In a game to end the season or advance to the State 4A boys basketball tournament, Mead had a shot to tie in the final seconds.
Mead senior Max Hess launched the shot, but the ball rimmed in and out and sent Central Valley into the final round of 16 teams with a 54-51 hard-fought win over the Greater Spokane League rival Panthers.
Bears coach Rick Sloan gathered his team in the locker room after the game and growled. The team growled back and cheered as the Bears (20-5) now wait to find out who they play next in the pursuit of a state title.
“That was a pretty good game,” Sloan said. “I thought both teams defended well, but we just came out on top.”
Mead coach Glenn Williams told his team after the game that they had reached their potential, despite the loss in the 4A subregional. The Panthers beat Gonzaga Prep, Lewis and Clark and University in districts before losing Friday at Richland in the subregional.
“There is no quit in these kids,” Williams said. “Our play in the last couple of weeks is what we were capable of. I told them, ‘You don’t get to write how the story ends. But it wasn’t for lack of effort.’”
Mead (13-12) took the early lead until Central Valley’s Max Sykes got a steal, drive and dunk to tie the game at 9 early in the first period.
Mead then got two huge 3s from Blake Ellingsen and timely scoring from Hess, Dedrick Pakootas and Will McPhee for a 26-23 lead at halftime.
But the Panthers had few answers for the Bears’ Cameron Tucker and Michael Hannan, who continually drove the lane and hit contested shots.
“Tucker was so tough for CV,” Williams said. “He’s so relentless and athletic.”
Tucker completed a double-double by leading all scorers with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Josh Thomas had 12 points for the Bears and Hannan had 13 points and eight rebounds.
“Coach told us to just keep battling,” said Tucker, a 6-foot-4 junior. “I just wanted to keep winning for the seniors. It feels great.”
McPhee led the Panthers with 12 points. Ellingsen and Hess both finished with 11 points.
But with the game clock winding down and the Bears up 54-51, Hess dribbled open and launched the shot to tie. It rimmed in and out and the celebration for the Bears began.
“I told the team that … if they learn something in adversity and apply it later in life,” Williams said, “then it’s a successful season.”