Third time proved to be a charm for the Kentwood High boys basketball team Wednesday night at Kentridge.
Behind a balanced scoring attack that included five players in double-figures, the Conquerors turned back the Chargers 75-62 in a West Central/Southwest Bi-District game at Kentridge High.
It was the first time in three tries this season that Kentwood (15-7) has beaten Kentridge (15-8).
Taylor Jones led the Conquerors on offense, scoring a team-high 17 points. Jones, a junior, was far from alone. Sharpshooter Alec Wilson added 15 points, guard Mikell Everette contributed 12 while Jason Boyce and Denzel Shelton chipped in 10 apiece.
It was Kentwood’s fourth win in its last five games and helped the Conquerors clinch a berth in the Bi-District quarterfinals. Kentwood will play Olympia at 8 p.m. Friday night at Auburn High. Kentwood can clinch a state berth with a win.
The loss drops Kentridge (15-8) into the loser’s bracket, where it will play Bethel (10-12) at 8 p.m. Friday night at Puyallup High. If the Chargers lose, they will be eliminated. If the Charger win, they will play the winer of the Kent-Meridian/Gig Harbor game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Rogers High in Puyallup.
Against Kentwood, Gonzaga-bound star Gary Bell led all scorers with 37 points. Brendan Westendorf, who scored 12 points, was the only other Charger in double figures.
Meanwhile, Kent-Meridian and Kentlake nearly pulled off a pair of big upsets in the opening round of the West Central/Bi-District tournament. The Royals fell to Auburn, 72-67 while the Falcons lost to Curtis 67-65. D’Juan Miller led the Royals in scoring against Auburn, pouring in 21 points. Daniel Landram led the Falcons with 23 points in the loss to the Vikings.
Kentlake will play Rogers at 8 p.m. Friday night at Auburn Mountainview High in a loser-out game.
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