Fresh off its new No. 1 state ranking in Class 2A play, the Squalicum boys' basketball team added another solid win Wednesday Feb. 1, topping Meridian 61-40 in a Northwest Conference matchup at Meridian High School.
Joseph Chunphakvenn scored a game-high 17 points for the Storm, and both Neilan Pierce and Zerek Csolti added 11 points in the winning effort.
Squalicum (16-2, 9-2 NWC) worked its way to a 34-23 halftime advantage and outscored the Trojans (6-12, 3-6 NWC) in the second half to sew up the win.
"They're a good team, they're quick, they shoot the ball well and they're well coached," said Meridian coach Shane Stacy in a phone interview, referring to the difference in the game.
Meridian's Denver Vander Yacht was the lone Trojan to reach double digit scoring, as he tallied a team-high 12 points. Edward Garcia added nine points, Alijah Garcia chipped in eight and the Trojans' scoring leader, Chase Heslep, was limited to four points.
Squalicum's next game is against Anacortes at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Squalicum High School. Meridian's next game is a home matchup against Mount Vernon at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3
SQUALICUM 61, MERIDIAN 40
Squalicum 18 16 18 9 - 61
Meridian 11 12 7 10 - 40
Squalicum: Shane Jansen 0, Blake Harmon 0, Zerek Csolti 11, Joseph Chunphakvenn 17, Chris Qualls 9, Blake Youtsey 7, Neilan Pierce 11, Alex Yuska 2, Bryce Dickerson 0, Nathan Mattix 4. Team totals: 26-49 3-5 61.
Meridian: Spencer Blackburn 0, Blake Briones 5, Logan Carlson 0, Patrick Carlson 2, Sam Chambers 0, Alijah Garcia 8, Edward Garcia 9, Chase Heslep 4, Kelby Todd 0, Denver Vander Yacht 12. Team totals: 15-50 5-8 40.
3-ptg: Squalicum 6 (Chunphakvenn 3), Meridian 5 (Alijah Garcia/Edward Garcia 2). Rebounds: Squalicum 27 (Pierce 5), Meridian 28 (Heslep 7). Assists: Squalicum 9 ( two players with two), Meridian 5 (two players with two). Fouls: Squalicum 6, Meridian 3. Turnovers: Squalicum 10, Meridian 16.
