Poor free-throw shooting down the stretch hurt the Hawks in their bid to knock off first-place Mark Morris.
Hockinson played the Monarchs tight the whole game and had two opportunties to get within two points of the lead in the fourth quarter. But on both opportunities, the Hawks went 0 for 4 from the free throw line.
Mark Morris then made a couple of baskets to widen its lead and force Hockinson to foul.
Mark Morris went 9 for 11 on free throws in the fourth quarter, while Hockinson was 2 for 6.
“It was the most physical game that I’ve been part of while coaching at Hockinson,” Hockinson coach Matt Gruhler said. “The refs were calling it like a playoff game and letting a lot of things go. It was a great game, with a great crowd. I just wish things had gone better for us down the stretch.”
Doug Macdonald had eight points, eight rebounds and three assists, and Spencer Klug had nine points and four steals.
Gruhler commended Macdonald and Klug with a strong defensive effort of Mark Morris’ Rem Bakamus.
“Bakamus hurt us in our last game against them, hitting a bunch of big 3-pointers,” Gruhler said. “But tonight, we held him to no field goals and seven free throws.”
While the league title may be out of reach for Hockinson (7-10, 4-2 2A GSHL), the Hawks could clinch second place with a win over Washougal next Friday.
MARK MORRIS 44, HOCKINSON 33
MARK MORRIS — Rem Bakamus 7, Tapani 0, Tilton 4, Brill 16, White 7, Johnson 0, Kiser 0, Hahn 0, Littlefield 10. Totals 14 (2) 14-22 44.
HOCKINSON — Beau Sparks , Everett Klodt 0, Abe Weiss 4, Wyatt Yearout 2, Doug Macdonald 8, Taylor Rennaker , Spencer Klug 9, Cole Kirkpatrick 6, Justin Schauer 2, Alan Haagen , Jess Krahn 2, Hayden Hall. Totals 14 (3) 2-8 33.
Mark Morris 6 9 10 19–44
Hockinson 4 12 6 11–33
JV — Mark Morris won; C — Hockinson won.
