Cue up the Jaws music.
The Fort Vancouver Trappers are on the basketball court, on the hunt, searching for weak passes, looking for unsuspecting prey in the form of loose balls.
“Blood in the water,” senior Jordan Suell said. “We just came out and attacked like sharks.”
Suell scored 29 points, and the Trappers improved to 3-0 this boys basketball season with a 79-67 win at Evergreen.
The Trappers had 14 steals and forced Evergreen into 22 turnovers.
Suell had two steals that led to two dunks in the decisive third quarter, when Fort outscored the Plainsmen 22-5 to take a 15-point lead.
“Our coach says attitude and effort,” Suell said. “And we got the win tonight.”
That coach would be new head coach James Ensley, who has the Trappers playing inspired ball.
“The kids are working hard,” Ensley said. “They bought in, and they’re playing with their heart and not their head.”
It’s fun on the court for the Trappers. And it’s fun in the stands for the Fort fans.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a crowd this big for a road game before,” Suell said. “It’s good to see all the support.”
Fort fever. Catch it!
“Our students are unbelievable right now,” Ensley said. “They are wanting to go to our games. They’re talking about it in school. They want to be a part of this, and we want them to be a part.”
Winning will do that. Plus a style that leads to dunks and no-look passes.
“I think we can be pretty good,” Suell said. “I think we’re going to put on a little run. We tried to make a statement tonight.”
Fort beat Class 1A La Center and Class 2A Hudson’s Bay in its first two games. This victory came against a 4A team led by Washington State signee Robert Franks.
Evergreen led 38-36 at the break, with Franks scoring 11 points and grabbing nine rebounds, including five offensive boards.
Fort, though, responded with a flurry of points in the third quarter and a defense that left Evergreen searching for answers.
“They were killing us on the boards,” Ensley said, specifically Franks. “We needed to get him out. I believe he only had one offensive rebound in the second half. Then Evergreen’s legs got a little bit tired, and we managed a pretty good run.”
Malachi King had 14 of his 16 points in the second half for Fort. He also had six assists and four steals.
The Trappers scored the final 12 points of the third quarter to go up 15. The lead grew to as many as 17 in the fourth.
Evergreen pulled within nine and had the ball to try to get it to seven, but Fort’s David Bishop blocked a shot, King grabbed the rebound and went all the way to the basket for a 70-59 advantage with 2:16 to play.
Suell finished 9 of 17 from the floor, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range. He also had four steals.
Jordan Henderson led Evergreen with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting. He also grabbed nine rebounds. The Trappers took advantage of his absence, though, when Henderson picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter and headed to the bench for an extended stay.
Franks, who has signed with Washington State, finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. Kobey Eaton made his season debut and scored 11 points for the Plainsmen.
FORT VANCOUVER 79, EVERGREEN 67
FORT VANCOUVER — Will Doty 9, Billy Henderson 9, Jorge Regalado 4, Malachi King 16, Jordan Suell 29, Kyron Lowe-Ash 2, Jacob Brugman 4, David Bishop 6. Totals 28-61 (5-15) 18-27 79.
EVERGREEN — John Hansberry 0, Kobey Eaton 11, Robert Franks 18, Tyrus Hosley 8, Jordan Henderson 20, Costel David 4, Michael Bozovich 2, Mitchell Carnahan 4. Totals 24-51 (2-12) 17-24 67.
Ft. Vanc. 18 18 22 21—79
Evergreen 18 20 5 24—67
