REARVIEW MIRROR: REQUIEM FOR A DREAM

(copyright Brad Camp/Bainbridge Review)

Everything went wrong for the Bainbridge basketball team last night.

Their shots didn't drop. They bricked their free throws. They let O'Dea get their shooters going and once the first quarter was over, it was pretty much over.

I know there was a lot of pressure on them being it's for the state championship, but if some of those shots drop for them, the game might have been different.

But O'Dea was the better team last night. They showed why they've won three state titles in the last four years.

Still, to let one game, even a championship game, define a season doesn't do justice for all the great things that happened over the season.

The home wins over Seattle Prep and Rainier Beach. The road wins over South Kitsap and O'Dea. That game against O'Dea for the Metro Mountain Division title - probably one of the best sporting experiences I've had in my life.

They'll feel bad now, but when they look back, they'll see they had a fun season.

I had fun covering them.



So what's next? Spring sports, of course. I like the fastpitch team. They've got a lot of talent this year and they're young. The baseball team will have to overcome the loss of some talented seniors, but there's some good players coming up from the youth programs.

Both lacrosse teams are going to be stellar as usual. It'll be interesting to see if the girls can bounce back after losing their three All-Americans.

The track team will be strong in the mid-distance events and relays, but I'm not sure about the boys soccer team. They'll have to work with a new coach and get used to his style.

The tennis teams will have some good singles and I'm sure a doubles team will be strong. The girls' water polo team lost a bunch of seniors, so they'll have to find their way with some new talent.

So keep it right here. One season may have ended but the train rolls on.

UPDATE 15

Jesse Powell now in.

Wood keeps the five pumped up, but too late. McMillan steps out of bounds.

Gray short on the three -- O'Dea rebound.

Foul on Ballard -- Davis' fourth.

Ballard bricks the first - Sharar grabs the ball and is fouled.

Davis' three off the rim.

Foul on Sharar, his fourth. Edwards hits them both.

Fling to Gray for the two hand jam.

Foul on Gibler, his fourth. Scott splits.

Sharar inside but is stripped by McMillan, his fifth. He's done.

McMillan at the line -- he hits both.

Gray off on the three -- Scott boards and is fouled by Wood, his fourth.

Whitman at the line -- he hits both.

Wood scores on the bank. Less than a minute left.

O'Dea holds -- this one is over. O'Dea 56, Bainbridge 31.

UPDATE 14

Edwards hits the second.

Sharar blocked by Whitman -- Davis with the steal -- another strip on Gray. Great D by the Irish.

Scott with the dunk and this one is just about over.

Fling inside. 49-27 BI with 3:28 left.

UPDATE 13

IF -- IF -- BI is going to do this, they better hit everything in sight.

The Spartan fans are back into it, but O'Dea is slowing it down.

Fling fouls, his first. Sharar in. Dominic Ballard at the line and hits both. Gray hard to the hole but no go. Scott with the board.

Davis' three in and out! Edwards with the dish. Fling inside and scores.

45-24 Irish -- Fling and Davis on the steal, Fling goes for the dunk, but is fouled. He splits the FT.

Under five minutes left.

Gray fouls Edwards, his third. Edwards at the line -- he hits the first. BI TO -- 5:48 left to this great season.

UPDATE 12

Banchero is moving, but not by much. But he is up. He appears to be OK.

O'Dea 39-16 with 1:55 left. It's just about done.

Gray with the swat, the grab and the layin! That woke everyone up!

Another steal by Gray! Fling with the layin, mises but Gray with the follow!

Sharar blocks Edwards but fouls him. O'Dea 39-20 with 48 seconds left.

Edwards hits both. Another bad pass and Gibler loses the ball.

Gray with the steal and the two hand JAM! This place is electric!

O'Dea can't hit their shot -- end of 3, O'Dea 41-22!

"We can do this!" the fans chant!

UPDATE 11

Banchero misses the three - out of bounds on BI.

Gibler drives inside and is fouled. Christian's second. Gibler splits the FT.

After some tough play inside, Gray fouls Whitman inside, his second.

Whitman splits the FT. 39-16.

Davis misses a three. Banchero off wiht the j. Gibler rebounds.

Bad shot by Fling and Banchero is fouled by Davis and he goes down. He's not up. Davis' third.

That was scary. He just collapsed.

UPDATE 10

BI needs to go on a run NOW.

Gray misses the J, Gibler with the putback but is called for the foul, his third.

McMillan hits the three. O'Dea 38-13.

Another steal by Banchero. Scott misses the j, Gray with the board and the layin and scores and is fouled! Whitman's third. Gray shorts the FT.

Official timeout. O'Dea 38-15.

UPDATE 9

Back in for the third - BI with the ball.

Fling off on the three.

Banchero misses the back door layin, but Scott puts it back.

Gibler goes to the hole and is fouled by Scott, his second. Gibler to the line - misses both but Wood grabs the board and puts in the hook! 30-13.

Gray fouls, his first.

Edwards misses the three, Gibler with the board but throws it to McMillan.

Four offensive rebounds for O'Dea - but no score. McMillan with the steal and Banchero with the layin. 32-13 O'Dea.

Gray travels. He's trying to do too much.

Scott is fouled as he scores on a nice layin! Gibler's second. Scott hits it.

35-13 O'Dea.

TO, BI. 4:57 left.

HALFTIME STATS/THOUGHTS

Two things:

-BI needs to play some better D.
-They need some shots to drop.

The Sparts are not looking like a team that is number one right now. O'Dea has come out and taken over from the get go.

Halftime shot game. Neal White and Caitlyn Salo are participating. They win! Nice shooting -- better than the boys.

Stats -

McMillan - 7 pts
Banchero - 6
Scott - 6
12/24 fg
18 rebounds

Sparts-
Davis, Fling, Gray - 3 pts
9 rebounds
4/16 fg

Gray is 1/8 from the field.

UPDATE 8

Banchero with the strip and he is fouled by Sharar, his second. Spartans are in danger of getting blown out here.

O'dEa with the ball -- they'll hold -- double dribble on Walker.

Bad pass by Fling inside -- O'Dea holds -- Banchero hard to the hold and Wood fouls him, his first.

O'Dea gets two shots blocked -- we're at the half. O'dea 28-11.

UPDATE 7

BI with the ball - blocking foul on Davis, his second.

Walker misses a three. Pushing foul on Colton Christian, his first.

Gibler at the line for one and one. He misses.

Banchero misses the j, and it goes out of bounds on O'Dea.

Banchero with the strip and steal.

Fling drives to the lane and is fouled by Christian, his second. Fling to the line, and he - splits the FT.

24-11 O'DEa with two minutes left.

Banchero with the j. Fling throws it out of bounds. Gibler with the block, but he is called for the foul on Christian, his first. Late call.

Christian hits both. 28-11 O'Dea.

UPDATE 6

Walker misses the three.

Gibler with another miss. O'Dea with the board, but Scott travels again.

TV timeout - O'Dea 22-10 with 3:30 left until the half.

UPDATE 5

I don't think I've seen BI not get a shot to drop. It has not been their night so far.

O'Dea with the ball -- Walker misses the three, Gray with the board.

Gibler short inside - Banchero comes back with the layin.

