EVERETT — Drew Haugstad doesn’t look much like Ryan Appleby. But Haugstad sure pulled off an effective impersonation of the all-time Stanwood great.
Coming up with the performance of his life in a crucial league clash, Haugstad scored a career-high 32 points (including seven 3-point baskets) and helped launch the Stanwood High School boys basketball team to a 68-45 rout of the Cascade Bruins on Wednesday at Reg Scodeller gym.
Haugstad, a 5-foot-11 senior guard, came into the contest averaging 9.2 points per game. But he was locked on from the start against Cascade, scoring 22 with six 3s in the first half.
By the time Stanwood coach Zach Ward subbed out Haugstad for good with 2 minutes, 13 seconds to go in the fourth quarter, the Spartans had a 64-41 lead. Haugstad finished two 3s short of tying Appleby’s school single-game record.
“I’m happy for him. He’s a kid that’s put in a lot of time in the offseason and so far this year hasn’t had a lot of great shooting nights,” Ward said of Haugstad, whose previous single-game scoring high this season was 20 points. “It shows that eventually the hard work that you put in is going to pay off.”
The gap between second place and third place in the North is only one game, according to the standings. But on the court the difference was enormous.
Going into Wednesday’s game, Stanwood and Cascade were tied for second place behind first-place Lake Stevens (7-0 North, 8-3 overall). But Stanwood outscored the Bruins 33-13 in the middle quarters and rolled to the win, improving to 6-2 in division (6-6 overall).
“It feels good,” Haugstad said. “It feels like the way we should be playing and the way we played all summer and last (season). We’re just starting to get back into it.”
Stanwood played smart team defense and limited Cascade season leading scorer Chris McGrath to five points, all in the first half. McGrath, a senior guard, came in averaging 17.9 per game.
“I thought it was a group effort. Everybody was really aware of where he was. They did a great job of communicating with each other,” said coach Ward, whose team benefited from 20 Cascade turnovers.
“On paper, it looked like it would be pretty even,” Cascade coach Jamar Williams said. “But (Stanwood) just showed some mental and physical toughness that we don’t have yet. That team has been at districts (and has) played some big games.”
Junior forward Johnnie Hilliard (14 points) was the top scorer for Cascade, which fell to 5-3 (7-5).
Stanwood’s other top performers were senior post Zack Johnson (12 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, several blocked shots) and senior guard Kale Schmidt (10 points).
At the midpoint of the North season, Stanwood seems to be reaching its potential. But the Spartans know they must stay focused and keep improving.
“We’ve got to keep things in perspective. It’s only halfway through league. A win like (this) is great but we go play again Friday,” said coach Ward, whose team will host Everett (1-6, 3-8) that night.
Thanks mainly to effective ball movement and Haugstad’s hot hand, Stanwood took a 31-21 lead to halftime. Haugstad connected from all over the perimeter. He was especially effective in the first quarter, nailing four 3s and tallying 14 points.
With Haugstad carrying the scoring load, it didn’t matter that Stanwood’s season-leading scorers, Johnson (one point) and Schmidt (four points), combined to score just five points in the half. Playing tight defense that helped create nine Cascade turnovers, the Spartans outscored the Bruins 15-4 in the second period and were well on their way to victory.
At Cascade H.S.
Stanwood16151819—68
Cascade175915—45
Stanwood — Garcea 2, Haugstad 32, Reinecke 2, Schmidt 10, Johnson 12, J. Taylor 4, Cook 4, McCune 2, Jamieson, Schroyer. Cascade — Hilliard 14, McGrath 5, Garrett 12, McDaniels 5, Barton, Jackson, Cline 6, C. Taylor 3, Nelson. 3-point goals — Haugstad 7, McGrath 1, C. Taylor 1. Records — Stanwood 6-2 in division, 6-6 overall. Cascade 5-3, 7-5.
Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.
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