Late rally lifts Trojans past last year's runner-up, 41-36

TOURNEYTOWN.COM

Josiah Sebens sank a 3-pointer with 1:43 to play that pushed Meridian ahead to stay, as the Trojans turned back King's 41-36 on Friday in the Class 1A boys state semifinals.

The win sends Meridian (19-7) into Saturday's 7 p.m. championship game against Cascade Christian, which beat defending champion Vashon in Friday's late semifinal.

Zach Slesk, who scored a game-high 16 points, closed the scoring with three free throws in the final 32 seconds.

It was the second time this season Meridian has beaten last year's state runner-up. The Trojans beat King's 65-62 on Feb. 20 to earn a state berth.

Sebens finished with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Ryan Hoff scored a team-high 10 points for King's (21-7), and Karl Clocksin added nine.

Clocksin grabbed 11 rebounds.

Game Stats: King's -- Brugger 2-3 1-2 5, Sawtell 0-4 0-0 0, Hoff 4-14 0-0 10, Coshow 0-0 0-0 0, Berendsen 3-4 1-3 7, McCutchen 0-2 0-0 0, Cheledinas 2-11 0-0 5, Clocksin 3-8 3-4 9, Doldier 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 14-46 5-9 36.
Meridian -- T. Slesk 2-5 0-0 5, Madeira 0-0 0-0 0, Wasilewski 1-3 0-0 2, Z. Slesk 5-13 6-7 16, Sebens 4-16 1-5 12, Tripp 2-3 0-0 4, Hayes 0-5 2-8 2. Totals 14-45 9-20 41.
King's 11 7 10 8 -- 36
Meridian 8 10 11 12 -- 41
3-point goals--K 3-16 (Hoff 2-7, Cheledinas 1-6, Sawtell 0-1, McCutchen 0-2), M 4-12 (Sebens 3-8, T. Slesk 1-2, Z. Slesk 0-2). Rebounds--K 37 (Clocksin 11), M 36 (Sebens 12, Hayes 10). Assists--K 5 (Clocksin 4), M 6 (Z. Slesk 3). Steals--K 3, M 3. Blocked shots--None. Fouled out--Brugger. Total fouls--K 21, M 9. Technical fouls--None. Turnovers--K 12, M 10.