| Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 - BREMERTONBASKETBALL.COM | |||
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Knights give Coach Davis perfect birthday present, WIAA Boys 2A District #1 seed |
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| Team defense through four quarters key to Bremerton's success |
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George Edgar (Sports Writer) |
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POULSBO – After losing to the Sequim Wolves on Monday night, the Bremerton Knights were in no mood to celebrate.
Wednesday night after they knocked off the Wolves 77-67 for the Olympic League’s No. 1 seed to districts, the Knights celebrated not only the win but also coach Miah Davis’ birthday.
The win was a complete turnaround from the previous 48 hours, where a 66-61 loss to the Wolves in the regular season finale left both teams tied atop the Olympic League standings and as league co-champs with identical 12-2 records. It also left a sour taste in the mouth of the Knights, who went cold in the final three minutes of the loss.
The tie led to the playoff tiebreaker at North Kitsap High School on Wednesday to see who would be the league’s number one seed to the Class 2A West Central District playoffs.
“There was not a lot of time to think about it,” said Bremerton coach Miah Davis. “Just jump right back in the water as if nothing happened.”
A lot happened in the first quarter, as Bremerton led 21-14, aided by nine points by Jalen Davis, and three-pointers by Jr. Davis-McWhorter and Dallin Anderson. But the Wolves closed the gap in the second quarter, cutting the lead down to three at halftime, 40-37.
But the Knights wanted to make sure they didn’t have another late game let down.
Coach Davis said, “After a lot of self-reflecting on the game, a lot of our mistakes throughout the year were on our own terms. When we look back at them, a different mentality comes out on the court, and that’s what you saw tonight.”
In the second half, the Wolves took a brief one-point lead, before the Knights retook the lead for good and kept Sequim at bay for the rest of the game.
“That fourth quarter showed who we are,” said coach Davis. “It was kind of a road game, though not a road game, but at the same time. It’s that resiliency. You’re in a game, you know you can pull away. We made all the right decision down the stretch, and that’s all I can ask.
Jalen Davis led the Knights with 32 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
Jaydon Turner, a freshman, had nine points in the second half, to help pull the Knights pull away. A three-pointer early in the fourth quarter, sparked the Knights.
“We got to see how he can play in the last game there,” said Davis. “I talked to him about a few things to make the game simple for him. When you can make the game more simpler, that’s when its easier you can take over a game.”
Frank Allen scored 15 points and was a defensive menace under the basket for the Knights. He was a perfect three-for-three shooting in the fourth quarter.
“That’s what you expect from senior leadership. He was on the floor more than anytime during his career. After the last game, he shed some tears, this game was meaningful for him.”
Now the Knights (15-5) will wait a week to see who they play in the district playoffs. They will have a first-round bye on Saturday, and plan to pack Les Eathorne Gym on Wednesday night for their quarterfinal.
“Seven days is perfect,” coach Davis said. “We have to stay in the weight room, and focus on what we can control, see what opponent that we land on Saturday and prepare for them.” J. Davis - 32 pts 10 reb 7 ast 5 stl 2 to F. Allen - 17 pts 7 reb 1 ast 1 stl 1 blk J. Turner - 9 pts 3 reb 4 ast 1 stl J. McWhorter - 5 pts 1 to E. Taylor - 4 pts 1 reb 3 ast 3 stl 1 blk 3 to A. Matthews - 2 pts 1 reb 2 ast 1 sst 1 blk 1 to
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George Edgar (Sports Writer) |
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