Victor James found his shooting rhythm just in time to rescue Hoquiam in the season’s first boys basketball meeting with Aberdeen.
James fired in 21 of his 28 points in the second half to rally the Grizzlies to a come-from-behind 68-62 victory over the Bobcats before a large and enthusiastic crowd Friday night at Sam Benn Gym.
A streak shooter who can become torrid from long range, James heated up in the final two quarters. The senior wing (who played junior varsity ball at Aberdeen as a sophomore) knocked down four 3-point baskets in the second half and tallied 13 points in the third quarter alone.
“I was getting better looks. My teammates were setting screens and getting me open,” James related.
“I prefer him shooting off the pass than off the dribble,” Hoquiam coach Curtis Eccles added. “With Matt’s presence inside, that enabled him to get better looks.”
Eccles was referring to sophomore post Matt Brown, who finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Payton Quintanilla added 12 points for the Grizzlies (2-4).
Senior guard Ben Dublanko topped Aberdeen with 22 points. Javier Bojorge added 13 points for AHS, while the Bobcats also received excellent production inside from juniors Derrell Shale (12 points and 14 rebounds) and Cody Sayres (10 points and six boards).
For a half, the Bobcats couldn’t have executed their game plan better.
Pushing the pace and forcing 13 Hoquiam turnovers with a swarming, pressing defense, Aberdeen led 31-21 at intermission. The margin was 12 when Aberdeen’s Alonzo Coburn opened the second half with a basket.
But the Grizzlies not only heated up from beyond the arc, they began forcing Bobcat turnovers after shifting into a 3-2 zone defense. James’ trey in the closing seconds of the third quarter tied it at 46.
Brown’s foul shot at the 3:29 mark of the fourth quarter gave Hoquiam a permanent lead at 55-54. James added another three-ball 26 seconds later.
Dublanko’s three at the 1:48 mark cut Hoquiam’s lead to 62-59. But Quintanilla went 4-for-6 from the foul line in the final 42 seconds to keep the Grizzlies safe.
It was the second straight contest in which the Grizzlies scored at least 40 points in the second half. Bobcat coach Mark Buckman was dismayed at Hoquiam’s 47-point output in the final two quarters Friday.
“We want to be the best defensive team in the league,” Buckman said. “To give up that many points in a rivalry game will not get it done.”
Outscored from the field, the Grizzlies converted 19 of 28 free throws. Aberdeen was 9 of 11 from the stripe.
James had five assists and three steals, while Brown and Jackson Folkers each came up with four steals.
Aberdeen’s Dublanko had a fine all-around performance with six rebounds, four steals and four assists.
The Grizzlies host Shelton on Monday. The Bobcats entertain Montesano on Wednesday.
Hoquiam 11 10 25 22 — 68
Aberdeen 17 14 15 16 — 62
Hoquiam (68) – Eccles 5, Folkers 3, Quintanilla 12, James 28, Brown 16, Dayton 4, Larsen. FG — 20-54 (.370). FT — 19-28.
Aberdeen (62) — Manwell 3, Bojorge 13, Dublanko 22, Coburn 2, Shale 12, Sayres 10, Pisani, Timmons, Elrod, Barragan. FG — 23-65 (.354). FT — 9-11.
JV — Aberdeen 69, Hoquiam 43. Billy Tinnell 16 points, Nick Farrer 14 for Aberdeen. Devin James 10 points for Hoquiam.
C squad — Hoquiam 47, Aberdeen 43.