Gray is fouled by Walker.

Gray splits the FT. 16-3 Irish.

Walker connects for three.

Gray misses the J, Gibler boards it and he is fouled.

Gibler inside for the bucket off the inbounds and he is fouled! Scott's first.

Gibler bricks the FT.

18-5 now.

McMillan to Scott.

Davis for three! 20-8 now with 5:54 left.

McMillan misses inside.

Edwards called for the holding foul, his second. Gray at the line and he misses the front end of the 1.

Scott scores. 22-8. Fling inside for two!

UPDATE 4

Edwards with the hold on Gray, his first.

Gray misses another three.

McMillan scores and is fouled. Sharar's first.

McMillan scores the FT.

Wood in now.

Wood and Gray can't score inside. O'Dea will hold -- McMillan with the bank shot.

End of 1 -- O'Dea 14, BI 2.

UPDATE 3

Gibler stripped inside.

McMillan with the drive inside. 9-2 O'Dea.

Gray swatted inside.

Another offensive foul on O'Dea. Whitman's second.

Sharar and Eisenhardt now in.

Over and back on BI. They are out of sync right now.

Gray with the strip -- Banchero grabs it - traveling on him.

Gray with the nice reverse layin but after a battle, it's tipped out of bounds on BI. McMillan misses inside but O'Dea with the board. Banchero travels, though.

Timeout O'Dea. 1:17 left, still 9-2.

UPDATE 2

Gray off on the J.

Edwards misses the three Gibler with the board but O'dea steals and Scott with the score.

Wood inside rejected by Scott.

Scott cant score inside -- out of bounds on O'Dea.

Three in and out for Gray. 7-2 O'DEa with 4:02 left.

Offensive foul on Whitman his first.

Timeout. 3:58 left.

GAME 4: UPDATE 1

After the starters and the anthem, here's the opening tip - BI wins -- Gray scores!

ODea wiht the ball -- Banchero travels!

Wood misses inside.

Edwards hits a three. O'dea 3-2

Wood travels.

Davis fouls McMillan on the drive, his first.

Whitman scores. 5-2 ODea

YOUR STARTERS THIS EVENING

are Davis, Fling, Wood, Gray and Gibler for BI

For O'Dea - Kelly Edwards, Chris Banchero, Jamelle McMillan, Ellis Pressley-Whitman and Josh Scott. Guess he's out of Lumpkin's doghouse.

Just a few more minutes and then SHOWTIME!

BOTH TEAMS ON THE COURT NOW

And it is LOUD in this place. The fans better save their energy for the game.

PRE-GAME

The Spartan student section is full and they are going off right now.

"We want Fick!"

They'll get him in a few.

IT'S FINAL

Auburn Riverside: YOUR 3A state girls champs.

After the trophies and the net cutting, it's time for the main event.

4:38 LEFT

(copyright Brad Camp/Bainbridge Review)

and AR has a 45-38 lead.

That crowd shot is SICK. This place is about to blow up.

WOW

If you're watching on TV, that loud pop you heard was Bainbridge fans cheering for their team as they went into the locker room.

Good lord this place is going to be nuts in about 30 minutes.

ONE MINUTE UNTIL THE HALF

and Sealth is down to AR 24-22.

The crowd is out the door to Hec Ed. I think this place is going to be full - mostly for Bainbridge.

AR up 26-22 at the half and this crowd is going nuts.

T MINUS 1:30

The Bainbridge fans have arrived en masse and are filing in as we speak.

I talked to Bainbridge AD Neal White and Brent Peterson a few moments ago. They said that they got all but one bus on the boat, but that one should be arriving shortly.

Rumor has it - and Neal told this to O'Dea's AD Monte Kohler who walked up - that the package they found was wrapped in O'Dea's colors.

Sealth and Riverside are on now and it is loud. The arena is half full - a good sized crowd for the girls game.

Back in a few.

DAY 4 OF THE 3A STATE TOURNAMENT: D-DAY.

UPDATE: According to the Washington State Ferries' website, the 6:30 ferry did sail and the two boat services is still going on.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are LIVE at Hec Ed for the final game of the 2006-2007 boys basketball season.

In roughly two hours, Bainbridge takes the floor against O'Dea for the fourth time to decide who is the best team in the state.

The game will be televised on FSN at 9 p.m. with the girls 3A state title game preceding it. KJR-950 is broadcasting the game as well.

I had to ride the Bremerton ferry to the game because I didn't want to wait in line at the BI ferry. It was getting close to the High School Road intersection and getting longer as I was leaving.

If people are still waiting on ferries, they may not get here in time.

I'll see you in a few.

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

For those interested in welcoming the team home tonight, local historian Jerry Elfendahl sent out this e-mail:

"TO WELCOME THE BOYS HOME!

Tonight! - Sat., March 10, 2007 -the Bainbridge HS boys basketball
team plays for a state championship for only the fourth time in
school history ---the first time in 52 years. They won it once in
1948 - 59 years ago. They excelled this year in the toughest league
in the state. They worked very hard for a long time to accomplish
this.

The team they play tonight for the title, they have beaten three
times before and lost to once - a one point game on the other team's
court. Our Island boys are winners in every way on and off the court
and deserve our applause!! Some have wondered how they might be
greeted coming home.

WHEN TO GREET THEM...MIDNIGHT...

They will likely be coming home on the 11:15 ferry - 'round midnight.
We imagine a hundred cell phones will be calling homes all over the
island. Get a phone tree going in your neighborhood. Wake up the
neighbors, and carpool or hike into town. This does not happen every
year!

WHERE TO GREET THEM...GREAT PLACES!

1.) ON OLYMPIC WAY (Hwy. 305), between the ferry dock & Winslow Way.
It is a tradition that the fire department will be there with bells
on to lead a welcoming if the team wins state. If they finish
second, apparently the engine may not be there. Win or lose, we
should all try and be there to greet them. PARKING: Around the
terminal & Winslow Way.

2.) AT THE ROUNDABOUT on High School Road. There is another and
newer tradition that when team and student rooter buses come home
that their buses take a "Victory Lap" around the Round-about. If
they win tonight, it will be at least a double lap! PARKING: Library,
St. Cecilia, Commodore and Safeway.

3.) AT BHS!

NOTE: The buses will go up Hwy. 305 and not through Winslow and up
Madison because of all the elder housing and not wanting to disturb
people's sleep.

HOW TO GREET THEM...LET THERE BE LIGHT, CHEERS & APPROPRIATE NOISE!

Bring flashlights, candles, bright lanterns, sparklers, spotlights -
leave car headlights and flashers on: Bring signs and creative
noise makers (where you won't disturb those who shouldn't be
disturbed). Put up a cheer as the buses pass: Call and response:
Bainbridge! Spartans!

POST CELEBRATION...
Then go home; set your clocks ahead one hour for daylight savings
time; get some sleep; give thanks for all this; and pray that some
day soon we will bring other boys, men and women home from over seas!!"

If you're wondering, yes, Elfendahl is incorrect - Bainbridge HAS beaten O'Dea all three times they've played this season, including a one point win at O'Dea for their first win in their gym ever.

