BELLEVUE – The Mount Si Wildcats boys’ basketball team’s playoff chances are up in the air after the team was defeated in two games last week.
Three-point shooting was the key last Tuesday as the Interlake Saints won by 10 points over the Wildcats at Interlake. The Saints shot 46 percent from beyond the arc, while Mount Si only shot 18 percent from the perimeter. Interlake’s Bryce Brigham led all scorers with 27 points as the Saints picked up the 64-54 decision. Ryan Reilly led Mount Si in defeat with 13 points, while Kyle Meuli scored 11 off the bench to pace the Wildcats. Viet Dang scored 14 points, despite being assessed a technical foul, to help Interlake’s effort. Jimmy King’s 10 paced the Saints to victory.
Mount Si gave Mercer Island a battle at times Friday on the island, but it was the Islanders who had the last laugh. Alex Stuck scored 15 points, Kael Kristof added 14 and Noah Blakney pitched in 13 to lead the Islanders to a 65-51 win. The Wildcats outscored the Islanders 18-7 in the third quarter to rally from a 37-24 halftime deficit, then saw MI pull away 21-9 in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.
Three-point shooting was critical again as Mercer Island hit seven shots from outside the arc, while Mount Si mustered only one three-point shot, courtesy of Meuli, on 11 attempts. Mac Farnsworth scored 15 points to lead the Wildcats in defeat. Kevin Englund added 10 to aid Mount Si’s cause.
Despite the two losses this week, help from other teams has given Mount Si new life. The Wildcats can still finish fifth in Kingco, but they can also finish out of the postseason. To grab a postseason slot, the Wildcats would have to win both games at home this week and hope that Bellevue and Newport both do not pull upsets in other games those teams play. Mount Si played the Wolverines Tuesday after press time and wrap up the regular season with a contest Friday at home against the Knights. The 7:30 p.m. tip-off will be the final Mount Si home game for seniors Tierney, Farnsworth, Zach Bowen, and Jon Clegg. Bellevue this week also plays Mercer Island (Friday), while Newport, prior to their Friday clash with Mount Si, played Sammamish Tuesday after press time.
Should the Wildcats make the postseason, Kingco Tournament action begins Tuesday, at a time to be determined at Bellevue Community College. Action continues through Friday with all games except two games on Wednesday at BCC. Wednesday’s games (should Mount Si play) will be at Issaquah High School. Admission to the tournament games is $6 for adults, $4 for Mount Si students with an ASB card. The top five teams will advance to the SeaKing District tournament. A full tournament bracket is posted online on the boys basketball page at www.mountsiwildcats.com.
