Boys basketball: Lindbergh trips Sequim in district opener

A second half rally that saw Sequim go up by two points late faded as Lindbergh hit key free throws down the stretch, giving the host Eagles at 58-49 victory in the opening game of the West Central District tournament Thursday night.

A second half rally that saw Sequim go up by two points late faded as Lindbergh hit key free throws down the stretch, giving the host Eagles at 58-49 victory in the opening game of the West Central District tournament Thursday night.

Lindbergh (11-8) moves on to play River Ridge in the championship bracket of the tourney Saturday while Sequim (14-7) will play North Mason in a loser-out consolation bracket game at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night at Curtis High School in Tacoma. Sequim needs to win their next three games to qualify for the class 2A state tournament.

On Thursday, Lindbergh dominated early after jumping to a 14-7 lead after one quarter and 31-18 halftime advantage. Led by Alex Barry and Vance Willis, however, the Wolves chipped away at Lindbergh’s lead and trailed by just six (41-35) entering the fourth quarter.

In the final frame, Willis had a three-point play to push Sequim ahead, 49-47. Lindbergh tied the game, then took the lead for good with 1:36 on the clock when Anthony Hill had a second chance basket to give Lindbergh a 51-49 lead.

Lindbergh took advantage of sloppy Sequim play (the Wolves had 14 turnovers to the Eagles’ seven) and were 11-of-14 from the free throw line. Sequim was just 7-of-17 from the line. Sequim shot just 19-of-54 (35 percent) from the field.

Willis led Sequim with 16 points, sinking a pair of 3-pointers out of three tries. Alex Barry added 14 points, 17 rebounds, five steals and two blocks.