REARVIEW MIRROR: ONE MORE ROAD TO CROSS

It's almost over now.
(Copyright Brad Camp/Bainbridge Review)

"And remember, also," added the Princess of Sweet Rhyme, "that many places you would like to see are just off the map and many things you want to know are just out of sight or a little beyond your reach. But someday you'll reach them all, for what you learn today, for no reason at all, will help you discover all the wonderful secrets of tomorrow."

-Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

I woke up thinking about the Red Sox. Answered e-mails, read the paper, showered, shaved, never stopped thinking about the Red Sox. Found that I was so excited, I could barely keep a thought in my head. Skipped through the day's routine doing ordinary things, thinking the entire time, "Holy crap, my life could be completely different in eight hours."

Is this how parents feel when they're about to have a baby? Like nothing has changed, but everything's about to change? That's how I felt yesterday. The Red Sox were about to win the World Series. And I was about to become Just Another Baseball Fan again.

Bill Simmons, ESPN Page 2 columnist, "Destination: Destiny" Oct. 21, 2004.

While it's not as big as the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series for the first time in 86 years (I don't think there are people on the island living and dying without getting to see a high school team winning a state championship), I can't help but draw the same parallels from the Boston Red Sox/New York Yankees rivalry when thinking about tonight's game.

Bainbridge and O'Dea has been a rivalry, but in the same sense as Sox/Yanks - one team dominates the other, one team wins all the time, the other team hasn't won anything for a long time.

Until now.

Thanks to two superstar players (Gray and Gibler = Manny Ramirez and Curt Schilling) and a talented supporting cast, the Spartans have taken it to the Irish every time they've played. They've got the guards that can fight through their moving screens to stop their shooters from getting an open look.

I'm sure Lumpkin (Torre) will have something up his sleeve for tonights' game, but Orness (who isn't Terry Francona, thankfully) said they'll make the proper adjustments when needed.

That's something Southridge didn't do last night. They had a chance to win when they closed the gap to two near the end, but they didn't have the guards to stop Chris Banchero, Brian Walker and Jamelle McMillan from hitting their jumpers.

Bainbridge definitely has the talent, but there is something else there that can't really be explained - if you have Simmons' book ("Now I Can Die In Peace") he goes into greater detail about all the little things that made up the bigger picture of destiny, fate and what have you that led up to the Sox's big win.

Last night, Orness told me he felt the same way.

"Throughout this whole season there's been these little things that have happened," he said. "I should have been writing them down but didn't really want to talk about it because of being a little too superstitious."

Little things like the movie "300," which is based off of comic book legend Frank Miller's graphic novel 300 that told the story of the Battle of Thermopylae where 300 Spartan soldiers fought to the death against one million Persian soldiers.

Orness felt with this movie coming out the day before the state championship and the draw they got for the tournament, he hopes that it means that "it's their year to bring back a state championship to Bainbridge Island."

I think it's their year, too.

Some thoughts on last night's game.

-After Gray threw down that great dunk from the opening tip, everyone knew it was over from then on unless they made some big mistakes.

Unfortunately, the subs couldn't run the clock down and Orness had to put his starters back in, which is a little troublesome. Maybe they were thinking ahead to tonight. I don't know.

-Credit to North Central, though. They didn't play like a 10-17 team. Sure, they came out and let Bainbridge run allover them, but when the nerves wore off, they kept fighting and played great defense.

Nick Rijon really gave them some problems. He has a great first step and kept taking it to the hole time after time. If they had a big man like Gibler, they're even more dangerous.

Rijon had 15 points and seven rebounds, but the Indians shot just 21 percent for the game.

Bainbridge outrebounded them 35-30 but North Central forced more turnovers 13 to 9.

Gray had 17 points and six rebounds while Gibler had 12 points and seven boards and four blocked shots.

Davis had 11 points on 3 of 4 shooting from behind the arc while Rudy Sharar had four points and seven rebounds.

Bainbridge shot 56 percent from the field for the game but just 50 percent at the line.

So, it all comes down to tonight. Bainbridge - O'Dea IV: This Time, It's Personal.

I'll check back in a few hours, but for now, let's see if this gets you pumped up for tonight's game.



I believe you make your own destination.

-Manny Ramirez.

GAME 3: BAINBRIDGE 54, NORTH CENTRAL 40

Bainbridge takes control, one game away from title
Spartans handle Indians, will play O'Dea for championship.

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON - The Bainbridge boys basketball team sent a message: Nobody is stopping them from reaching their destiny, even if it means striking midnight on the dreams of another team's Cinderella story.
The Spartans broke out on a 15-0 run and didn't look back, defeating the North Central Indians 54-40 to move onto their first championship game in 59 years at the Bank of America Arena at Hec Ed Pavilion on the University of Washington campus Friday night.
"This is something that we've worked so hard for to get to this point," head coach Scott Orness said. "To be playing on that floor tomorrow night for the state championship is (awesome.) I'm just proud of our guys and to get to this point, they gotta feel really good about it."
Bainbridge put the hammer down from the opening tip, as Coby Gibler won it and tapped it to Wood who threw to a streaking Gray for the two-hand jam to pop the Spartan fans and get things going.
They continued their hot run as Coby Gibler scored four points inside off some nice passes from Nick Fling and Caleb Davis.
Davis followed with a three and Gray hit another jumper as the Indians were stymied by the post play of Gibler inside (he blocked two different Indian players twice in succession) and their own poor shooting (they were 2 of 23 for the first half.)
"We didn't want to be in the same spot as we were yesterday," Gray said, referring to their slow start against Bellevue. "So we took the intensity of what we brought in the third quarter of that game and tried to transfer it over. We came out strong and we came out with defensive pressure."
They pushed the lead to 17-0 before Justin Anderson split his foul shots and Boone Plager sank a three.
In the second quarter, Bainbridge continued to dominate.
Davis sank another three pointer while Gibler scored several more points inside and Rudy Sharar made North Central's life miserable, hitting a three and running around the court grabbing rebounds and making blocks.
"Everybody that came in was doing their role," Sharar said. "Hitting shots, getting rebounds, playing good defense. Every player in there was doing the best they could."
That included Davis, who was three of four from behind the arc and scored 11 points for the contest.
When he knocked down his third three of the game, Bainbridge had a comfortable lead at 42-15 with four minutes left in the third, seemingly ensuring a win and letting the reserves play some solid minutes.
But the Indians didn't quit. Nick Rijon hit two three pointers as the Indians went on a 20-2 run in the fourth to close the gap substantially.
"Any team we play right now is going to be capable of that," Davis said. "I wasn't exactly surprised, but I felt we could have done a much better job."
Sharar felt that North Central deserved a lot more praise than they've gotten.
"I give them a lot of credit," he said. "To be down 30 and come out and play as hard as they did, we admire and respect that. We respect every opponent."
Orness had enough respect for their ability to put his starters in to run out the clock and send them to the title game.
"Our reserves are better than that," he said. "They play against a great starting five for 60-plus practices and they play better defense than that.
"You gotta hand it to North Central. They really came back hard. We had to go back to the starters because we weren't going to take a risk and not be playing in the state championship game."
But the Indians ran out of steam and Bainbridge ran out the clock.
The win puts them in the title game against a familiar foe -- O'Dea, who beat Southridge 60-35 to get there.
With three wins over the Irish under their belt, the Spartans are ready for the biggest game of the season.
"I guess this is the way it was destined to be," Sharar said. "It's nice to have three (wins) but those wins mean nothing now. It's all about this game. That's all anyone will remember."
Bainbridge and O'Dea play at 9 p.m. The game will be televised by Fox Sports Northwest and 950-KJR will broadcast the title bout as well.

