Jonah Brillowsky dropped in a tie-breaking layup with 25 seconds to play and Ferndale boys basketball survived Blaine’s upset bid in a 58-55 victory in Northwest Conference play Thursday, Jan. 30 at Blaine High.
Ferndale, which led the entire first three quarters, including by as many as nine at one point, held a 41-38 lead entering the fourth quarter. Yet, the Borderites tied the game at 43-43 with seven minutes remaining when Jacob Dolmer drove down the baseline and passed behind the arc to Josiah Weeda, who made a 3-point shot.
Weeda finished with 13 points while Dulio Kanagie led the Borderites with a team-high 14 points. On the following two possessions, Ferndale’s Mantaj Singh and Blaine’s Landon Brown traded 3-pointers to keep the game tied at 46-46. Singh finished with a game-high 20 points.
Gallery: Ferndale holds off Blaine’s comeback bid
Both teams continued to trade baskets until Brillowsky made a layup to give the Golden Eagles a 57-55 lead with 25 seconds left.
Blaine had two timeouts and two attempts to inbound the ball at halfcourt. However, Blaine turned the ball over and was forced to foul Ferndale’s players. After a few fouls, Brillowsky went to the free-throw line and sank the first one.
He missed the second free throw, Kanagie rebounded it and hit Landon Melton on the outlet, who could not find an open look and passed to Kai Kerwin with 3 seconds remaining. Kerwin hauled the ball up and fired it off the backboard, sealing the win for Ferndale. Melton finished with 13 points and two 3-pointers.
Ferndale (9-9) will travel to Mount Baker at 7:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3. Blaine (3-15) is still searching for its first conference win of the season and will host Mount Vernon at 7:15 p.m. on Feb. 3.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
