HS Basketball: Puyallup Adds To Undefeated Season With Home Victory Over Curtis

12/18/24

Puyallup Vikings 19/20/18/16 – 73
Curtis Vikings 7/13/10/19 – 49

(Puyallup, WA)

Even though it’s still early in the year, the action continues to heat up, especially with another league game taking place. Curtis and Puyallup faced off three times last year, as Curtis won the two regular-season games. Still, Puyallup cemented their place in the State Tournament with a win in the District Tournament over Curtis last February. With Puyallup having a comfortable lead in the SPSL North and the next four teams all in a tight battle, this was important for Puyallup to provide more cushion to their division lead and an opportunity for Curtis to leap up into second place.

In the first quarter, Puyallup’s swarming defense was the overriding factor. They held Curtis to a game-low seven points in the quarter and never allowed the Curtis offense to get settled in. The Puyallup offense did, scoring 19 points, with Drew Jones leading the charge with six points. John Mburu canned a three for Puyallup, their lone three-ball of the quarter, to help them jump out to a 12-point lead at 19-7 after one.

In the second quarter, the Curtis offense was led by Kametrius Babbs, as he poured in six points to lead Curtis in first-half scoring. Drew Jones knocked down a three for Puyallup to lead all scorers at the half with nine points. Coming off the bench for Puyallup, Bennett Hedman was warming up, hitting a three and a two to give him five at the break. Puyallup’s depth helped them build a 19-point lead at the half, with eight different players scoring for them. Curtis had a highlight reel shot to close out the first half, with Skyler Clement hitting a deep three at the buzzer. Puyallup had as many second-quarter points as Curtis did in the whole first half with 20 points. Puyallup led 39-20 at the half.

In the third quarter, Puyallup’s scoring continued, with Will Nasinic, Drew Jones, and Bennett Hedman all getting themselves into double-figures. Hedman did more damage beyond the arc, hitting a pair of threes for Puyallup. Mason Sonntag had another good game for Puyallup, as he finished with 10 points, but he and Lawson Looker made their imprints on the defensive side of the ball for Puyallup with smothering defense all night. Will Torrone, for Curtis, was able to navigate the Puyallup defense, getting six points in the third to get him into double figures. Puyallup put up 18 points in the third quarter and extended their lead up to 57-30 going into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, Curtis would get good minutes from Mercer Estes, whose long reach altered Puyallup shots and brought in boards on the offensive and defensive glass. Estes also contributed on the offensive end with a pair of fourth-quarter buckets. Torrone continued his scoring tear for Curtis as he led them with 16 points, adding another five points in the final quarter. Kametrius Babbs had four in the quarter also for Curtis. Puyallup’s Bennett Hedman had another productive quarter, getting seven more points to get up to a game-high 18 points. Curtis did outscore Puyallup in the final stanza, 19-16, but Puyallup’s damage from the first three quarters allowed them to pick up the win and continue their undefeated start with a 73-49 win.

Puyallup improves to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the SPSL as they take on Yelm on Friday. Puyallup has scored 60 points or more in all six of their victories while holding teams to 55 points or less in every game.

Curtis drops to 2-5 overall and 2-4 in SPSL action and will host the Curtis Winter Classic this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with all games being streamed on the Eli Sports Network. Curtis will face West Valley (Yakima) on Thursday at 7:00 PM on ESN.

Our elisportsnetwork.com Game MVP went to Puyallup’s Bennett Hedman, as he had a game-high, and as he told us in the postgame show, he believes his career-high of 18 points. Hedman was precise from three-point range, knocking down four threes and helping Puyallup get themselves another SPSL victory.

Puyallup’s Porter Richardson and John Mburu had good nights coming off the bench with eight points each, Will Nasinec and Mason Sonntag both had 10 points, and Drew Jones finished with 11 points.

Curtis had an excellent night from Will Torrone with 16 points, Kametrius Babbs had 12 points, and Mercer Estes logged some nice minutes as he finished with six points coming off the bench.

Click here for the full game replay.

ESN Talks With Game MVP, Puyallup’s Bennett Hedman