The boys basketball team from North Thurston High School defeated Timberline High School 56-54 on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. In a cross-town rivalry WIAA 3A Puget Sound League game, North Thurston led most of the game but held off a second-half surge by the Blazers.
Kurt Cavalier led the Rams with 12 points for the night as North Thurston (3-4, 3-2 PSL) spread the scoring between most of its players. Timberline (4-2. 3-2 PSL) junior DJ Falco led the Blazers with 17 points. Scores were 17-8 and 37-22 after the first two quarters of play. Timberline outscored North Thurston 16-6 and had several chances to tie the game or take the lead in the final moments but could not find a way to steal the victory.
Mike Connor, head coach for North Thurston, was proud of his team’s play. “It was another great game in the long history of this rivalry and we did a very good job of executing our game plan and playing really unselfish basketball,” Connor remarked. “I’m extremely proud of the resilience our guys showed in the final minutes, after our halftime lead all but evaporated. Every night is going to be a battle in this league, and I’ve been really impressed with how much heart this team has shown so far.”
Both teams look to improve heading into Puget Sound League play after the Christmas holiday. North Thurston and Timberline both reached the State Finals at the Tacoma Dome last year and look to find a way to the tournament with seeds in the new challenging Puget Sound League that includes new members Bellarmine Prep and Lincoln.
Timberline head coach Allen Thomas, coaching his 12th year for the Blazers, likes the teamwork and dynamic play his team is producing. “Our chemistry and work ethic and togetherness has improved and I’m excited about the way we are developing,” Thomas declared. “We are a mix of experience and younger pieces and we are dynamic as those younger pieces are focusing on defense and moving the ball.”
The North Thurston Dance Team performed at half-time with a hip-hop routine. The team recently qualified for Districts in the hip-hop category. Alisha Blain, head coach, has a team of nine members. “We qualified at our first competition and are thrilled,” Blain stated. “We just have a great team that is a family and I’m looking forward to Districts.”
The boys team from North Thurston hosts Capital in Puget Sound League play on Thursday, December 19, 2024 and Timberline takes a small break before a non-league winter break game at Olympia on December 28.
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