'Cats, Knights Tip Tacomans

Tamerius Counts 21

As Rams Fall, 66-57

A determined team effort carried West’s Wildcat to a 66-57 Capital league basketball victory over Wilson Rams here last night.

The Wildcats, receiving good scoring balance from a virtual “iron man five,” led from wire to wire with three tie scores all the closer the taller and favored Rams could get.

Four seniors made their final home-court start in a West basketball jersey and all played an instrument part in the conquest, the second for the ‘Cats in loop play.  J.D. Tamerius, a durable forward-guard, opened at forward and closed the season before the home crowd with a 21-point performance. He hit nine of 13 attempts from the floor and was three of six from the foul stripe.

LEON LESLIE added 11 points to the West attach while Steve Schumacher tallied 10. Les Dicks totaled eight and was the only starter not in double figures.

Only underclassman on the opening five, Dan Shedwin, garnered 16 points, hitting seven of 12 attempts from the floor and two of four at the foul line.

All told, the ‘Cats hooped 28 of 56 two-point tries for an even 50 per cent.

Coach Bob Smith left the initial starters in until 2:46 remained in the contest when the first substitute, Fred Kegel, came into the game.

West built its largest lead, 14 points, at the close of the third panel as Leslie hit a short jump shot with 18 seconds showing.

IN THE FOURTH period the visitors from Tacoma made a serious threat and only calm play by Tamerius, Schumacher and Shedwin averted disaster. The Rams whittled the ‘Cat advantage down 60-54 with 1:51 showing but couldn’t close the gap any further on the determined West fine.

The foul line was the biggest difference in the final eight minutes as Wilson paraded to the line 19 times and made good on 14 to keep the contest from getting two far out of reach. The Rams only scored three field goals while pouring in 20 points in the fourth stanza.

The winners jumped to a quick 4-0 lead but saw the Rams come back to tie at 6-, 8- and 9-all before West took control of the fray and rebuffed any serious Wilson threat. Kicks provide the main impetus in the opening quarter, meshing seven of his eight points.

TAMERIUS TOOK control in the second period, connecting on four of six attempts from the floor for eight of his team’s 15 tallies. The ‘Cats took a 32-23 margin into the dressing room at the half.

Willowy center Shedwin took over the scoring lead in the third stanza, pumping in nine points on four of six two point tries and ne free throw, as West moved ahead 51-37, at the end of three.

It was Tamerius again in the final eight who came out as the individual leader with seven points.

A shifting, switching defense kept Wilson on its toes much of the night and the Tacomans found themselves rushing their shots and their accuracy off.

The Capital league’s No. 2 scorer, Gary Birchler, could manage only seven points, far below his 15.1 average. He hit on only two of 13 attempts from the floor.

QUICK GUARD Bill Parker paced the Ram attack with 17, seven coming from the foul line, six of them in the last eight minutes of action. He was at the line 10 times.

The leaping Wildcats out-rebounded the taller Rams, 43-33, with Shedwin hauling in 14 himself.

At the foul line, West was 10-17, while Wilson meshed 19 of 26.

The Rams connected on 19 of 30 field goal tries for 32.2 per cent.

Only one more season contest remains on the Wildcat schedule, that a double-A engagement at Silverdale Friday against Central Kitsap Cougars.

B Team Game

West (69) - Gordon 12, Gran 17, Shute 16, Tobacco 8, Costello 8, Chamberlain 8;

Wilson (65) - Bratton 19, Hall 12, Celam 11, One 6, Warden 4, Epstein 13, Crandell.