POSTGAME DELAYED

They're closing down, so I gotta get the ferry home. I'll update there.

Thanks for tuning in tonight, Appreciate the support.

UPDATE 19

NC misses their shots and turns it over.

Fans chanting "Championship!"

BI holds and this one is over! BI wins 55-40!

Folks, we will see you tomorrow night LIVE on FSN at 9 p.m.!

Back with comments and a recap after this.

UPDATE 18

Grigsby strips Fling and Fling fouls him, his fourth.

Grigsby at the line and hits both. BI 54-40 with 2:03 left.

BI holds -- still holding -- less than a minute left -- Scott fouls Gray.

HUGE "We want Fick!" chant.

Gray splits the FT. 45 seconds left.

UPDATE 17

NC turns it over with the offensive foul on Anderson.

Grigsby fouls Wood, his second. Wood at the line and he splits. 52-37.

Grigsby misses and Fling with the board.

Wood to Fling, but loses it out of bounds. 3:12 left.

Nice pass to Sam Schaefer from Butler for the score.

Korsak scores inside! 54-38. Rijon airballs a three.

Davis now back in. So is Gray and Gibler.

UPDATE 16

BI holds -- Kruse misses a three.

Walsh fouls Plager, his first. Plager splits his FT. Spartans need a score. Wood in now.

Walsh loses the ball and Rijon scores. BI gets the ball back to Walsh but he travels.

TO BI. 51-36 with 4:13 left.

UPDATE 15

Plager splits the FT.

Foul on Grigsby, his first.

Powell at the line - he splits the FT.

Grigsby inside for two. Kruse comes back hard and is fouled by Plager, his second.

Fling and Mike Walsh are in.

Kruse misses both.

Rijon gets a three to bounce in. Fling is fouled by Rijon, his fourth personal.

Fling splits. Rijon hits another three. BI 51-33 with 5:14 left.

UPDATE 14

Anderson scores for NC. 49-20 BI.

All the starters are out now. It's Eisenhardt, Fick, Sharar, Powell and Paxton Kruse.

Rijon hits a three. BI comes back but Sharar travels. 49-23 BI.

Anderson scores down low. Rijon takes the errant Eisenhardt pass, but Rijon misses the layin. Foul is called, but I missed it.

TO, 49-25 BI with 6:16 left.

UPDATE 13

BI with the ball -- Scott forces the steal. Nice D by NC.

They miss though, and Gibler grabs the board and throws it to Sharar, who is fouled by Swen, his first.

Guess who's in? Yep, Mr. 23 - Charlie Fick.

Sharar splits the FT.

"Fick is sick!" "Fick is sick!"

NC airs but BI touches it and it goes back to the Indians. They miss again.

BI holds -- Gray to Eisenhardt but he can't hit and it goes out of bounds.

NC can't connect -- end of the third, Bainbridge 49 North Central 18.

UPDATE 12

NC with another turnover and Rijon fouls, his third.

Gray to the rack and scores! 48-15 BI with 2:21 left.

Plager misses a three but Scott grabs the board and hits the three.

Sharar is fouled. BI fans singing "Take me out to the Ball game." Awesome.

Powell fouls, his first.

NC with the ball -- travel on Anderson. He's mad.

UPDATE 11

NC misses a three and Gibler gets the board.

Sharar travels and Jesse Powell is in now.

Gray and Scott fight for the board after a NC miss -- Scott fouls, his second.

NC going full court press now.

Scott fouls Gray, his third. Gray at the line -- he hits both. 46-15 BI.

Eisenhardt in for Wood.

UPDATE 10

NC misses again and Sharar gets the board.

GREAT job by Gray to get the reverse layin. Gorgeous.

Rijon with the floater but airs it. Gray misses the three but Sharar with the board and they work it around to Davis who drives in for two.

Anderson gets blocked by Gibler twice but is fouled. He hits both FT, 39-15 BI.

Davis for three! 42-15.

Rijon misses the three. Gibler inside again - 44-15 BI 3:56 left.

UPDATE 9

Same starters for BI and NC.

BI gets the ball -- Gibler misses the skyhook and NC with the board.

Fling blocks Rijon but he gets the ball back and he is fouled. Fling's third.

Rijon with the ball -- splits the FT.

Gibler misses inside but Gray puts back the follow. 33-12 BI.

Rijon is fouled by Sharar, his second. Anderson is limping around a bit. Not good for NC.

Rijon splits the FT, Davis rebounds.

Rijon tries to pick Gray's pocket, but fouls, his first.

Gray tries to feed Wood down low but it's knocked out of bounds. BI misses.

Rijon misses badly on 3. Gray to Gibler inside - 35-13 BI

HALFTIME STATS

Waiting on stats, the Spartans came out and put the hammer down with that 15-0 run to open. They've slowed down in the second, but I don't think NC can hang. Too much Gibler inside and their big man (6'7" Anderson) can't hang.

The fans have been into this one from the get go. According to BI AD Neal White, they had five rooter buses to the game today and they may have more tomorrow.

stats -- Gibler and Gray with eight points, Wood with six, Davis with six, Sharar with three.

BI controls the glass 21-13.

NC's leading scorer is Anderson with four. They shot -- check this -- 2/23 for 8.7 percent. Good golly.

Back for the start of the third in a minute.

UPDATE 8

BI holds -- Gray is fouled with 3.9 seconds left. Scott with the foul, his first.

BI on the inbounds -- Davis is fouled. Plager's first.

BI inbounds again -- Davis gets it but after the buzzer.

Halftime - Bainbridge 31, North Central 11.

UPDATE 7

NC gets it after the TO -- Grigsby with the shot but Gray blocks it.

BI misses a shot, NC with the board.

Rijon drives and is fouled by Fling, his second. Six team fouls on BI.

NC misses and Sharar with the board -- then comes back and drops a 3.

NC airs a shot and Sharar blocks out the rebounder to put BI in controal of the board.

Sharar shorts the 3, but blocks Rijon after an NC player fakes out three BI defenders! HE gets fouled on the way back, but BI can't convert.

NC with the ball, and Rijon is fouled by Sharar, his first. Rijon splits

31- 11 BI with 50 seconds left.

UPDATE 6

NC misses a shot and Gray with the board, but Davis turns it over in the paint, then NC comes back and turns it over.

Gray to Gibler who muscles his way in and scores. 26-9 BI.

NC misses and Fling gets the ball. Wood scores, 28-9 BI as NC takes a TO with 3:02 left.

UPDATE 5

Anderson scores and is fouled by Gray, his first. Anderson hits as Gray goes out. 19-9 BI with 5:54 left.

Gibler underneath to Wood. 21-9 BI. Travel on Anderson, BI ball.

Grigsby in for NC.

NC running the 3/4 trap D, but BI breaks it -- nope, NC gets the steal.

