The Tumwater High School boys basketball team outlasted a fourth quarter surge by cross town rival A. G. West Black Hills High School on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 for a 2A EVCO victory 67-62. Senior Tumwater guard Camden Oram led all scores with 24 points. Black Hills guard Elyas Inman scored 18 for Black Hills including six 3-pointers.
Black Hills took a slight fourth quarter lead at 52-50 with under two minutes remaining and then Tumwater scored the next five points to make it 52-55. With under a minute remaining Black Hills tied the game and Camden Oram’s shot at the horn missed the mark to put the game into the overtime period.
Overtime saw Tumwater regain efficiency scoring the first nine points and never allowing Black Hills back into the game. Tumwater (9-3, 4-1 2A EVCO) moves on to its final game Friday at Rochester and Black Hills (7-5, 6-2 EVCO) host 2A EVCO leader WF West. Both teams play cross-over playoff games against 2A Greater St. Helens opponents next week.
Josh Wilson, head coach for Tumwater was proud of his team. “We stuck with it and kept fighting when the momentum turned against us,” Wilson stated. “We showed great mental toughness. Hats off to Black Hills for a great effort in another exciting rivalry game.”
For Black Hills Head Coach Jeff Gallagher, the game reminded him of the season as a whole. “It has been and interesting season,” Gallagher stated. “I applaud all the teams and the struggle each of us has had playing during this COVID Season. We are very young, but I’m pleased with my team’s effort and with a few of my older athletes and the leadership roles they have played.”
