Meadowdale coach Andy Streit looks to Collin Costello to provide a lift off the bench every night.
The senior forward did just that, scoring all 10 of his points in the second half, as the Mavericks rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to beat Shorecrest 55-52 in a Wesco 3A boys basketball game Tuesday night at Meadowdale High School.
The victory was the first in league for the Mavericks (1-3 in league, 7-4 overall).
“It’s a huge win just because we’re kind of in a slump with our league play,” Costello said. “It’s great to come back on our home court and bounce back with a league win.”
With his team trailing 35-27, Costello hit back-to-back shots (a 3-pointer and 2-pointer) to cut the deficit to 35-32 with 2:02 left in the third quarter. Shorecrest, however, didn’t panic and after a basket by Meadowdale’s Jacob Perkins tied the score at 37, Drew Magaoay hit two 3-pointers to send the Scots into the fourth quarter with a 43-37 advantage.
The momentum shifted decisively to Meadowdale, as the Mavericks opened the fourth quarter with a 14-0 run. Perkins scored and then Malik Braxton hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 43-42. Costello then connected on his second 3-pointer of the game and followed up with another basket to give Meadowdale a 47-43 lead at the 4:15 mark.
The Mavericks extended their advantage to 51-43 on a shot by Aidan O’Neill before Shorecrest’s Conin Oishi made one of two free throws with 2:05 left in the game. The Scots eventually cut the lead to 52-50 on a basket by Daniel Ghebremichael with 20.5 seconds left.
Meadowdale’s Aidan O’Neill was fouled and made both free throws. Shorecrest’s Ghebremichael then connected on two free throws as Shorecrest again drew to within two points, 54-52, with seven seconds to go.
Shorecrest fouled Griffin Over and the Meadowdale junior made the first of two free throws. Costello, however, grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled. He missed both free throws but Over rebounded the ball to close out the game.
“Collin brought great energy tonight and that’s what we ask of him every night: to come off the bench and use his energy and athleticism,” Meadowdale coach Andy Streit said. “Clearly he was a huge boost for us in the second half.”
As for the Mavericks’ first half struggles, Streit said Shorecrest (0-4, 5-5) had a lot to do with it.
“They’re a talented, active ball club,” he said. “But at the same time, I just thought we were a little bit rushed and some shots weren’t falling in. I’m just glad that our guys stuck with the game plan because clearly oftentimes things like that turn around and they did. We kept the faith.”
Meadowdale also made it a point to crash the boards harder, Costello said.
“We just got outrebounded (in the first half),” he said. “It was some crazy stat like 10 to 1 on our offensive boards or something.”
The talk in the locker room at halftime was upbeat despite the 12-point deficit.
“Our team mentally prepared ourselves to come out and have a winning mentality,” Costello said. “I think halftime was the turning point.”
Senior guard Barrett Carlow and Perkins each scored 12 points. Shorecrest’s Oishi scored 12 points and Magaoay had 11 points.
How the Mavericks handle adversity has been a theme of Streit’s all season long and he was proud of how his players responded Tuesday night.
“We knew it was going to be a battle and it’s going to be a battle from here on out with all the teams in the league,” Streit said. “That’s a really big win for us. … I think that bodes well for us.
“When you can win when you don’t shoot the ball well, I’m most proud of that.”
Story and photos by David Pan/Lynnwood Today editor
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