Boys basketball: Seniors Bakken, Smarr lead Warriors to 68-52 win over Cascade

Jason Smarr led the Warriors with 19 points. (Photos by Karl Swenson)
Jason Smarr led the Warriors with 19 points and eight rebounds. (Photos by Karl Swenson)

It was Senior Night for the Edmonds-Woodway High School boys basketball team and as they have done often this year, seniors Travis Bakken and Jason Smarr led the Warriors to victory over the visiting Cascade Bruins. Bakken controlled the first half of the game giving way to Smarr to finish the job in the second half as the Warriors completed their regular season with a 68-52 win.

Theo Lebesis takes a shot.
Theo Lebesis takes a shot while Travis Bakken, right, looks on.

E-W started all five of its seniors: Antonio Sherrill, Tate Budnick, Theo Lebesis, Bakken and Smarr. Prior to the game the players were honored along with their families.

The first quarter saw Cascade take advantage of the Warriors, still seemingly in a celebratory mood. Michael Ghahgonah took control down low for the Bruins, scoring eight points in the first quarter, aided by Warrior nemesis Cameron McGrath, who chipped in five. Bakken kept E-W in the game with eight points, but Cascade ended the quarter up 21-17.

The second quarter was much more favorable for the Warriors as they outscored Cascade 21-14. The scoring was evenly spread, with Trey Holland making a pair of threes, Smarr scoring five, Bakken adding four and Lebesis and Budnick adding three each. Defensively, the home team also slowed down McGrath and Ghahgonah, limiting them to a basket each. At the half, the Warriors were ahead by three, 38-35.

At halftime, the senior cheerleaders were honored, leading to a delay to the start of the third quarter. Both the Warriors and Bruins were also seemingly delayed as neither team scored for the first three minutes. Once the shots started falling, they were fast and furious with the Warriors eventually outscoring Cascade 15-12. Smarr scored seven in the quarter, including a steal that led to a crowd-pleasing dunk. Brady Edwards contributed the first four of his 12 points on the night to add to the attack.

In the fourth quarter, a relaxed Warrior team took control of the game. First Budnick hit a three on a fast break feed from Smarr. After a pair of baskets from Cascade, Smarr hit a jumper and a pair of free throws followed by a bucket from Holland. Edwards scored the last six points of the game as E-W would end up outscoring the Bruins 15-7 in the fourth, leading to the final 15-point margin of victory.

Smarr would end up leading the Warriors in scoring with 19, along with eight rebounds and two assists. Bakken was next with 14 points and five boards. Edwards had 12 points, five rebounds and three assists. Budnick had six points and led the team with seven assists. The Warriors have now won seven of their last eight as they prepare for next week’s District playoffs. Number-two seed E-W hosts a first-round playoff game against Mount Vernon on Wednesday, Feb 12. Tip-off is 7 p.m.

Warrior scoring: Holland 8, Rice, Edwards 12, Budnick 6, Sherrill, Lebesis 7, Smarr 19, Bakken 14, Okereke

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Senior Antonio Sherrill and family.

–By Jeff Smarr

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Tate Budnick

 

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Theo Lebesis

 

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Jason Smarr

 

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Travis Bakken

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