MARYSVILLE – The taller they all the harder they fall, or something like that.
Kamiak’s 7-foot center Ryker Wuttke had two blocks in the first three minutes of Wednesday’s game at Marysville Getchell.
But the Chargers kept challenging him all night inside and ended up with a hard-fought 53-52 victory.
Crosstown rival Marysville-Pilchuck lost to that same team last week.
Sophomore guard Malakhi Knight led the winners with 19 points, but it was a rebound he wrestled away from Wuttke with 14.5 seconds left in the game that really clinched the victory.
It can be cliche when coaches say it was a team victory, but this one really was.
Knight, and fellow sophomore guard Josiah Koellmer, were effective driving to the hoop for baskets. Koellmer also stood out driving to the basket and dishing off to Matt Thomas once Wuttke came over to try to block his shot. Knight was also Mr. Smooth shooting from the outside, and Caleb Koellmer also was confident in his shooting. Lul William and Mejinta Adams-Taylor came off the bench to provide tough defense and rebounding.
MG took a 7-0 lead on a 3-pointer by Caleb, a bucket inside by Knight, and after Thomas scored onside after an assist from Caleb. William tallied an old-fashioned 3-point play and Knight challenged and scored over Wuttke to make it 14-10 at the end of the first period.
Adams-Taylor scored on a follow-up after grabbing an offensive board to make it 21-17 in the second period. But MG made just 4 of 10 free throws and went cold from the field to trail at the half 28-22.
In the third quarter, MG went on a 13-0 run to go up 35-28. A 3 by Caleb, three buckets by Knight, one on a nice pass from Caleb off the fastbreak, an offensive rebound and bucket by Thomas, and a drive by Josiah keyed the rally. Kamiak changed things up with a press, but Josiah scored a layup and then hit a 3 after missing another layup as MG led 42-36 after three quarters.
In the fourth, Knight hit a 3, and Josiah drove twice to the hoop and passed off to Thomas. Kamiak switched to a half-court zone and Caleb calmly hit a deep 3 to put the home team up 52-48 with 1:40 remaining, then held on to win.
Thomas scored 10, Josiah and Caleb 9 each, William 3, Adams-Taylor 2 and Chase Showalter 1.
In other games Wednesday, M-P beat Jackson 61-47 and Arlington lost to Sedro-Woolley 54-51.
Cameron Stordahl led M-P with 23, Luke Dobler 14, Ethan Jackson 10, Brady Phelps and Aaron Kalab 5 each, Alec Jones-Smith 3 and Treven Southard 1.
Arlington stayed close to S-W the entire game but fell short. Josh Gutierrez scored 20, Anthony Whitis 19, Will Abram 6, and scoring 2 each were Max Smith, Michael Tsoukalas and Quintin Yon-Wagner.
In wrestling Wednesday, Edmonds-Woodway whipped Arlington 51-15.
At 152 pounds, Gavin Howell won 8-5; at 170 pounds, Kristian Fairbanks won by pin; and at 182 pounds Levi Wiseman won by injury default.
