Saturday, Mar. 07, 2009

Inglemoor 63, Walla Walla 55

By Rene Ferran, Herald staff writer

TACOMA -- The Blue Devils (20-9) nearly erased a 12-point, second-half deficit against the Vikings (19-7), but Inglemoor hit 7 of 8 free throws in the final minute to hold on and end Wa-Hi's season with a 63-55 defeat.

Benji Bryant scored 13 of his game-high 22 points in the second quarter as Inglemoor built a 36-26 halftime lead, and he had a layup to open the second half.

Wa-Hi still trailed by 11 after three quarters and by seven with 2:38 to play, but a backdoor lob to Gary Winston, followed by a Winston 3, cut the deficit to 52-50 with 1:46 to play.

But Todd Campbell scored off an inbounds play after Wa-Hi couldn't corral a defensive rebound -- two of Inglemoor's 17 second-chance points -- and Winston had the ball poked away on the ensuing possession, allowing Inglemoor to escape.

"They had a lot of big guys, and we didn't block out," said Winston, who also scored 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting.

INGLEMOOR (63)

Benji Bryant 22, Campbell 20, McElwee 16, Nwaelele, Jorg 2, Dougherty 2, Ena 1, Molina, Gregor, Hamilton, E.Bryant. Totals 23-47 14-21 63.

WALLA WALLA (55)

Gary Winston 22, Richards, Hessler 12, Weisner 13, Arias 4, Heitzmann, Clothier 2, James 2. Totals 23-46 6-8 55.

Inglemoor 13 23 11 16 -- 63

Walla Walla 11 15 10 19 -- 55

Highlights -- Ing 3x7 3pt, WW 3x11; Ing 31 rbs, WW 22; Ing 5 TOs, WW 8; Todd Campbell 11 rbs; Michael Weisner 7 rbs; Winston 4 asts; Spencer Hessler 4 asts.

* Rene Ferran: 509-582-1526; rferran@tricityherald.com. Read his prep sports blog at sportstricities.com