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

The Mountlake Terrace boys basketball team pulled off an impressive Western Conference South Division victory tonight. The Hawks built a double-digit lead in the second half and beat the Meadowdale Mavericks 48-42.

Tyler Stracener (10 points, 15 rebounds), Ryan Sells (14 points) and Karsten Strieby (nine points) led the way for Terrace (8-1 Wesco South, 8-3 overall), which came into the clash locked in a three-way tie atop the division with Meadowdale (7-2, 8-3) and Mariner.

Mountlake Terrace led by two points (20-18) by halftime despite committing 13 turnovers. The Hawks heated up in the third quarter, going 6-for-8 from the field and building a 10-point lead (33-23). Jaykob Sells made a wide-open 3-point at the end of the period.

Terrace withstood an outstanding individual effort by Meadowdale guard Roger O’Neill, who scored 13 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter.

At Mountlake Terrace H.S.

Meadowdale99519-42

Mountlake Terrace1281315-48

Meadowdale: O’Neill 23, Shiferaw, Kyobe 2, Hamlett 11, Larson 1, Surur 2, Carroll, Johnson 3, Beucherie. Mountlake Terrace: J. Sells 7, Clingan 5, R. Sells 14, Strieby 9, Stracener 10, Champoux 3, Lechtenberg, Estrada. 3-point goals-O’Neill 1, Hamlett 1, Johnson 1, J. Sells 1, Clingan 1, Champoux 1. Records-Meadowdale 7-2 in division, 8-3 overall. Mountlake Terrace 8-1, 8-3.

*****

Halftime score: Terrace 20, Meadowdale 18

OK, so the points aren’t exactly piling up. The teams have combined for 21 turnovers and just 38 points. But it’s been exciting, just the same.

Tyler Stracener had a big first half for the Hawks, tallying six points (all on put-back shots) and nine rebounds. Ryan Sells leads Terrace with eight points.

Meadowdale, which led 18-16 midway through the second quarter, bogged down on offense the rest of the half. The Mavs top scorers so far are Connor Hamlett (seven points) and Roger O’Neill (six points).

O’Neill briefly left the game in the second quarter because of blood on his left elbow. But he took care of it and got back on the court a minute later.

Terrace has committed 13 turnovers so far, which obviously has helped Meadowdale keep the score close.

*****

End of first quarter: Terrace 12, Meadowdale 9

Mountlake Terrace was on fire early and surged to an 8-0 lead. The Hawks made their first four shots.

But Meadowdale coach Chad McGuire called a timeout and his Mavericks have been playing better ever since. They scored seven straight after the break in action, including the first five by Connor Hamlett.

Hamlett, a 6-foot-7 post, is one of several talented posts in this matchup. Terrace has 6-7 and 6-8 Tyler Stracener.

*****

Time for another big Wesco South boys basketball battle. We’re a few minutes away from tipoff in the Meadowdale versus Mountlake Terrace at the Terrace High gym.

These teams are part of a three-way tie with Mariner for first place in the division.

After the public-address announcer introduced the starting lineups, he reminded the crowd about the recent death of former Terrace coach Merle Blevins and described Blevins’ many achievements. Terrace players will wear a commemorative patch on their uniforms in honor of Blevins the rest of the season, the PA announcer said.