Arlington wins nail biter, beat Mountlake Terrace boys 62-60

ARLINGTON — The Arlington boys basketball team has developed a habit of playing in close games this season.

Fortunately for the Eagles, they continue to win them.

Four of Arlington’s five victories this season have been by five points or less, with the Eagles’ latest a nail-biting 62-60 victory over Mountlake Terrace in a non-conference game at Arlington High School Tuesday night.

“We had 10 non-league games this year, so we’re just trying to fill our schedule. It just kind of worked out that every team that we’ve played so far has been tough,” said Arlington head coach Nick Brown. “We’ve had a pretty good run these last couple years and everyone brings their A-game against us. We feel that we’re going to get their best shot and we have so far.”

The Eagles led early in the contest but Mountlake Terrace continued to battle. The Hawks tied the score 34-34 before halftime and remained close to the Eagles throughout the second half.

After the two teams’ offenses performed well in the first three quarters, points were hard to come by in the fourth. Both teams scored just nine points in the final period, with Mountlake Terrace tying the score 60-60 after a Gabe Altenberger field goal and two free throws by Justin Hopkins with 1:14 to play.

A five-second call on the Hawks gave Arlington the ball back with 45 seconds and the Eagles capitalized with a running jump shot from Donavan Sellgren that proved to be the game-winner with 12 seconds remaining.

Sellgren, who normally wears jersey No. 4 for the Eagles, had to switch to No. 42 in the third quarter because of blood on his jersey. The change in jerseys didn’t affect Sellgren’s play; he led his team with a game-high 16 points.

“He just wants to play. For him, I’m really proud of Donavan and I really think he’s come a long way,” Brown said. “He’s a young guy — he’s only a junior. So we’re excited about the future for him.”

Drew Bryson scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds, Nathan Aune netted 12 points and five rebounds — including six straight points in a 23-second span to open the third quarter — and Brennon Wiersma added 10 points for Arlington (5-0).

“I think we have gamers,” Brown said. “We’re not very experienced yet but we have gamers. We have kids who want to play, who want to take the shot. … I can go all the way down the line. We got contributions from everyone.”

Altenberger led Mountlake Terrace (2-4) with 15 points. Derek Anyimah scored 11 points, Shimron Masih had 10 points and eight rebounds and Ryan LaCasse notched eight points and eight rebounds.

“We’ve never had a team this inexperienced, but I thought the kids showed a good fight against a really good basketball team — a really good program,” said Mountlake Terrace head coach Nalin Sood. “Coming up here and getting to play a game in that atmosphere — in that gym — there really is no other way to simulate it. … They’re a good basketball team and we’ve got to go compete against them, and I thought we did that for the most part.”

LaCasse was playing after popping his shoulder out of its socket in a game against Marysville Pilchuck on Dec. 5. LaCasse returned in the second half of that game and has continued to battle for the Hawks ever since.

“You want a picture in the dictionary next to ‘toughness’ it should be of Ryan. It’s just unbelievable how that guy competes,” Sood said. “I asked the guys the other day in practice, ‘If you had to bet $1,000 before a game that one thing would happen, what would it be?’ And the kids raised their hand (and said), ‘That Ryan will play tough.’”

Brown praised Sood and his Hawks, acknowledging that Mountlake Terrace is a tough team that Arlington couldn’t quite put away.

“They wouldn’t go away,” Brown said. “Those are the kind of teams you’ve got to be careful with. I always want to win but I want to make sure that we understand the value of the ball and the value of taking care of the ball. Nalin does an incredible job and those kids have improved, improved, improved, and they’re getting better and better. They exposed some of our weaknesses tonight.”

The Arlington coach said that although his team is undefeated this season, the Eagles’ fans still haven’t seen the best of the Arlington basketball team.

“We have so much room to grow,” Brown said. “I’m happy to be 5-0. Not to take anything away from anybody that we’ve played, but I feel like we have another gear in us. I really do.”

At Arlington H.S.

Mountlake Terrace 13 21 17 9 —60

Arlington 18 16 19 9 —62

Mountlake Terrace—Gabriel Powter 2, Daniel Johnson 0, Adam Lorraine 5, Ali Shah 0, Gabe Altenberger 15, Ryan LaCasse 8, Derek Anyimah 11, Shimron Masih 10, Justin Hopkins 9. Arlington—Tylor Morton 0, Donavan Sellgren 16, Nathan Aune 12, Cole Kingsberry 0, Connor Bovard 9, Drew Bryson 13, Brennon Wiersma 10, Jeremy Bishop 2. 3-point goals—Lorraine 1, Altenberger 2, Anyimah 2, Sellgren 3, Aune 1, Bovard 2, Bryson 2. Records—Mountlake Terrace 2-4 overall. Arlington 5-0.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.