As Prairie exited its locker room incomes its first state in boys basketball since 2019, coach Jimmy Tuominen fist-bumped each participant and mentioned, “Enjoy it.”
The Falcons positive did — a convincing 71-44 bi-district residence victory over Timberline of Lacey on Thursday. The 3A Better St. Helens League champions will study their seed and opponent Sunday for the Class 3A state match.
The previous two weeks have been up and down within the win-loss column. The Falcons (16-9) are 3-2 over their previous 5 video games, however Thursday’s victory with out query, gamers and coaches mentioned, was a top-3 of greatest video games performed all yr.
Particularly given what was at stake.
Carson Morningstar’s double-double of 25 factors and 15 rebounds, plus one other 24 factors from Malachi Patton paced the Falcons in a sport they led from begin to end.
Prairie’s sizzling begin got here on subject targets by 4 totally different starters. It had its first double-digit lead by the 2-minute mark of the primary quarter and a 22-point halftime benefit.
Sharing the ball and discovering the open teammates bought Prairie going early, Morningstar mentioned, however what’s been key all season for Prairie additionally occurred Thursday, he added.
“Our best offense is our defense,” the 6-foot-7 junior mentioned. “We were getting stops, getting rebounds and everything we needed to do to make it happen.”
Morningstar did a lot of his injury within the paint whereas Patton shot lights out from mid-range. The 2 mixed for 14 of the crew’s 18 third-quarter factors. Patton’s back-to-back jumpers gave Prairie a 68-38 lead with 3:14 left within the third. At one stretch, he hit 4 subject targets over a span of two:30 off the clock.
“I felt like the ball was on fire and felt like every shot I was going to take was going to go in,” Patton mentioned. “I’m not going to lie, my confidence was through the roof.”
The 2019 Prairie crew that reached the Class 3A state match went 17-9 that season. This yr’s Prairie crew is extra on the youthful facet, and options simply two seniors. One senior, Riley Burke (6 factors) is within the beginning lineup and has seen crew development and a change in tradition for the higher.
“We have great teammates, great players off and on the floor,” Burke mentioned. “I feel so comfortable around these guys and our chemistry is through the roof.”
Jamir Jones added 11 for the Falcons.
Kenyon SImmons led Timberline with 12 factors.
—
PRAIRIE 71, TIMBERLINE 44
PRAIRIE — Jamir Jones 11, Malachi Patton 24, Ben Nkansah 4, Brady Davidson 1, Carson Morningstar 25, Tavin Timperley 0, Daniel Carbajal-Vargas 0, Riley Burke 4, Griffin Smith 2, Jared Femling 0, Rex Lovejoy 0, Tevita Ngauamo 0. Totals 31 (1) 6-8 71.
TIMBERLINE — Damari Evans 0, DJ Falco 6, Carmelo Roper 12, Josh Tichenor 8, Leon Heilman 10, Alex Kumher 0, Will Roraback 0, Isaiah Tillman 4, Arilson Lima 2, Lucas Thompson 0. Totals 18 (4) 4-7 44.
Timberline 6 14 12 12 – 44
Prairie 21 15 18 17 – 71