UPDATE: Boys basketball game thread: Mariner vs. Mountlake Terrace

Final score: Mariner 59, Mountlake Terrace 44

MILL CREEK — Guard Michael Minor scored 11 of his game-high 17 points in the pivotal second half, leading the Mariner High School boys basketball team to a 59-44 triumph over the Mountlake Terrace Hawks tonight in the Class 4A District 1 tournament championship at Jackson High.

“We finally got it. I’ve been in like three or four (district championships) and we never showed up. Tonight we showed up,” said Dexter Griffen, Mariner’s 11th-year coach.

The Marauders (19-4) outscored Terrace 35-23 over the final two quarters and earned the program’s first district crown since the mid-1980s.

“It feels good, especially because Dexter’s been at Mariner a long time,” said Minor, who hit two deep 3-pointers in the third quarter, “and we just had to get him a district championship before he leaves.”

Both teams had already qualified for the upcoming 4A state tournament at the Tacoma Dome. Posts Nick Malysheff and Damascus Purnell scored 12 points apiece for Mariner, which earned the district’s No. 1 seed; Terrace (17-6), led by Ryan Sells’ 15 points, is the No. 2 seed.

During the regular season, Terrace beat Mariner twice. The teams were 15-3 in league games and part of a three-way atop the Wesco South with 3A Meadowdale.

At Jackson H.S.

Mariner1591718-59

Mountlake Terrace11101310-44

Mariner: Minor 17, Doerscher 8, Dillon 5, Malysheff 12, Purnell 12, McCulloch, Yusuf, Kiehl 5, Zerahaimanot, Coles. Mountlake Terrace: J. Sells 3, Clingan 7, R. Sells 15, Strieby 8, Stracener 8, Champoux 3, Estrada, Lechtenberg. 3-point goals-Minor 2, Doerscher 1, Kiehl 1, R. Sells 1, Champoux 1. Records-Mariner 19-4. Mountlake Terrace 17-6.

*****

Fourth quarter update: Mariner 55-44 with 2:41 to go

Mariner has been solid from the free-throw line and has started to pull away. The Maruaders are 9 for 13 at the foul line this quarter.

It looks like Mariner might finally beat Terrace this season, in its third attempt.

*****

End of third quarter: Mariner 41, Mountlake Terrace 34

Sometimes when a player gets in foul trouble he plays really tentative. Not Mariner’s Minor.

The senior guard erupted for eight points in the third quarter, including two pure 3s from the left wing. He helped Mariner outscore Terrace 17-13 in the period. Can the Hawks rally?

*****

Halftime score: Mariner 24, Mountlake Terrace 21

After leading by as many as seven points in the second quarter, Mariner has a three-point cushion at the intermission. Minor leads the Marauders with six points, but he was whistled for his third foul in the final minute of the half. If he has to sit on the bench for awhile it will really hurt Mariner.

Terrace suffered through a scoring drought of 3 minutes, 2 seconds in the second period and fell behind 21-14. But Karsten Strieby and Jaykob Sells helped the Hawks get back in it. They combined for the first two baskets during a 5-0 Terrace scoring run.

Terrace’s top scorer so far is Strieby (six points). The Hawks committed 10 turnovers in the first half and shot 8 of 16 from the field. Mariner has only three turnovers and is shooting 10 for 23.

*****

End of first quarter: Mariner 15, Mountlake Terrace 11

The atmosphere is intense here, fueled by large, vocal student sections.

So far Mariner fans have had more to cheer about. The Marauders generated a 9-4 scoring burst to end the first period. Michael Minor and Damascus Purnell had four points apiece.

Terrace committed six turnovers, most of them because of Mariner’s pressure defense. But, really, both teams are playing impressive defense. No points are coming easily.

Terrace post Tyler Stracener briefly left the game after suffering a nose bleed. The team trainer plugged both of his nostrils with cotton (I think) and it looks like he’ll get back on the court soon.

*****

Pre-game thoughts

It’s almost time for the Class 4A District 1 boys basketball championship. We’re about 4 minutes from pre-game introductions.

The teams are warming up right now. They know each other well. As Wesco South rivals, they played twice during the regular season. Mountlake Terrace won both times (57-48 Jan. 6 in south Everett and 40-39 Feb. 3 in Mountlake Terrace). Mariner and Terrace were both 15-3 in league games and part of a three-way atop the South with 3A Meadowdale.

Both teams have already qualified for the upcoming 4A state tournament at the Tacoma Dome. The winner earns the district’s No. 1 seed; the loser is the No. 2 seed. Mariner is part of the 16-team state field for the third consecutive season. Terrace hasn’t gone since 2005, when it placed third.

Tomorrow afternoon Mariner, Mountlake Terrace and Lake Stevens (the district’s other 4A state-bound boys team) will learn their first-round opponents at the tournament draw in Renton. The 4A championships begin Wednesday.

Here is a quick look at Mariner and Terrace.

Mariner Marauders (18-4)

Head coach: Dexter Griffen

Seed: Wesco South No. 2

Last state tournament appearances: 2007 and 2008

Winning streak: Won past five games; past three by a total of just four points

Points scored per game: 55.7

Points allowed per game: 47.5

Leading scorers

Player GamesPoints Average

Michael Minor 22 279 12.7

Tevin Dillon 22 259 11.8