Mariner boys pass by Terrace, 46-42

By Christopher Taylor

Herald Writer

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE – At the end of the game some of the spectators stood up and cheered “We’re number one.”

Most would have expected them to be the Mountlake Terrace fans cheering as their team led the Western Conference South Division. entering Tuesday’s game. But it was the Mariner faithful as their team held off Mountlake Terrace 46-42 at Mountlake Terrace to take over the division lead.

Mariner got key second-half contributions from senior center Scott Grondahl, who scored eight of his team-high 12 points in the second half, and junior guard Jamal Quinn, who scored all 10 of his points in the second half.

Mountlake Terrace was led by senior guard Ryan Webb who scored a game-high 18 points.

“I thought our kids played outstanding basketball tonight,” said an excited Mariner coach, Dexter Griffin. “I thought our team defense was great. We can savior the win for tonight, but we will need to get ready for Friday’s game.”

The Marauders (8-3 league, 9-4 overall), winners of seven straight games, took a 35-29 lead with 6:54 to go after Quinn made back-to-back 15-foot jumpers. The Hawks (8-4, 9-5) battled back and cut the lead to 39-36 with 2:47 to play after Webb scored on a steal and subsequent layup.

Mariner then held the ball on offense forcing Mountlake Terrace to eventually foul. Quinn made one of two free throws with 56 seconds remaining, extending Mariner’s lead to 43-38. After two more Mariner free throws by Josh Olson made the score 45-38 with 44 seconds to play, Mountlake Terrace made a last-ditch effort to come back. Webb scored on a 12-foot shot with 36 seconds to play, and Dan Boxley converted on a layup with 22 seconds to go, cutting the visitors lead to 45-42.

A Mariner turnover on an inbounds play gave Mountlake Terrace a final attempt to tie the score with a 3-point basket, but missed.

Quinn made one of two free throws with one second left for the 46-42 final score.

“I thought we played good defense and held them off at the end,” said Quinn. “I challenged myself at halftime to do better. I knew I could do well.”

Both teams entered the game averaging more than 52 points a game. However both teams shot poorly in the first half with Mariner taking a 19-16 lead at halftime.

Mariner took an early 6-0 lead after Grondahl hit a 16 foot at 5:54 in the first quarter. Mountlake Terrace did not score their first points until Boxley scored with 3:52 remaining in the first quarter, making the score 6-2.

We knew that this game was going to be a gutbuster because both teams play good defense,” said Mountlake Terrace coach Nalin Sood. “Quinn played great in the second half and (Forrest) Woodley and Grondahl caused problems inside for us. We have six games left, it will be interesting to see how our guys respond.”