Raymond controlled the second half to pick up a 60-47 victory over Montesano on Wednesday at Montesano High School.
The Seagulls (5-3 overall) and Bulldogs (1-6) played a back-and-forth first half that ended tied at 25-all before Raymond outscored Monte 35-22 in the second half, paced by a big fourth quarter from star senior guard Morgan Anderson.
Raymond took an early 10-4 lead on an Anderson turnaround jumper at 2:23 in the first quarter before Monte responded with 7-0 run, taking an 11-10 lead on standout senior Tyce Peterson’s steal and layup.
The Seagulls closed the quarter on a three by senior guard Jarrod Gunderson to take a 13-11 lead after the first eight minutes of play.
The opening minutes of the second quarter consisted of the two teams never being separated by more than three points.
Down 19-16 with just under four minutes left in the first half, Montesano’s full-court press defense began to prove fruitful as Raymond turnovers led to Monte possessions and points.
The Bulldogs went on an 8-0 run and took a 24-19 lead on a Peterson three with 2:35 left in the first half.
But Raymond outscored Monte 6-1 over the final 2:30 of the second quarter — including a highlight-reel drive and windmill layup by junior center Talan Yearout — as the two teams entered halftime tied at 25-25.
RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Raymond’s Talon Yearout scores on a drive and windmill layup while Montesano’s Gabe Bodwell (10) defends during the Seagulls’ 60-47 victory on Wednesday at Montesano High School. Yearout was one of three Seagulls to score in double figures in the game.
Halfway through the third quarter, Raymond took a 36-29 lead after Anderson drilled a three then buried a jumper.
Peterson pulled the Bulldogs to within five by grabbing an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and scoring to cut the deficit to 36-31.
But Raymond outscored Monte 6-3 over the final three minutes of the quarter, taking a 42-34 lead on senior guard Daniel Medeiros’ jump shot with 48.5 seconds to go.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Seagulls as Anderson’s offensive talent took over the game. The 6-foot-2 guard scored 11 of his team high 23 points in a variety of ways. Anderson scored using a baseline drive-reverse layup, a breakaway fake-pass left handed-layup, and went 3 of 3 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter.
Anderson pump-faked into a pull-up jumper in the paint to stake Raymond to a 58-45 lead with 2:13 left, securing the victory for the Seagulls.
“That’s what he does,” Raymond head coach Mike Tully said of Anderson’s ability to put his team on his back and produce late in games. “He’s done that all year for us and has really done that throughout his career when he’s had to. It’s no surprise he’s able to keep doing that. He’s a good ballplayer and has a knack for hitting big shots in big moments.”
Anderson also grabbed nine rebounds, had five steals and three assists for Raymond.
Yearout and Kai Heuy added 10 points apiece for Raymond, which had five different players score two or more field goals in the game.
As a team, Raymond shot 55% from the field on 34-of-62 shooting and went 10 for 13 from the free-throw line (73%).
“In the first half and the beginning of the second half, my shots weren’t falling, but my team was able to step up and have confidence in themselves. This was a team win,” Anderson said. “When my teammates are able to step up like that, that really opens things up for me and gives me confidence that we have this game under wraps. I can go and do my thing and do the work I’m supposed to do.”
The supporting casts turned out to be the difference-maker in the non-league matchup.
Peterson led all scorers with 27 points as Monte’s dynamic scorer made four 3-pointers in the game and scored on several offensive rebounds and drives to the basket.
PHOTO BY FOREST WORGOM Montesano senior Tyce Peterson (23) deflects a pass by Raymond guard Chris Quintana during the Seagulls’ 60-47 victory on Wednesday at Montesano High School. Peterson led all scorers with 27 points.
But aside from Peterson, Montesano didn’t get much offense. The Bulldogs shot 22 of 61 as a team (36%) and went 4 of 14 from the free-throw line (28%).
Monte freshman guard Terek Gunter was the only other Bulldog to record more than one field goal in the game with nine points.
Montesano will host Columbia-White Salmon at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Raymond will open its Raymond Holiday Classic invitational against Hoquiam at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Raymond 13 12 17 18 — 60
Montesano 11 14 9 13 — 47
Scoring: R — Anderson 23, Heuy 10, Yearout 10, Gunderson 10, Quintana 6, Medeiros 4. M — Peterson 27, Gunter 9, Adams 3, Stevenson 3, Bodwell 2, Taylor 2, Cobb 1.
