Stanwood tops Everett

Spartans win early-season battle

By AARON COE

Herald Writer

STANWOOD — Who is this Josh Ellingson guy anyway?

Friday night’s game in a packed Stanwood gym featured several players with healthy resumes, but it was the 27 points and 17 rebounds of non-starter Ellingson that propelled Stanwood to a 74-61 Western Conference 3A boys basketball victory over the Seagulls.

Everett’s usual suspects — Reggie Limar (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Josh Daniels (20 points, seven rebounds) — kept the Seagulls close for much of the contest.

Stanwood’s tandem of Ryan Appleby (13 points, 12 assists) and Marcus Steele (18 points, nine rebounds) also put forth their typical performances.

In an early-season game between two teams that tied for the league championship last season, it was Ellingson who proved to be the difference.

"Josh loves playing against Reggie," Stanwood coach Nate DuChesne said. "They know each other off the floor, and it’s a huge challenge for him. He gave us a huge boost off the bench."

The game had a playoff-type atmosphere in what was the first conference game of the season for both teams.

The Seagulls stayed with unbeaten Stanwood (5-0, 1-0 in the conference), but Everett (3-2, 0-1) ran out of gas in the waning moments of the fast-paced game.

"We came together as a family at the end," Ellingson said. "Everett is a good team. It was a battle."

The score was tied 30-30 at halftime, and 46-46 late in the third quarter.

The Spartans used a 13-5 run to pull ahead by eight points with four minutes remaining in the game.

Everett’s Brian Price stole the ball away from Stanwood and drove to the hoop to pull the Seagulls within five, 61-55, with three minutes remaining.

But Ellingson, a 6-foot-3 forward, finished off the Seagulls by scoring six points as Stanwood outscored Everett 8-5 and pulled ahead 68-59 with 1:26 remaining.

After a pair of free throws by Daniels, Stanwood closed the game with six consecutive points.

"This was a really big win for us," Ellingson said. "We came together and got it done."

Nerves seemed to be a factor in the early moments of the contest. Daniels drilled two 3-point goals to provide the only scoring in the first 4:30.

Ellingson contributed a hook shot, a layup and a 3 as Stanwood took a 13-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Ellingson’s layup capped a 9-0 Stanwood run as Stanwood took a 30-23 advantage with two minutes left in the half. During the run, Appleby delighted Stanwood fans by circling the ball around his body at high speed before delivering the ball to Steele for an easy basket.

Everett used seven straight points to close out the half and even the score at 30.

Limar’s three-point play put Everett up 34-32 with 5:34 remaining in the third, but Everett would not lead again.

Jihad Ahmad, who started the second half because of his solid play in the second quarter, stole the ball and tied the score at 46 with a layup. Appleby then gave the Spartans the lead for good with his third 3-pointer of the game.

DuChesne said the Spartans are not looking ahead to the next meeting with Everett, but he does know exactly how many games Stanwood plays before then.

"We have six league games before we play them again," DuChesne said. "We have to focus on one game at a time and continue to get better."


Everett

12

13

18

16

61

Stanwood

5

13

17

21

74


Everett—Ahmad 9, Price 6, Daniels 20, Bjella 4, Limar 22. Stanwood—Reed 4, Parks 7, Appleby 13, Ali 5, Steele 18, Ellingson 27. 3-point goals—Ahmad 1, Price 1, Daniels 3, Parks 1, Appleby 3, Ali 1, Steele 1, Ellingson 1. JV score—Stanwood 62, Everett 54. Records—Everett 0-1 in league, 3-2 overall. Stanwood 1-0, 5-0.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

The Edmonds-Woodway bench reacts to a foul call during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 10

Warriors win battle of division champs.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Perfect week no help to Gonzaga

An unbeaten week against a pair of middle- to lower-tier West Coast… Continue reading

LeBron James (23) and Luka Doncic (77) of the Los Angeles Lakers look on as John Collins (20) of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Lakers’ LeBron James and Luka Doncic hit the ground running

LeBron James and Luka Doncic represent different generations and… Continue reading

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) smiles as head coach Nick Sirianni holds up the Lombardi trophy after they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Eagles overwhelm Chiefs to win the Super Bowl

The Philadelphia Eagles perhaps did not vanquish the Kansas… Continue reading

Coach Derek Lopez (far right) and the Lake Stevens boys' wrestling team celebrates with their championship trophy at the WIAA 4A District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School on Feb. 8, 2025.
Lake Stevens boys capture district wrestling title

The Vikings had 17 state-qualifiers; second-place Arlington led with five weight class winners

Edmonds-Woodway wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys wrestling roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Edmonds-Woodway boys wins Wesco 3A South wrestling title.

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Tulalip Heritage boys advance to district title game.

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.