Luke Hits Buzzer Beater to Top Edmonds in Rivalry Showdown

Everett, WA – In a Trojan/Triton rivalry game with as much at stake in any of recent history, the two foes met on Wednesday night in a north region showdown to gain positioning for the playoffs.  Entering the contest Edmonds held the #2 spot, while Everett at #3 was two games back. 

Both teams started out incredibly hot, providing great entertainment for the large crowd on hand.  Halfway through the first half, a total of 49 points were scored and Everett held onto a one-point lead.  Edmonds went on a run to build a nine-point lead with five minutes to play, but the Trojans finished the half on a 14-4 run to take a one-point lead at the half, 44-43.  Tyriq Luke had a big half going 6 of 10 from the field and scoring 15 points.  Leon Sayers also had a strong half making 5 of 6 and scoring 11.

The two teams exchanged blows in the second half with nine lead changes by the eleven-minute mark.  Everett had a one point lead at 64-65 before going on a 15-4 run that included three made 3-point field goals by three different players.  Up by twelve the Trojans had all the momentum only to see it slip away as Edmonds chipped back at it.  With 37 seconds to go Chris Lee from Edmonds (who finished with 27 points) hit a three to bring Edmonds to within one.  After a Trojan turnover, Chris Lee made another bucket with 2.5 seconds remaining. 

Coach Trautman called a timeout to draw up a play, needing to go the full 94 feet.  Jordan Medcalf took the inbounds and found Tucker Molina, who turned and hit a running Tyriq Luke who got the shot off just before the buzzer and hit a nothing but net floater to win in heroic fashion. 

Luke finished the game with a team high 25 points, and Colton Spencer scored 17.  Leon Sayers finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.  Tony MacArthur came off the bench to play great defensively and also contributed 10 points. 

The win moves Everett to 7-5, third place in the north region standings and now just a game back from Edmonds.  With two games left on the schedule, it is still possible to finish in second, and they control their own destiny.  To do so they will need a win on Saturday at home against Olympic on sophomore night, before a tough road trip to Peninsula who recently clinched the north region championship.

Game time for Saturday is set for 4pm against Olympic on Larry Walker Court at the Walt Price Center.