Gibler rejects, but Davis can't get it and NC gets it back -- but Gibler swats DJ Scott down low TWICE.

NC with the TO and Davis drills another 3. 24-9 BI.

UDPATE 4

Central gets the ball -- Eisenhardt fouls Cory Swennumson. HArd to spell.

He hits both FT. 17-6 BI.

Davis short on the three and Wood gets called for the foul, his first.

Central brings it upcourt -- Plager misses a 3 and in the battle for the ball, it goes out on NC.

Davis inside to Gibler but it slips out of his hands and out of bounds.

NC misses another 3 and Gibler is there for the board.

Gray scores after Gibler mises the J. 19-6 BI.

UPDATE 3

Central wiht the ball -- good d by the Sparts so far.

HAuenstein misses the J but anderson grabs the board and is fouled by Fling, his first. He splits the FT.

Sharar and Eisenhardt came in on the last TO.

Fling sets the play -- Gray to Gibler with the layin. 17-1 BI.

Plager nails a 3. Sharar misses a 3.

Fling with the steal and Gibler misses, but Sharar with the board.

NC fans chanting "boring"

Bi holds -- Gray off with the 3. Central misses with a long hail mary.

End of 1, BI 17, NC 4.

UPDATE 2

North Central with the ball after the TO -- Rijon with the ball inside, but can't connect on two chances.

Gibler with the alley oop layin from Davis. 8-0 BI.

Fling forces the steal -- Wood with the layin from Fling. 10-0 BI.

Foul on Davis, his first. NC with the ball -- Rijon in and out wht the 3.

Wood misses the j. Carry on Central. 3:48 left.

Davis DRILLS a three. 13-0 BI. Anderson airs one -- Gray gets the board and comes back to drill a J! Bi 15-0 with 3:02 -- Central timeout!

GAME 3: UPDATE 1

Opening tip BI wins and Gray with the jam! 2-0.

Rijon misses, Gray with the board. Wood inside to Gray, 4-0.

Rijon in and out, Gibler with the board. Gibler misses, Indians with the board.

Rijon calls the play -- Block by Gray, gibler with the grab.

Wood with the hustle play after it was knocked away.

Gibler inside from Fling -- 6-0 BI with 5:59 on the clock, Central TO

YOUR STARTERS FOR THIS EVENING

are Davis, Fling, Wood, Gray and Gibler

For North Central, Boone Plager, Javier Grigsby, Nick Rijon, Cody Hauenstein, Justin Anderson

T-MINUS TWO MINUTES

The Spartan fan section easily outnumbers North Central's two to one. Granted, North Central came all the way from Spokane, but its a good sized crowd.

The fans are ready and starters are coming soon. Stay tuned.

T-MINUS 14 MINUTES

O'Dea's running out the clock. They'll advance to the championship game with a 60-35 win.

The fans are headed to the entrance and they'll make their way to the middle.

In a few minutes, it'll be showtime.

BINGO

We are hooked up. You'll have to register, but it should be cool.

O'Dea now lead 46-35 with seven minutes to go.

T-MINUS 37 MINUTES

Spartan fans have taken over the top left corner of the gym and there has to be close to 200 kids.

They're fully behind Southridge, who has used a 2-3 zone to get back into this one, 39-35.

Still working on the cBox. Back in a minute.

T-MINUS 1:05

Until game time.

I'm on my photographer's laptop, so if the wireless holds up, we'll be good.

O'Dea is ahead 28-16 with 3:15 until the half.

I'm hooking up a Cbox so those who are interested can comment while the game is going.

Also, as per a commenter's request, I will try to announce the score more.

Thanks.

DAY THREE OF THE 3A STATE TOURNAMENT: THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Funny story: My boss told me before the Bellevue game that I can't swear on this blog. Never mind the fact that I wasn't planning on it, but minor swear words are still offensive to some, so I apologize.

Welcome to Day 3 of the 3A state tournament. We're awaiting the primetime matchup of Bainbridge versus North Central at 9 p.m.

Chief Sealth just beat West Valley of Yakima, so they'll be in the championship game against Auburn Riverside who beat Meadowdale earlier in the day. Meadowdale, as you'll recall, beat the girls by a few points in a December matchup.

I'm in the media room and I'm not sure if I can live blog for this game as there are a lot more media here now that the girls have moved to Hec Ed. Bill Krueger of FSN is sitting in my exact seat watching Sealth play.

I'll check back in a minute. O'Dea - Southridge is about to start and I want to see that contest.

Another funny story: Some of the security guards are debating who would win: Bainbridge or Chief Sealth?

REARVIEW MIRROR: THIS IS WHY I'M HOT

This is why you not. (copyright Brad Camp/Bainbridge Review)

For a minute there, I thought Bellevue was too much for Bainbridge.

Luke Sikma was dominating on the inside as Cam Warren (all of five feet, seven inches) was running around and making great passes to his teammates Sikma and Alex Schrempf, who I thought was going to have a dominate game with the way he came out and played the first quarter.

But what was most disconcerting was how the Wolverines were beating the Spartans to the lane for layins. They just don't have those defensive lapses as much as they did last night.

Credit to the team for coming out stronger on defense in the second half. They started cutting off those lanes to the rim and forcing Bellevue to shoot jumpers. When they couldn't hit them, that's when things took a turn.

It also helps to have a talented big man in Coby Gibler and - what I think - is the AP 3A MVP, Steven Gray. He and Coby did their part to bring the team back. Also, props to Nick Fling, Austin Wood, Caleb Davis and Rudy Sharar who worked their behinds off on D to keep Bellevue from taking over.

The team also deserves praise for slowing the ball down and holding onto it for long stretches to run time off the clock.

Still, Luke Sikma showed he deserves his spot on the Seattle Times Star Times team. He's got a great jumper and he's very athletic. If he was only a few inches taller (he's 6'7") he might be getting NBA attention.

But I like the guy. He'll be good at Portland.

Finally, if you haven't seen Review photographer Brad Camp's slideshow yet, click here. Outstanding work that's even better than the big papers. If you're curious, yes that's my voice leading it off.

I'll be back in a few hours from Hec Ed with some notes I've collected over the course of a few days. If you're going, get there early 'cause the place will be packed.

"See" you then.

