Caleb Dressler had a triple-double, Jahmil Johnson hit several huge shots, and the Evergreen Plainsmen played clutch defense when it mattered most to upend host Kent Meridian 74-71 in double overtime on Tuesday.
The dramatic start to the Class 4A bi-district boys basketball tournament means Evergreen (14-7) will play Kentlake or Olympia at 6 p.m. on Friday at Auburn High School.
The Plainsmen earned the win by blanking Royals in the second overtime. Jalen Ballard’s only point of the night gave Evergreen a 72-71 lead with less than 30 seconds to go in the second OT. Tre Clark hit two free throws with one second left to seal the win.
“At the right time the guys stepped up and played some excellent defense,” Evergreen coach Kelly Blankenship said.
Dressler was big all night. The senior post had 31 points, 22 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. Among his big baskets was a layup off a feed from Thomas Phillips late in a see-saw fourth quarter.
Johnson hit two huge 3-pointers. One was a deep shot at the fourth-quarter buzzer off a feed from
Ballard to force overtime. He then hit another 3-pointer late in the second OT.
Clark finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. He had two key rebounds at the end of the first overtime.
EVERGREEN 74, KENT-MERIDIAN 71
EVERGREEN (14-7) — Jared Price 0, Jalen Ballard 1, Ajay Jenkins 4, David Shirts 4, Jahmil Johnson 14, Tre Clark 15, Austin Gurnsey 3, Andrew White 2, Caleb Dressler 31, Thomas Phillips 0, Andrew Morris 0. Totals 28 (2) 16-30 74.
KENT-MERIDIAN — Barone 16, Banks 15, Dailey 14, Kamara 0, Brown 2, Breceno 2, Brar 20, Howard 2. Totals 25 (6) 15-21 71.
Evergreen 7 20 16 19 9 3–74
K-Meridian 14 15 11 22 9 0–71
