While Kentridge remains undefeated and alone at the top of the South Puget Sound League North’s boys basketball standings, the three teams tied for second heading into play Tuesday night battled it out.
Tahoma traveled to Kentwood looking to avenge an overtime loss in the first game of league play while Auburn Riverside hosted Kentlake. The Bears, Conquerors and Ravens all boasted a 5-3 league record heading into the second half of league play Tuesday night.
Kentwood took the season sweep with a 57-52. Tahoma came back from being down in the first quarter to tie it up at halftime and it was close down the stretch before Kentwood pulled off the victory to improve to 6-3 in division play.
Heading into the game against Tahoma, Kentwood was coming off a 41-38 win over Kentlake at home in the inaugural Battle of the 272 event Jan. 10 then followed that up with a 73-63 victory over Mount Rainier in a game which was originally scheduled for Dec. 20 but was postponed due to the snow that canceled classes in the Highline School District.
Tahoma, meanwhile, lost a close one Jan. 10 on the road at Thomas Jefferson, dropping the contest 55-51.
Auburn Riverside beat Kentlake 71-63 Tuesday night to improve to 6-3 in league play, as well, however the Ravens have a slight edge over the Conquerors thanks to a narrow victory Dec. 17. Riverside and Kentwood will meet again Jan. 28.
In girls action, the Kentlake-Kentwood matchup led off the doubleheader of the Battle of the 272 Jan. 10, with the packed gym making the contest feel like the playoffs.
Kentwood improved to 6-1 in league play with a 56-32 victory over Kentlake in which Sarah Toeaina and Kate Kramer, who was in her third game back after a knee injury, chipped in 20 points each for the Conquerors.
Kentlake was coming off its third league win of the season Jan. 7 against Thomas Jefferson and scrapped against Kentwood, cutting a double digit lead to three before halftime and closing it to one point before the Conks stretched it out in a wild game.
Kentlake then put together a 48-41 victory Tuesday night over Auburn Riverside to improve to 4-5 in league.
Kentwood came off a 55-12 defeat of Auburn Jan. 7 but turned around Jan. 11 to make up a postponed game against Mount Rainier.
The Conks came up short against the Rams, losing 76-58, but will have another shot at Mount Rainier Jan. 24.
Tahoma’s girls put together a 60-23 win at home against Thomas Jefferson Jan. 10. The Conks defeated the Bears 66-53 Tuesday.