EVERETT — The 4A District 1 tournament saved its best for last.
The Jackson boys basketball team advanced to the district championship game thanks to a buzzer-beater by junior Brian Brown that gave the Timberwolves a 71-69 overtime victory over Cascade Saturday night at Everett Community College.
“We were scrambling and did what we were trying to do and ‘Butter’ — Brian Brown — had the wherewithal to realize the clock was winding down and he stepped up and hit a huge shot,” said Jackson head coach Steve Johnson. “… A game like that anybody could have won. Each team played well enough to win. It’s whoever makes the last shot in a situation like that and it happened to be us.”
Jackson (16-5 overall) will face Monroe in the district title game at 8 p.m. Thursday at EvCC, while Cascade (12-10) faces Mariner on Tuesday in a loser-out contest.
The game was a battle the whole way, with the Bruins closing the gap in the third quarter. The lead went back and forth in the fourth quarter and overtime, with Cascade answering every Jackson basket.
After Cascade’s Cameron McGrath made a 3-pointer to tie the score at 69 with 17.6 seconds to go, Jackson came back down the court and ran its offense, with Dolan Tierney ultimately finding Brown for the game-winner as the buzzer sounded.
“I just saw Dolan give me the ball and I saw there was two seconds left,” Brown said. “(I thought) I’m going to shoot it and see what happens and it went in.”
Sam Saufferer led the way for Jackson with 19 points and Tierney, Brown and Colton Faddis all added 13 points apiece. Tierney added seven assists, including one on Brown’s buzzer beater.
“It was just a scramble. He was the open guy and he had the presence of mind to realize he had to shoot the ball,” Johnson said. “It was an intense game. We’re kind of neighbors, we’re rivals — these kids all know each other. We’re very fortunate to end up on top.”
Cascade was led by junior Isaiah Gotell who scored a game-high 28 — including five in the overtime period.
“I told him after the game I might have to consider how I voted in the all-league voting,” Johnson said. “He is a man.”
Trevon Blackmon (11 points), Brevin Brown (10), McGrath (10) and Brennen Hancock (10) all scored in double-digits for the Bruins.
“My teammates played great and Cascade came back — they played a (heck) of a game,” Brian Brown said. “I’m just glad we got the win tonight.”
Jackson is looking for its third win of the season against Monroe, which is coached by Jackson alum Tyson Horner, in the championship game. Johnson said Saturday night’s game proved nothing will come easy in the district tournament.
“I think the league is very even,” Johnson said. “Tonight, here’s a four (seed) and a one (seed) and it’s pretty much dead even.”
Jackson 71, Cascade 69
At Everett Community College
Cascade913211610–69
Jackson1711161512–71
Cascade–Trevon Blackmon 11, Brevin Brown 10, Cameron McGrath 10, Isaiah Gotell 28, Brennen Hancock 10, Justin Gordon 0, Tre Poole 0. Jackson–Frank Rossi 6, Dolan Tierney 13, Brian Brown 13, Yegor Gorbenko 6, Ethan Hammond 1, Parker Manalo 0, Sam Saufferer 19, Colton Faddis 13. 3-point goals–Blackmon 1, Brown 2, McGrath 2, Saufferer 5. Records–Cascade 12-10 overall. Jackson 16-5.
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