The Bellevue Wolverines continued their late-season push toward a Class 3A state boys basketball championship by destroying the Decatur Gators Friday night at Bellevue College.
The 80-45 win in the opening round of the Class 3A State Tournament earned the Wolverines (22-5) a trip to the state quarterfinals inside the Tacoma Dome, where they will take on the Chief Sealth Seahawks at 7:15 p.m. Thursday.
Bellevue came into the game hotter than any team in the state. The Wolverines won the Sea-King District title by knocking off top-ranked O’Dea, second-ranked Rainier Beach and sixth-ranked Seattle Prep in consecutive games.
Bellevue didn’t waste any time against the Gators on Friday. From the opening tip, the Wolverines dominated, rolling to a quick 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Bellevue continued to pour it on during the first half, leading 44-26 after the second quarter.
The Wolverines had 11 players score during the game and were led by the 22 points of senior Will Locke. Evian Richard finished with 17 and Nate Sikma chipped in 14.
The Gators were led by the 16 points of Jerron Smith, who came into the game averaging more than 28 points a game. Smith was the only Decatur player in double figures against Bellevue. Junior Dom Hunter finished with nine.
Casey Olson is a sports writer for the Federal Way Mirror. He can be contacted at 253-925-5565, ext. 5056.