4A State, Day-4

Coach Pat Mullen’s Bethel Braves ground out a 33-29 win over defending champion Kentwood to become the 2005 WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington Class 4A Boy’s State Champions Saturday night in the Tacoma Dome.

6-8 senior Alex Tiefenthaler, a University of Portland signee, scored 13 points while Mike Yusko added 11 in a defensive battle for the Big Gold Ball. Senior guard Jordan Sutton sealed the deal with a pair of free throws with 10 ticks remaining. The Braves took just 30 shots from the field in a game more reminiscent of the style of the 1950s. They combined for just five points over the final six and a half minutes.

Aaron Boyce scored 12 to pace Kentwood, who had an eight game winning streak spanning three state tournaments broken. The Conqs last lost in the 2003 semifinals to Franklin.

Bethel’s four seniors, Tiefenthaler, Sutton, Brandon Moore and Jamil Turner, have been the backbone of Mullen’s program for three years and wind up their prep careers with a 76-10 varsity record. They finished third at state in 2004. This is Bethel's first state basketball championship.

Some say the toughest trophy to win is third place. Less than 24 hours ago you were tipping off a semifinal with hopes of getting to the championship. The disappointment in not reaching that goal can be emotionally as well as physically draining.

Mountlake Terrace took third place, 64-43 over South Kitsap. Christian Hammond and Adrian Blake (pictured at left) both scored 15 while Mike Boxley added 13 with 7 boards. Terrace jumped out to a 13-0 lead and never trailed. It was the Hawks’ highest placing at state since 1989 when they took the fifth place trophy. Terrace finished 22-6 while South Kitsap, undefeated in the regular season, dropped to 26-3.

Eisenhower captured 4th place, topping Snohomish 65-62. Jack Loofburrow scored 16 while Brandon Johnson and Nate Gipson added 14 each. Jon Brockman ended his high school career with a 27-point, 15-rebound effort and surpassed the 2,000-point mark for his prep career. Jake Hammons added 17 points. Ike finishes 25-4 while Snoho dropped to 20-8.

Inglemoor took Prairie 51-48 to capture fifth place and their first state tournament hardware in school history. Skyler Riley scored 16. Orlandor Westbrooks had 15 in the loss. The Vikings finished 24-3. Prairie takes home 8th place at 24-8.

The league breakdown for the tournament ends:

SPSL 8-3

KingCo 4-3

WesCo 5-5

Big Nine 3-3

Narrows 3-4

GSHL 2-4

GSL 1-4