Strong third quarter propels Borderites to win

By Ian Ferguson

The boys basketball team overcame a lackluster first half to defeat the Meridian Trojans at senior night in a home game February 2.

The Borderites won the NWC matchup 68–59. Blaine head coach Shaun Pile said it was a strong third quarter that gave the Borderites the edge.

“Usually the third quarter is our nemesis because we don’t come out with a lot of energy after the half, but tonight we came out strong, turned up the pressure on defense and built a solid lead,” Pile said.

After trailing 35–31 at halftime, the Borderites outscored the Trojans 17–4 in the third quarter. Blaine used a half-court trap to force turnovers and outside shots.

In the fourth quarter, Meridian seemed to recover with scrappy shooting and more energy, but the Borderites were able to match the new intensity. Both teams scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, and Blaine held onto the nine-point lead for the win.

Point guard Ben Adams led the Borderites with 19 points, including three 3-pointers. Center Shaq Woods scored 17 points with 10 rebounds and one 3-pointer. Woods got into slight foul trouble in the first half, but played clean in the second half. No Borderites fouled out of the game. Forward Kier Munzanreder scored 16 points, and shot 7–7 from the free thrown line.

“We accepted the challenge of being down by three points at halftime, and we came out with a lot more energy. I was happy with the way we battled tonight,”

Pile said.

With the win, the Borderites are 4–7 in the NWC and 9–10 overall this season. The Trojans fell to 1–10 in conference and 5–14 overall.

Blaine currently stands fifth among 2A schools in the NWC. In order to make the post season, the Borderites must defeat Nooksack Valley in their next game on Thursday, February 4. The game is at Nooksack Valley and is the senior game for the Pioneers. Nooksack Valley is low in the standings of a very tough 1A division. The Pioneers handed the Borderites their first loss of the season, a 76–52 trouncing in

December.

“They’re real scrappy, and it’s in their house on their senior night, so it’s not going to be an easy win by any means. We have our work cut out for us,” Pile said.

The game at Nooksack Valley on Thursday, February 4 begins at 7:15 p.m.