks’ cold shooting from deep, to build a 20-7 first-quarter lead.

But Marysville Pilchuck’s shots began dropping in the second quarter, with back-to-back 3s by Dobler pulling the Tomahawks within a bucket at 26-24. It stayed close from there, and Marysville Pilchuck pulled ahead 52-50 heading into the fourth quarter.

Kamiakin responded by feeding Rose in the post and the Braves started to pull ahead, with Rose’s post move giving Kamiakin a 65-58 lead with two minutes remaining. But the Braves missed free throws down the stretch to keep the Tomahawks within striking distance, and when Dobler drew a foul while tossing up a 3 he was able to drain the free throws that sent it to OT.

However, Jackson fouled out at the end of regulation and Kalab fouled out 15 seconds into overtime, and the Tomahawks had no way to stop Rose and Jones in the post. Rose kicked it out to Arland for a 3 to make it 73-68 and there was no way back for Marysville Pilchuck.

Marysville Pilchuck’s Aaron Kalab makes a shot during the game against Kamiakan on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Shoreline, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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The Marysville Pilchuck bench watches nervously in overtime during the game against Kamiakan on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Shoreline, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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Kamiakin’s Messiah Jones outreaches Marysville Pilchuck’s Cameron Stordahl for the ball during the game against Kamiakan on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Shoreline, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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Marysville Pilchuck’s Luke Dobler drives to the hoop during the game against Kamiakan on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Shoreline, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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Marysville Pilchuck head coach Bary Gould yells out a play during the game against Kamiakan on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Shoreline, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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Marysville Pilchuck’s Luke Dobler scrambles for the ball with Kamiakin’s Kyson Rose during the game on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Shoreline, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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Marysville Pilchuck’s Cameron Stordahl becomes emotional during overtime during the game against Kamiakan on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Shoreline, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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