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Saxons remain perfect

Mike Vlahovich  •  Staff Writer
Published March 1, 2008

Ferris' Jeff Minnerly knocks a rebound away from Bellarmine Prep's Dan Durkin in the first half of their State 4A semifinal game. The Spokesman Review (RAJAH BOSE The Spokesman Review) FERRIS 75 BELL. PREP 60

TACOMA – Bellarmine Prep was buried under the weight of Ferris' date with destiny Friday night in the Tacoma Dome.

The defending State 4A champion Saxons (28-0) stand one win away from an unprecedented second straight perfect season following their 75-60 boys basketball victory over the Lions.

It was an overwhelming third quarter following a wide-open first half that stretched their two-year win streak to 57 straight games.

Ferris outscored Bellarmine 22-9 in the third quarter. DeAngelo Casto scored 10 points for a 56-38 lead too substantial for a comeback.

Ferris coach Don Van Lierop said the team did nothing different than in the first half when both Ferris and Bellarmine raced back and forth raining points at full pace.

"These guys are good, these guys are really good," said Van Lierop of his team. "It's probably fair to say it was our best game of the tournament."

But one more team stands in the way of the Saxons' bid for history. Federal Way defeated Decatur 69-60 in overtime and poses the final challenge to Ferris becoming the first 4A team to win unbeaten back-to-back titles. Game is at 7 p.m.

"We avoid the subject as much as possible," said Jared Karstetter, who scored 13 first-half points, joining Jeff Minnerly as catalysts for a 34-29 lead at intermission.

Ferris jumped to a 19-12 lead after trailing 9-8, Karstetter scoring six of the 11 points.

But the Lions rallied to within a basket behind Avery Bradley and Abdul Gaddy. The junior duo finished with 46 of Bellarmine's 60 points, Gaddy breaking out in the tournament with 29.

The third quarter was a different story.

"They put a good press on us, and were doubling Dee (DeAngelo Casto), but their guards were in foul trouble, so we tried spreading it out and cutting to the basket," said Karstetter. "It's hard to shoot here and better to get to the rim."

That opened things up for Casto to score five baskets and Karstetter to add 10 more second-half points for a team-high 23.

But this wasn't just a two- or three-man show. Ferris' victory displayed the full arsenal that has produced the longest winning streak among 4A schools.

Minnerly wound up with 18 points and had seven big rebounds. Shawn Stockton ran the show, hit two 3-pointers and scored 15 points.

Casto finished with 16, had 11 rebounds and four blocked shots, two on the same play that ultimately led to his final basket.

Ferris rattled off the first nine points of the third quarter to lead by 14 points.

Bellarmine had one more rally, cutting a 20-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter to 11 with 3:27 to play. But Ferris regained the hammer.

"It's been our goal all year to get back (to the championship)," said Stockton. "We have one more tough one to go."