BOYS BASKETBALL: Park’s last-second layup gives TJ 64-63 win over Kentwood

The Thomas Jefferson Raiders continued their quest to qualify for the West Central District Tournament for the first time since 1985 with another impressive win Tuesday.

By Casey Olson • January 16, 2013 1:19 pm

The Thomas Jefferson Raiders continued their quest to qualify for the West Central District Tournament for the first time since 1985 with another impressive win Tuesday.

Trailing by one, senior guard Danny Park converted a layup at the buzzer to stun the Kentwood Conquerors, 64-63, in a key South Puget Sound League North Division matchup at TJ. The win moved the Raiders into a third-place tie in the SPSL North with a 7-3 record. Auburn leads the division at 9-1 and Tahoma is 8-3.

The Park layup as time expired capped an amazing fourth quarter comeback. The Raiders trailed by 14 points entering the final eight minutes, but outscored Kentwood, 24-9, in the fourth quarter to steal the win.

Junior Deonte Anderson led the way for TJ with 18 points and Daryon James ended up with 17.

The Raiders (8-5 overall) travel to Auburn Riverside Thursday night and host Kent-Meridian Saturday.

Beamer — The Titans just keep winning basketball games. Beamer downed a very hot Emerald Ridge team Tuesday, 57-46, to take over third place in the SPSL South. The Titans now sit 10-3 overall and 7-3 in the SPSL South, trailing only Curtis (10-1) and Federal Way (9-2).

Beamer outscored Emerald Ridge, 16-9, in the fourth quarter to blow open a fairly tight game. Juwan Flowers led a balanced scoring attack by Beamer with 14 points. Bogdon Blivenyuk and Trey Burch-Manning both finished with 10 points.

The Titans host Spanaway Lake Thursday and then travel to Curtis Saturday for a huge SPSL South showdown in University Place.

Federal Way — The Eagles got back to their usual winning ways Tuesday night with a 73-47 blowout of Spanaway Lake on the road. Federal Way (12-2 overall, 9-2 SPSL South) had lost two-straight games to Emerald Ridge and Beamer.

The Eagles jumped out to a commanding 37-18 lead after the first half and cruised.Brayon Blake led the way with 23 points and Adrian Davis finished with 14 for the Eagles.

Decatur — The Gators moved over .500 in the SPSL 3A Division with a home victory over the Auburn Mountainview Lions Tuesday, 54-48.

Decatur (8-6 overall, 3-2 SPSL 3A) had three players in double figures and were again led by guard Kevin Locascio. The senior finished with 16 points. Jason Young tallied 12 and Adam Wilson chipped in 11 for the Gators.