GAME 2: BAINBRIDGE 64, BELLEVUE 54

BAINBRIDGE GETS HOT, BURNS BELLEVUE
Spartans take control in the second half, move onto tourney semis

BANK OF AMERICA ARENA - The Bellevue Wolverines were ready for this one.
They came out focused and hit their shots in a big way, shooting 70 percent in the first half.
But it was all Bainbridge in the second, as they took over and beat the Kingco 3A champs 64-54 to move on to the semifinals in the 3A state tournament at Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmunson Pavillion.
Bainbridge outscored Bellevue 36-21 in the third and fourth quarters to send the Wolverines to the loser's bracket and keep the Spartans in the hunt for their first state title in 59 years.
"That's a great win," guard Nick Fling said. "That's going to help us a lot in the next game."
Bainbridge came out focused, but Bellevue wouldn't be denied as they shot the lights out in the first half.
Bellevue forwards Luke Sikma and Alex Schrempf came out on fire, leading the Wolverines to a 22-13 lead after one.
Steven Gray and Coby Gibler kept them in it, but Bellevue kept it going in the second quarter as guard Cam Warren - averaging 1.3 points a game - scored several as Bellevue went up by five at the half.
"We weren't playing great defense," head coach Scott Orness said. "We were making a lot of mental errors where we were giving up layins. We don't give up layins. They were getting a lot of backdoor cuts on (our) d(efense.)
"So getting focused on what we needed to do on offense and defense in the second and third quarter really helped us win."
Bainbridge did just that, slowly working their way back into the game, then taking the lead at 36-35 on a basket inside by Gibler.
Gray then completed a three point play as Belleve went ice cold in the third, scoring just one field goal.
Bainbridge didn't let up in the fourth, but Sikma didn't either. He scored again and again with the jumper from the baseline.
But the Spartans did their job by running out the clock while Wood and Gibler did their damage from the inside.
Bainbridge also connected on their foul shots from the line, shooting 72 percent from the charity stripe.
"We've had those situations where we've been in a hole against good teams" and they've responded to the pressure, said guard Steven Gray. "I think that will boost our confidence going into the rest of the tournament."
Gray finished with 21 points, three rebounds and four assists.
Gibler had 22 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
Sikma led Bellevue with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Bainbridge plays upstart North Central from Spokane tomorrow at 9 p.m. The winner moves on to the big one Saturday night at 9 p.m. while the loser is relegated to the third/sixth place game Saturday at 5 p.m.

UPDATE 23

Gray to the line -- he splits both.

Bellevue with the ball -- Olson airballs a three. This one may be over. BI fans are singing "hey hey goodbye"

Olson fouls intentionally. Wood to the line -- misses the first and hits the second.

BI gets the ball at halfcourt. "Bye Bye Bellevue!" the fans sing.

They'll dribble this one out and it's OVAH! BI wins 64-54!

Back with stats and a recap after a few.

UPDATE 22

Bellevue with the TO. BI up 58-51 with 48.5 seconds left.

Foul on Schrempf. That's his fifth and the 10th for the team.

Wood to the line. He got banged pretty hard apparently as he is rubbing his elbow.

But he sinks both.

Bach with a three -- no go. Gray with the board and he is fouled. McGough's fourth personal.

Gray to the line and he hits both.

Bellevue brings it up -- Olson hits a three.

Gray is fouled by McGough. He didn't like it.

McGough is out.

UPDATE 21

McGough comes back and nails a three. Bellevue TO with 1:51 left. Boil some coffee Smithers, they're not licked yet.

BI gets the ball and Bellevue is going to the full court press.

BI holds -- McGough knocks it away but Wood is there.

BI still holding and now we get the foul to stop the clock. Schrempf fouls, his fourth.

Davis at the line. He hits both with 1:09 left.

Sikma with the miss and Gibler gets the board. Fling is fouled. He misses the front end of a 1-1.

McGough scores.

UPDATE 20

Bellevue with the ball after the TO -- Sikma rattles in a long two.

BI holds again -- nice job by BI to hold.

Gray goes to the hole -- and is fouled by McGough, his second.

Gray hits both FT. Gibler fouls as he goes for the steal. His second.

Bellevue misses and Gray grabs the board and is fouled. He splits his FT with 2:08 left.

UPDATE 19

Matt Olson hits a three and Bellevue calls a full TO. BI up 49-39 with 5:55 left to go.

Bellevue had just ONE field goal in the third. Amazing. They looked like Thurston last night.

Wood inside from Gray. Sikma with the baseline j for two.

Gray rejected by Sikma but Gibler with the board. BI holds -- Gray with the dish to Gibler for the two hand slam! Great fake by Gray.

Sikma for two. Offensive foul on Gray as he went to the hole with three defenders on him. It's his third.

BI calls a full TO. They lead 53-44 with 3:37 left.

UPDATE 18

Start of the fourth and Bellevue is looking like they don't know what hit them. They went stone cold in the third.

Gibler inside again for the score.

Foul on Wood and McGough at the line. He misses both. Holy cow.

Gray misses the j.

Schrempf scores -- but no! Offensive foul! Bellevue fans don't like it.

Wood rejected by Sikma. Sikma sinks a j. They needed that one.

Wood inside for two!

UPDATE 17

Sikma misses the J and Bellevue knocks it out of bounds.

BI holds for the last shot -- Gibler scores!

Bainbridge 45-35 at the end of the third and this crowd is loving it!

UPDATE 16

Gray commits a foul, his second.

Gibler forces the steal and Gray somehow keeps it in bounds!

Gibler inside from Gray!

Gray knocks the ball away and it goes off Sikma!

Fling holds -- 1:12 left.

Gray to Gilber to Fling inside! Gorgeous passing!

UPDATE 15

Bellevue with the ball -- Fling forces the TO!

Fling sets up the play -- poor pass from Gibler to Gray and they turn it over.

Anderson misses the j and Fling with the board.

Gray is fouled on a nice pass from Gibler and he scores! He hits the FT !

Sikma back in. They need him now.

UPDATE 14

Gray knocks down a three. He needs to get hot.

Anderson misses the j.

Wood, Gray and Gibler all miss inside but Sikma fouls Gibler. He's at the line and splits the FT.

Warren gets THREE chances inside and misses.

Gibler scores! BI with the lead!

McGough misses the j.

Fling hard to the glass and is fouled by Matt Olson. Gibler misses the J.

Block by Gibler! Gray gets the loose ball over Warren but he misses the three and Wood takes a wild shot.

Gibler gets called with the loose ball foul.

Timeout Bellevue. 36-35 BI with 3:37 left.

UPDATE 13

Bellevue gets the ball. Same starters as before.

McGough misses a J. Fling misses a layin.

Schrempf is bodied by Gray and misses the layin.

Gray off on the three.

Sikma misses, Gray with the board. Wood goes off the backboard to Gibler for the layin.

McGough with the J.

HALFTIME STATS

Bellevue:

Sikma with 10 pts, 5 reb.
Warren with 8 pts, 4 ast and 2 reb. He's 5-7.
Schrempf with 6 pts.
14-20 FG
12 reb
3 TO

Bainbridge:

Gray: 9 pts
Gibler: 9 pts 6 reb.
9-22 FG
11 reb
3 to.

Thoughts:

Bellevue has done their job by coming out with a hot start and keeping Bainbridge on their heels. Their defense has really thrown them off and they haven't got good looks at the basket.

Warren averages 1.3 points per game. He has eight. That's not good.

Back with the third after this.

UPDATE 12

Bellevue with the ball. Good d by the Sparts, but Anderson beats them to the glass.

Gray is fouled as he goes to the line by Anderson, his third.

Gray misses both FT.

Bellevue holding for the last shot -- Sikma turns it over with 5 seconds left.

Gray wiht the ball - and airs it.

Bellevue 33, BI 28 at the half.

UPDATE 11

Bellevue ball after the TO.

Sikma backs down Gibler but travels.

Foul on Gray by Sikma, his first. Some nice hustle plays by Sharar and Gibler to keep the ball alive.

Gray makes both FT.

Anderson with a nice layin on the pass from Sikma.

Gibler goes hard to the rim and is fouled by Sikma, his second. Gibler hits both. BI down by three.

