HS Boys Basketball: Curtis Holds Off Late Sumner Push In SPSL Battle

12/13/24

Curtis Vikings 57, Sumner Spartans 50

Sumner 10 15 10 15 – 50
Curtis 15 15 16 11 – 57

(University Place, WA) With only a handful of games being played this season, this early test between two SPSL North squads could be pivotal come playoff time. The Sumner Spartans went into the game after an 18-point win on Tuesday over South Kitsap. The Curtis Vikings were coming into the game after a tough 68-65 loss to Rogers (Puyallup). With both teams looking to return to the State Tournament, a win tonight could help propel them into the next calendar year.

In the first quarter, the teams tested each other as the defenses shone. Still, the offenses woke up, with Sumner’s Jalen Hyppa and Colton Kelley each connecting with a three, but Curtis would hold the first-quarter lead with excellent play from Xavier Ahrens, who was efficient at the free throw line and also in the post for the Vikings. Ahrens had seven first-quarter points to give Curtis a 15-10 lead after the first period.

In the second quarter, Sumner’s Austin Collins had an excellent quarter, getting seven points for the Spartans to lead them in scoring in the first half. However, Curtis ran stride for stride with Sumner, equalling the Spartans 15 second-quarter points with 15 of their own. Ahrens continued to have a great night from the free throw line, and Kametrius Babbs also earned some foul shots to contribute to another successful offensive quarter for the Vikings. Curtis held a 30-25 going into the halftime break.

In the third quarter, Curtis had their best scoring output of the night, putting up 16 points. The Vikings did that without Xavier Ahrens, who was hurt taking a charge and didn’t return to the ballgame, and Kametrius Babbs, who got hurt and eventually returned in the fourth quarter. Robby Lavata’i stepped up for the injured Ahrens and dominated the lane in the quarter, getting six of his eight points in the third, when the game was within reach of Sumner potentially taking the lead. Lavata’i got to the free-throw line and hit a pair of free throws as well in the third. The Curtis defense shined in the quarter, making things very tough for the Sumner offense, and seemingly every shot Sumner had was contested with a Viking right in the face of the Spartans.

In the fourth quarter, Curtis held a double-digit lead for most of the quarter, but Sumner came roaring back in the final few minutes. Goose Fredrick, Colton Kelley, and Jalen Hyppa led the charge for Sumner as they brought the Curtis lead down to three with a couple of minutes left. Noah Kaylor had a big fourth quarter for Curtis, scoring eight points, and Will Torrone added a clutch basket late for Curtis to hang on to the home win, 57-50. Curtis didn’t make a three-point shot all game long and held Sumner to only outscore them in one quarter.

Curtis improves to 2-3 on the season and 2-2 in SPSL play. Curtis, in their next two games, takes on undefeated Olympia on Saturday and undefeated Puyallup next Tuesday before hosting the Curtis Winter Classic starting next Thursday. ESN will have coverage of every game from the Curtis Winter Classic.

Sumner drops to 2-2 on the year and 2-2 in SPSL play. Sumner will face Emerald Ridge next Wednesday. Sumner, Emerald Ridge, Curtis, and Rogers are all 2-2 in SPSL action and are in a four-way tie for second in the SPSL North.

Our elisportsnetwork.com Game MVP went to Curtis forward, Robby Lavata’i. Lavata’i came off the bench and, when Ahrens was injured, stepped in and helped Curtis build an 11-point lead in the third quarter. Lavata’i had a couple of big baskets for the Vikings and made a couple of free throws while playing good defense in the post.

Xavier Ahrens and Kametrius Babbs each led Curtis with 11 points, Noah Kaylor finished with 10, and Will Torrone and Lavata’i finished with eight points. Sumner’s Colton Kelley led all scorers with 19 points, freshman Austin Collins had 11 points, and Goose Fredrick and Jalen Hyppa each finished with eight points.

For the full game replay, click here.

ESN Talks With Game MVP Robby Lavata’i