EVERETT — Ah, the wacky world of Western Conference South Division boys basketball.
Two weeks ago, postseason play for Edmonds-Woodway seemed as certain as February rain. Though they lost for the third time in four games — including Friday night’s 52-44 fall to Mariner — the Warriors got some help from Jackson to clinch a district playoff spot.
That’s been life in the South Division this season.
Shorewood, the team most publications picked to win the division, lost its first five league games. The Thunderbirds maintain a remote chance for postseason play heading into the final two games of the season despite sending E-W to the playoffs by losing to Jackson on Friday.
Mariner was 6-2 before a four-game losing streak put them on the brink. After winning their fourth straight on Friday, the Marauders — who were five games behind the Warriors two weeks ago — have a shot at a No. 2 seed to the playoffs behind Mountlake Terrace.
"This was a big win," said Mariner 6-foot-8 post Tommy Craddock, who scored a game-high 16 points in Mariner’s gym and matched teammate Aaron Cartwright with eight rebounds. "We need all the wins we can get."
Who doesn’t?
Edmonds-Woodway (11-5 in the division, 13-5 overall) won seven straight to finish out January with a 10-2 division record, needing only two victories or a combination of losses by other teams to clinch a postseason berth.
Mariner and Mukilteo School District-rival Kamiak — both 10-6 in the division — each can make the playoffs with a win or a Shorewood loss. The top three teams in the division earn a berth to the district tournament while the No. 4 team must play the North Division’s No. 5 for the final district berth.
A little defense helped Mariner’s cause on Friday. The typically stingy Marauders allowed 65 points per game in the four-game skid while losing by an average of 15. Since then, they haven’t given up more than 45.
"We made a commitment to get back to playing our game, which is defense," Mariner point guard Jerod Grant said. "We just had to find that niche we had in the beginning of the season."
Mariner led 50-38 with 27 seconds remaining, but the Warriors managed to make things interesting.
Jason Hopkins tipped in a teammate’s miss followed by two made free throws apiece from Huston Conti and Kyle Baeder for a 50-44 score with nine seconds to play. Hopkins chipped in 10 points while Mackenzie Thoms and Josh Griffin shared team-high honors with 11.
Craddock essentially ended the comeback bid by hitting a pair of free throws with six seconds to go.
"Tommy played well, offensively and defensively," said Mariner coach Dexter Griffen, whose team improved to 11-7 overall. "I was proud of his effort tonight."
The teams were tied at 14 after a quarter, but E-W went into an offensive funk in the second.
Mariner scored the first 11 points of the second quarter before the Warriors got their only two points of the period. Craddock scored seven points in the quarter to lead the Marauders to a 27-16 halftime lead. E-W missed eight of nine shots in the second quarter while Mariner made five of eight.
Wesley Burns, who scored seven points, converted a four-point play in the first period when he was fouled while shooting a 3-point shot.
Mariner sophomore Raymond Fry, who has spent most of the season on junior varsity, contributed eight points.
At Mariner H.S., Everett
Edmonds-Woodway—Thoms 11, Baeder 2, Conti 2, Griffin 11, Schaefer 4, Donaldson 1, Hopkins 10, Lester 3. Mariner—Tinned 7, Cartwright 8, Burns 9, Grant 2, Craddock 16, Hamilton 2, Fry 8. 3-point goals—Thoms 1, Griffin 3, Burns 2, Fry 2. JV score—E-W 52, Mariner 47. Records—Edmonds-Woodway 11-5 in division, 13-5 overall. Mariner 10-6, 11-7. |
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