UPDATE 10

Bellevue up by nine. Foul on Davis, his second. Sixth team foul.

Sikma misses. Sharar drains a three off a assist from Gray.

Philip Bach misses a three. Fling and Sharar miss a jumper and a three.

Timeout Bellevue. 29-24 they lead with 3:05 until the half.

UPDATE 9

Bellevue with a TO.

Foul on Warren, his first.

Gibler keeps the ball alive after a Gray miss, but traveling is called.

Matt Olson hits a three.

Warren with the jumper.

Gray with the nice pass to Gibler and he is fouled. He splits them both.

Gibler with the rebound after Sikma misses a three and is fouled by Anderson.

UPDATE 8

Starting second quarter play and the Wolverines are on fire. They HAVE to stop Sikma inside. He had 10 in the period.

BI with the ball and Gibler hits the jumper.

Warren finds a hole and scores.

Fling knocks down a three.

Foul on Schrempf as he and Fling battle for the rebound. His second.

Davis in the game for Fling.

Gray misses a three but Gibler with the putback.

UPDATE 7

Sikma scores and is fouled. He hits the FT.

BI holding for the last shot and no good.

End of one, Bellevue 22-13.

UPDATE 6

Sikma rejects Eisehardt, but he misses the shot.

Fling is fouled and he splits his shots.

Sikma with the layin from Warren and is fouled by Eisenhardt. He hits the FT.

Gray with the layin. Bellevue 19-13 48 seconds.

UPDATE 5

Warren inside for the layin. Ben Eisenhardt and Rudy Sharar on the line.

Davis rattles in a three.

Sikma with the jumper over Gibler.

Pass out of bounds on Wood, Bellevue ball.

Sharar and Eisenhardt now in.

Warren with the jumper.

UPDATE 4

Schrempf with the bucket. He came to play.

Gibler with the miss. Davis with the foul on Warren as he swats him on his drive to the hoop.

Bellevue with the ball and Sikma scores inside.

Travel on BI.

UPDATE 3

Gray missed a three but Gibler with the board, but BI misses.

Belleve with possession and Schrempf scores and is fouled by Fling. He bricks the FT.

Gray for threeeeeeeee, baby. BI up 7-6.

UPDATE 2

Gibler with the fadeaway.

Schrempf with the j in the lane.

Gray with the sweet jumper over Anderson.

Warren with the miss and a foul on Schrempf.

UPDATE 1

Here's the opening tip.

It's up -- and Belelvue has it.

Davis on Warren and he pokes it out of bounds. Fling does the same.

Gray fouls Schrempf on the shot. He goes to the line and hits both.

YOUR STARTERS THIS EVENING

are Steven Gray, Caleb Davis, Nick Fling, Austin Wood and Coby Gibler for Bainbridge.

Bellevue is starting Chase Anderson, Alex Schrempf, Cam Warren, John McGough and Luke Sikma.

EIGHT MINUTES AWAY

Both fan sections are here and I think there are more students here than last night.

They gave local historian Jerry Elfendahl and Ed "Ashcan" Loverich a nice ovation a few minutes earlier.

The fans are hyped and we're two minutes away.

GUESS WHO JUST WALKED IN THE DOOR?

Yep. Gonzaga coach Mark Few. He's just to the left of me talking with a few people.

North Central with another win, 58-44.

Bainbridge and Bellevue now on the court for warmups.

T MINUS 2:18

North Central has a 50-31 lead, so they've got this one wrapped up.

The Spartan fans are here (as evidenced by the "BAINBRIDGE! SPARTANS!" chants.) I saw Principal Brent Peterson is in attendance as well.

53-31 with 1:54 left.

DAY TWO OF THE 3A STATE TOURNAMENT: LIVE IN ENEMY TERRITORY

Had to write that. WSU class of '02. :)

Welcome Spartan fans to the second night of the 3A state tournament. We're here live and ready for Bainbridge versus Bellevue at 9 p.m.

Right now we're getting ready for North Central versus Mt. Vernon. The winner takes on either the Spartans or the Wolverines.

Fun fact: Seattle Mariners PA announcer Tom Hutlyer is here announcing the game.

I'll check in with some news and notes if there are any.

REARVIEW MIRROR: "SHOOT THE BALL!" *clap clap clapclapclap* "SHOOT THE BALL!"

But it's hard to score when you've got to shoot over giants.
(Copyright Brad Camp/Bainbridge Review)

Last night's game made history.

According to the Seattle Times' Michael Ko, Bainbridge was -- unofficially -- not only the first team in 3A state history, but in Hec Ed history, to hold a team scoreless for a half.

The building has been open since 1929.

Pretty impressive, eh? It was a nice idea for North Thurston to try and stall the Spartans to sleep, but when you play O'Dea three times and Prep twice, you're used to teams slowing things down. They might have been better off trying to run the Spartans off the parquet, as they aren't that fast.

Still, Bainbridge was able to relax and make some steals to put the pressure on North Thurston. I was impressed with their defense. They kept in front of their man and rarely got beat to the hoop until the game was decided long before the final buzzer.

And you know it's bad when a guy can come off the bench (as in senior guard Paxton Kruse) and score three more points than your highest scorer on the team. I mean, damn, man.

Also kudos to the Spartan fans for coming out and making some noise for their team at such a late hour. Hopefully they can grab more of their friends and family to come out and watch them play.

Up next: Bellevue tonight. They won't be able to hold the Wolverines scoreless, but it will be close and an excellent game.

Gibler v. Sikma will be the matchup to watch. The two, who are cousins, must control the glass for their team. Whoever can shut the other down will ensure their team wins.

I'll be there and I hope to see you out there as well.

Edit: Here's our photographer Brad Camp and his slideshow that he put together on the game last night. Excellent job by Brad. Just like the big papers. :)

GAME 1: BAINBRIDGE 63, NORTH THURSTON 29

(I don't have the password for our company's website right now, so here's what I'll post in a bit.)

Spartans dominate on D, defeat Rams in opener
Gray, Gibler lead team as Bainbridge moves on

By JOHN BECERRA, JR.
Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON - Height makes right.
The Bainbridge boys basketball team used their size and blew up Thurston's plans to control the game, defeating the Rams 63-29 in the opening round of the 3A state tournament at the Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavillion.
Behind a good sized and very vocal Bainbridge cheering section, the Spartans held the Rams to zero points in the first half.
It was the first time since 1963 that a team was held scoreless for a quarter.
"A game that starts that way where they're gonna sit on the ball, you never know what's going to happen," head coach Scott Orness said. "Our guys kept great composure and made great decisions on defense. You can't ask for more."
North Thurston came out and held onto the ball for minutes at a time, but Bainbridge rotated to perfection to deny any decent looks at the rim.
The Spartans struggled at first due to some nerves, but responded as Steven Gray scored four points in the first five and a half minutes.
Rudy Sharar scored on a fast break layin to round out the scoring.
In the second quarter, Gibler did his thing, as he converted a three point play and kept the Rams off the glass.
"Coby Gibler really stepped up and got us going," Orness said.
Gray and Davis both hit threes as they scored five points apiece in the period.
North Thurston went 0 for 18 at the half. They didn't score until 6:42 was left in the third.
Meanwhile, Gibler had nine points in the period as Bainbridge closed it out with 21 points in the third, allowing Orness to send in the subs and rest his starters.
"We're getting every rebound and every shot was contested," Spartan forward Austin Wood said. "We were playing good state basketball."
It went so well for the Spartans that Paxton Kruse came in and connected on all his shots, including two threes, to score 10 points -- three more than North Thurston's leading scorer Will Sharp.
Gibler had 14 points and eight rebounds, while Gray had 14 points and nine rebounds.
Bainbridge outrebounded North Thurston 40-19.
Bainbridge takes on Bellevue tomorrow in a rematch of their 3A Sea-King district semifinal.
Game time is at 9 p.m.

