Cascade boys build big lead, hang on to beat Monroe 74-60

EVERETT — In a tale of two halves, the Cascade boys basketball team was very good in the first two quarters against visiting Monroe.

The third and fourth quarters were not nearly as good, but the Bruins were still good enough to hold on for a 74-60 Western Conference 4A victory on Monday night.

“In the first half I felt like we played really well,” said Cascade coach Darrell McNeal. “We were moving the ball, sharing the ball, playing team basketball, and we had a lot of success just shooting well.

“But I was concerned about the way we played in the second half,” he said. “I don’t think we played very well. We didn’t move the ball, we didn’t take care of the ball and we definitely didn’t do a good job of rebounding in the second half. So there are some things we need to fix, but we were still able to escape with a win.”

Cascade got its first two points on a layin by forward Isaiah Gotell, but from there the Bruins went on a 3-point binge, getting their next eight field goals from beyond the arc. Guard Brevin Brown hit three in a row to give Cascade a lead it never lost, teammates Cameron McGrath and Justin Gordon followed with 3-pointers, then McGrath hit two more and Gordon added another.

Gordon’s final 3-pointer of that string came early in the second period, giving the Bruins a 26-8 lead. The margin reached 22 points three times later in the quarter and was 20 points, 44-24, at halftime.

“We have a couple of kids that can shoot the ball, and we’re fortunate this year to have that,” McNeal said. “The shots were there and it’s part of the offense. … It was a night where our shooting was on and I’m happy about that.”

Still, despite his team’s first-half success, “I knew Monroe wasn’t just going to lay down,” he said. “I knew from playing them last year that they were going to come back and give us a good fight.”

Indeed, Monroe did battle back, though the big surge came in the fourth quarter. Trailing 59-40 after three quarters, the Bearcats ran off eight straight points to open the period, and later they twice closed within seven points.

But Cascade sank enough free throws in the remaining minutes to finish with a final 14-point margin.

“The recipe for success was there for us in the first half, but it was disaster in the second,” McNeal said. “We just didn’t play well (after halftime).”

As disappointed as McNeal was with the second half, Monroe assistant coach Todd Newhouse (filling in for head coach Tyson Horner, who was ill) was similarly unhappy with the first half.

“We came out a little sluggish,” Newhouse said. “We missed a few layins early, we missed a few free throws, and they took advantage and hit some 3s and away they went.

“But we battled back,” he added. “We’ve been a second half team all year, but now we have to get them going in the first half.”

Though the Bearcats could easily pin the blame for the loss on a sluggish start, they were also undone by poor free throw shooting, going just 14-for-30 at the line.

“We struggled at the free throw line, and we struggled with little 4- and 5-footers around the hoop,” Newhouse said. “We have to finish.”

McGrath led all scorers with 22 points, while Brown added 19 and Gordon chipped in 15. Rhen Shore was high for Monroe with 16 points, with freshman teammate Colby Kyle chipping in 15.

At Cascade H.S.

Monroe 8 16 16 20 — 60

Cascade 23 21 15 15 — 74

Monroe_Andrew Chartrand 8, Tyler Koontz 0, Alex Johnson 0, Devin Sepich 2, Rhen Shore 16, Alex Spahman 9, Tristan Witham 3, Colby Kyle 15, Trenton Newhouse 0, John Montero 2, Isaiah Cole 5.

Cascade_Trevon Blackmon 2, Brevin Brown 19, Edis Hrustic 2, Cameron McGrath 22, Muhammed Kolly 0, Isaiah Gotell 10, Brennen Hancock 4, Justin Gordon 15, Tre Poole 0.

3-point goals_Andrew Chartrand 1, Rhen Shore 3, Brevin Brown 4, Cameron McGrath 5, Justin Gordon 3.

Records_Monroe is 2-1 in league, 2-4 overall. Cascade is 5-4, 2-1.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (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.