Late in the second half of Thursday night’s game between King’s and
Nooksack Valley, the Knights seemed to be losing the intensity that was
present in the first half.
But Charlie Enquist found it at just the right time, and King's held off
a late Nooksack charge for a 37-34 quarterfinal victory.
In the first half, 5-foot-7 Jared Madrazo used his catlike quickness to
come up with six steals, which led to numerous layups for the Knights as
they grabbed a 22-11 lead at the break.
“We played really well in the first half, because we did the things we
had to do to win,” King’s coach Marv Morris said.
“But then it seemed like we didn’t show up in the second half because we
had a big lead. They thought it would be easy.”
The Pioneers rallied back within one point, thanks to the fact that the
King’s defense let up and stopped attacking.
Enter the 6-foot-8 Enquist.
Enquist swatted away two shots with 28 seconds left, and then after
missing both free throws on a double bonus, grabbed the offensive
rebound and was fouled again.
“That rebound was huge,” Morris added. “No, it was gigantic.”
Enquist made the first free throw, but missed the second to give the
Knights a three-point lead.
Bret Handy got off a last-second 3-pointer for the Pioneers, but it
rimmed out to give the Knights the win.
“Nooksack is a very well disciplined team, and very well-coached,”
Morris noted. “We were very fortunate to come out ahead tonight.”
Thanks in part to the defensive effort at the end by Enquist, who
finished with 11 points and two blocks.
Madrazo also scored 11 points on 4 of shooting, all in the first half.
He didn’t even attempt a shot in the second frame.
The Knights, who are back in the semifinals for the first time since
2004 when they ended up placing third, will face Grandview at 4 p.m.
Friday. The Greyhounds rallied past Cashmere 61-48.
Nooksack Valley, which will face Cashmere on Friday at 12:30 p.m. in a
loser-out contest, was led by Dan Skillman and Bret Handy, who each
netted 10 points.