UPDATE 20

Kruse drills another three after grabbing the long rebound off a Powell miss. He's hot tonight.

#22 of the Rams is fouled. He splits.

Kruse is fouled again. He sinks both.

One minute left. Steal by Powell -- off to Walsh for the layin.

Thurston scores. Fick misses a three that would have made the Spartans fans lose their mind.

Final - Bainbridge 63, North Thurston 29. We'll be back with postgame recaps and thoughts in a minute.

UPDATE 19

North Thurston's #12 is at the line. He misses both. Korsak grabs the board and is fouled. He misses both, but Walsh grabs the board. Korsak gets fouled again and misse but Walsh grabs the board but has it stolen away.

#10 for the Rams is fouled and splits. Thurston grabs the rebound and puts it back for the score.

Powell is fouled and sinks both. 1:44 left.

UPDATE 18

Not many people left in the gym at this hour. Hard to keep a crowd on a weeknight.

Thurston scores again. Paxton Kruse is fouled. He hits both ends of a one and one.

Kruse drills a three. Damn.

53-21 BI. Thurston with the shot that sticks in the corner of the rim.

Mike Walsh is fouled. He splits his shots.

Powell had Walsh open but was late and the pass sails wide.

2:18 left.

UPDATE 17

Now the subs are coming in for BI. As Chick Hearn would say, "This game's in the refrigerator."

Another steal, another score by Thurston.

Eisenhardt scores on the drive.

Sharar scores inside on a nice dump off from Eisenhardt.

Timeout, Rams. 4:33 left to go.

UPDATE 16

Fling is fouled. He hits his shots.

Nice steal by #10 of the Rams. They score.

#15 scores for the Rams. They might be on a run.

Fick with the missed j, Fling with the follow dunk but bricks it.

UPDATE 14

Gray with the fadeaway bank off the glass.

After a North Thurston miss, Gray grabs the rebound and is fouled. He splits his shots.

Wow. Gray gets the steal, passes it to Sharar who throws it back to Gray who misses the three but Wood grabs the rebound, throws up a prayer that bounces around and in.

Granted, it was well after the buzzer, but it's still an amazing play.

BI 42-11 at the beginning of the fourth.

Charlie Fick is in. Cue the "Fick is sick" chants.

UPDATE 13

Wood called for his second foul.

Thurston scores. They may break 10.

Gibler scores and is fouled. He hits the free throw.

Thurston hits a three.

Sharar missed a three but Wood there for the putback.

North Thurston offensive foul. Another turnover.

UPDATE 12

Gibler inside for two. Gray gets his second foul.

Gray for two off the glass. 30-2 BI 4:42 left in the third.

32-2 after Gibler scores.

Thurston scores!

UPDATE 11

We have a score by North ! 6:54 in the third.

Davis is fouled and splits. Gibler with the ball, but appeared to be fouled. Instead traveling is called.

Wood fouled and hits both. 25-2 6:18 left.

HALFTIME STATS

Gray with nine points and 6 rebounds.

Gibler with 3 points and 5 rebounds.

North Thurston 0-18 for the half. That's gotta be a record.

Thoughts:

The Rams are trying to slow things down, but there's no way in hell they'll score if they cant' take a few chances. I wonder if there was a shot clock that this game wouldn't be over by now.

The Spartans are moving around with ease defensively. Gibler is controlling the paint and they're hitting the glass well --16 to 12 advantage.

Back with the start of the third.

UPDATE 10

Jesse Powell in and gets a nice ovation.

Sharar with the layin, but runs over a Ram and is called for the offensive foul.

Greg Korsak now in. Ben Eisenhardt is in as well.

Davis blocks a drive and the Rams guard steps out of bounds.

They'll hold for the last shot and Davis pops a three.

BI 21-0 at the half.

UPDATE 9

Another steal, but Gray travels. That's the third one on the Spartans.

STILL no score. Gibler with the board and he is fouled.

Davis inside off a nice Gibler pass.

Gray with the layin. BI 18-0

Another steal, but Davis travels AGAIN. 49 seconds left

update 8

Another missed shot. Fling with the ball, but travels.

(Is this exciting or what? :/)

In and out by a Ram. They can't buy a bucket at this point.

Gray for threeeeeeeeeeeeee. BI 14-0.

update 7

Wood scores on that lovely baby skyhook after some nice passing.

The Rams still can't score. 11-0 with 4:46 left till the half.

UPDATE 6

Failed alley oop to Gray. Too high.

Nice d from Fling and Davis to force the over and back.

Gibler wide open after a block, scores and is fouled. He scores. 9-0 bi.

UPDATE 5

There's about 100 Spartan fans behind the bench and they are LOUD.

6-0 BI after one. Gibler has about 3 blocks.

1960 renton against garfield and 1963 were the last two times that a team has been shut out, thanks to the helpful security guard that just informed me.

UPDATE 3

davis with the assist and sharar scores, but ref calls travel. 34 seconds left.

UPDATE 2

bi 6-0. block by gibler, gray with reebound, sharar with layin.

UPDATE 1

Gray with another steal and the score. bi 4-0.

North thurston is holding the ball for long stretches, but the Spartans won't give.

WE LIVE

Well, I finally got on a connection. Had to work some other connections, but you know.

bi 2-0 after Gray scores and is fouled but misses the shot.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

Hola fans.

I'm having trouble connecting to the wireless here at Hec Ed, so I may have to run back and forth to the UW media room to provide updates.

More in a minute.

A WORD ABOUT THE ROOTER BUSES

For those interested in catching the rooter buses from the school, they are for students only. Our assumption was they were being made available for all, but no. Our apologies.

Stay tuned later on for more news and a play-by-play of the game.

Thanks.

WELCOME!

Brad Camp photo (copyright Bainbridge Review)

And thanks for stopping by, Bainbridge Island. :)

The purpose of this blog is to document the journey of the Bainbridge boys basketball team as they play for their first state title in 59 years, and the Review will be along every step of the way.

We'll have:

-a live blog of the games as they happen in real-time.
-exclusive articles and other news and notes from the tournament.
-a gallery of photos shot by the esteemed Mr. Brad Camp right after the game.

So keep this bookmarked and refresh it early and often. I'll have some short posts before the Spartans' tournament game starts tomorrow at 9 p.m.

If you have any comments, suggestions or criticisms, send them to jbecerra@bainbridgereview.com or leave a comment in the box.

Rules for comments:

-No anonymous ones.
-No profanity. This is a family blog, so let's keep it clean, people.
-Any improper comments will be deleted.

Enjoy.