Puyallup takes much-needed step in journey by winning 4A SPSL boys basketball championship, 3 takeaways

Vikings get a game-high 17 points from both Mason Sonntag and Will Nasinec in holding off Emerald Ridge for league crown

Drew Jones and Puyallup boys came up clutch by winning the 4A SPSL tournament with a 53-48 victory over Emerald Ridge on Saturday night. / Photo by Todd Milles

TACOMA, Wash. - Puyallup was appointed preseason favorite in 4A SPSL boys basketball - and the Vikings played like the league's best team down the stretch in collecting a redemptive victory.

A year after losing to Sumner in the league tournament championship game, Puyallup emerged from a tussle witin intra-district rival Emerald Ridge with a 53-48 victory Saturday night at Tacoma Community College.

Will Nasinec tallied 15 of his shared team-high 17 points in the second half, including inside buckets on back-to-back Puyallup possessions in the final two minutes to give the Vikings a 50-44 lead.

Given the game was tied on nine separate occasions in the second half, a six-point lead proved pivotal for Puyallup.

Zone-beater Mason Sonntag also had 17 points, and Drew Jones added 15 in the victory.

Jamaize McGriff led all scorers with 21 points for the Jaguars, who tied the game one final time at 43-43 on the junior's field goal with 3:20 remaining before Puyallup responded with three consecutive Nasinec baskets, triggered by a tiebreaking 3-pointer.

"You look at our season, we haven't had a lot of close games where we had to work down the stretch playing in that pressure situation," Puyallup coach Kevin Olson said. "This was another big step in that ... and confidence is building."

Here are three takeaways from the Puyallup-Emerald Ridge girls game:

---

PUYALLUP COUNTERS EMERALD RIDGE ZONE

Two weeks ago, as Emerald Ridge began its late-season surge, the Jaguars primarly played zone defense against Puyallup - and scored a 65-52 home victory.

Because of what is perceived as limited perimeter-shooting weapons past Jones and Nasinec, Olson said he's seen more opponents use that strategy later in the season.

"We've been working on that. It's been a thing that people have started doing against us," Olson said. "We know that is the word on the street is that we cannot beat a zone ... but we've been workoing on some things to get our big guys the ball around the basket. And the other thing is that we had playing tentative aganst it before."

Much of Sonntag's overall effectiveness Saturday came as the middle man against the zone, knocking down 8- to 10-foot shots in the lane, which he did consistently.

Combined with Lawson Looker's ability to find penetration against it, especially late in the game on those two quick baskets - and Nasinec and Jones making enough 3-pointers - the Vikings should feel much better about countering that recent trend.

---

DREW JONES IS THE STRAW THAT STIRS THE DRINK

Puyallup is junior-dominated, but the senior who leads the way is the wiggly, aggressive Jones, who became the school's latest 1,000-point scorer earlier this season.

Yes, Jones will take a few wild moves off the dribble, or a couple ill-timed shots. But his ability to create offense on his own is unmatched on this team, and he usually comes through in key moments.

Jones made just five of 19 field goals Saturday. But he got the Vikings off fast with two quick baskets. He drilled a 3-pointer to end the first half - and repeated that in the final minute of the third quarter.

"When things break down, you've got to have a guy who can go make things happen," Olson said. "He is our guy. I have been coaching this guy for four years now ... and he's a true competitor. All he cares about his winning for his teammates now.

"This is his year, and he's trying to get after it. I just love the kid ... and he's got the keys to the car."

---

JAMAIZE MCGRIFF iS A HANDFUL

Before the loss Saturday, Emerald Ridge had won nine of its previous 10 games.

And it's no secret why - the team is playing better defense and McGriff, a springy 6-foot-6 junior, is one of the biggest challenges in the league to stop.

On Saturday, the Jaguars were in this the entire way despite 17 turnovers and making just nine of 19 free-throw attempts.

Emerald Ridge shot it decently (16-for-36) from the floor, including five 3-pointers.

"Defensively, we are playing better. We held them to 53 points, and you should be able to win those games," Emerald Ridge coach Pat Mullen said. "Our guys are starting to share the basketball ... and shoot it pretty well.

"(McGriff) is starting to get more offensive rebounds and starting to get to the rim a little more. He really takes a pounding and just keeps going and going."

---