DeMar Johnson scored 17 points, and Josh Conerly Jr. had 14 points and 13 rebounds to carry No. 4-seed Rainier Beach to a 53-50 victory over Mount Spokane in the 3A boys state semifinals on Friday night. FOX13
A dominant third quarter from the Vikings broke open what had been a close contest through halftime. Rainier Beach outscored the Wildcats 21-10 in the quarter to take a 43-35 lead. The Vikings scored seven of the first 10 points of the fourth quarter to push their advantage to 50-38.
Mount Spokane managed to cut into the lead down the stretch. Consecutive baskets from Xavier Kamalu-Vargas trimmed the lead to 52-48 with just 44 seconds remaining. Rainier Beach would miss four straight attempts from the free throw line to give the Wildcats a chance to close even further. Instead, turnovers on the ensuing possessions thwarted the comeback chance.Rainier Beach will face No. 2 Auburn on Saturday night for the 3A championship.