HS Boys Basketball: Puyallup Dominates Emerald Ridge From the Start

12/10/2024

Puyallup 70, Emerald Ridge 44

Emerald Ridge 9 11 7 17 44

Puyallup 20 17 13 20 70

Early and often, the Puyallup Vikings put on a clinic of offense and defense jumping out to an early lead before cruising to a 70-44 win over Emerald Ridge. The win extends Puyallup’s lead on the SPSL North to 3-0 on the young season.

Emerald Ridge was coming off a last second defeat to Rogers last Friday 61-60, while Puyallup defeated Sumner 61-51 thanks to 27 points from Drew Jones. It was important to see how both teams would respond in the opening minutes.

It was all Puyallup from the outset, jumping out to an early 7-0 lead that set the tone for the rest of game. Drew Jones scored 9 points in the opening frame but his finest work may have come on an assist to Mason Sonntag. Puyallup took a commanding 20-9 lead into the 2nd quarter. To make matters worse for Emerald Ridge, their all around guard Jamaize McGriff quickly picked up 3 first half fouls forcing him to sit out the majority of the first half due to foul trouble.

The second quarter saw Puyallup continue to pull away. Jones scored 7 in the period, while Will Nasinec chipped in with 6 points of his own. Lawson Looker shined in the 2nd quarter with incredible defense on Emerald Ridge guards, limiting the Jaguars to very little offense.

Puyallup led Emerald Ridge 37-20 at the half.

The second half saw Puyallup outscore Emerald Ridge in third quarter to hold a 50-27 before the starters rested in the fourth quarter. The Vikings’ Bennett Hedman scored on 3 three pointers in the final quarter, while Blake Muehlenbruch scored five points in the final quarter.

In the end, the home town Vikings capped off a 70-44 victory in a dominating performance. For Emerald Ridge in the loss, Isaac Norris finished with a team high 11 points. Blake Muehlenbruch finished second in scoring for the Jags with 8, and Jamaize McGriff and Jordan Bennett each finished with 5 points. Puyallup was led by Drew Jones with a game high 22 points. Will Nasinec finished with 14 points with several momentum turning blocks defensively. Bennett Hedman finished with 9 points off his fourth quarter 3’s. Mason Sonntag scored 7 points catering the important Vikings win.

Puyallup with the victory jumps their record in the SPSL North to 3-0 all alone in first place. Emerald Ridge drops to 1-2. Both teams will be traveling on the road Thursday. Emerald Ridge will take on Bethel with both teams hoping to get on the right track. Puyallup visits Rogers in a battle for first place in the SPSL North.

Our Eli Sports Network Co-MVPs were Drew Jones and Lawson Looker. Jones finished the game with scoring 22 points, while Lawson Looker covered the floor with stifling defense against Emerald Ridge’s talented guards.

Here is our postgame show with our Co-MVP Drew Jones and Coach Kevin Olson with highlights of the game. To catch the full replay Click Here (Subscription Required)

ESN Talks with Coach Kevin Olson and MVP Drew Jones