SAN DIEGO — Midway through the fourth quarter, just one point separated the Lake Stevens and Chartiers Valley High School basketball teams.
Then T.J. McConnell took over.
Lake Stevens turned the ball over on three straight possessions and McConnell, a 6-foot senior guard, turned those miscues into eight points as Chartiers Valley pulled away for a 66-56 victory Monday at the Surf ’n Slam boys basketball tournament at Mission Bay High School.
“That three-possession stretch was a huge point in the game,” Lake Stevens coach Mark Hein said.
McConnell, who has signed to play next season at Duquesne University, finished with 39 points, including six 3-pointers. He scored 22 of his points in the second half.
“He hit a lot of free throws, created fouls, hit a lot of threes,” Hein said. “He was just tough off the dribble.”
The loss was the first of the season for the Vikings (6-1). Chartiers Valley, which is located in Bridgeville, Pa., improved to 7-0.
Lake Stevens led 38-32 at halftime, but Chartiers Valley rallied to take a 52-51 lead heading into the final period. McConnell then broke the game open with his 8-0 run, which included a pair of 3-pointers and a two-point basket.
Senior forward Shane Kaska finished with a double-double for the Vikings (21 points and 12 rebounds).
“He’s been our leading scorer and he played solid today,” Hein said of Kaska.
Aaron Maw added 12 points and Mike Schneider 11 for Lake Stevens.
Lake Stevens is one of three teams from the state of Washington at the tournament. The others are Bainbridge and Mount Si. The Vikings play Mount Si at 9 a.m. today in the consolation round.
At Mission Bay H.S.
Chartiers Valley15172014—66
Lake Stevens1622135—56
Chartiers Valley—Kuntz 6, Capers 0, Burda 5, McConnell 39, Noszka 9, Wallace 0, Cersosimo 7. Lake Stevens—Israel 0, Schneider 11, Hanson 8, Maw 12, Paulson 0, Jones 0, Dodge 2, Kaska 21, Vandegrift 2. 3-point goals—Burda 1, McConnell 6, Noszka 2, Hanson 2, Maw 2, Kaska 1. Records—Chartiers Valley 7-0. Lake Stevens 6-1.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
