Good energy and a big first half from Blake Youtsey helped the Squalicum boys' basketball team grab an early lead in a 74-56 Northwest Conference victory over Mount Baker on Friday, Jan. 25.

Youtsey scored 18 of his game-high 25 points in the first half and also logged a game-high seven rebounds. It marked the second straight game he had scored more than 20 points.

Squalicum (12-7, 7-3 NWC), which is in a battle to make the Class 2A Northwest District Tournament, stretched an 18-10 first-quarter lead to a 38-14 advantage by halftime thanks to some good hustle from Luke and Danny Weber, Squalicum coach Dave Dickson said.

"Defensively, we played very well in the second quarter," Dickson said in a phone interview. "We had quite a few steals and some real good energy in the second. We sustained our energy really well. Baker played hard and more than matched us in the second half. There was no quit in those guys."

Tre Clark scored 11 points for Squalicum, while Alex Yuska and Danny Weber each had eight.

Mount Baker (5-12, 2-7) was led by Reuben Murashov's 18 points, while Zan Roman and Ty Munsell each recorded eight.

The Mountaineers next host Meridian on Saturday, Jan. 26, while Squalicum travels to Lynden Christian on Monday, Jan. 28.

SQUALICUM 74, MOUNT BAKER 56

MB 10 4 21 21 - 56

Squalicum 18 20 19 17 - 74

Mount Baker: Isaac Gilmore 6, John Douglas 0, Reuben Murashov 18, Zan Roman 8, Ty Munsell 8, Seth Bass 3, Harrison Whitmyre 2, Conner Brandland 0, Jacob Oiness 2, Dalton Munsell 2, Andrew Zender 7, Josh Barbo 0. Team totals: 21-51 10-17 56.

Squalicum: Jonathan Whetnall 2, Tre Clark 11, Luke Weber 5, Blake Harmon 2, Clark Hazlett 5, John Zender 0, Ben Garcia 8, Blake Youtsey 25, Harper Moore 0, Alex Yuska 8, Chad Dickerson 0, Danny Weber 8. Team totals: 24-42 19-30 74.

3-ptg: Mount Baker 4 (Murashov 3), Squalicum 7 (Youtsey 3). Rebounds: Mount Baker 15 (T. Munsell 3, A. Zender 3, D. Munsell 3), Squalicum 21 (Youtsey 7). Assists: Mount Baker 5, Squalicum 10 (Clark 4). Fouls: Mount Baker 22, Squalicum 14. Turnovers: Mount Baker 15, Squalicum 15.