After ACS gave them a bloody nose in the first half, the East T-birds responded with a haymaker.
East rallied from a shaky start to look sensational in the later stages en route to posting a 54-30 win Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the ASAA Class 4A boys state tournament at the Alaska Airlines Center.
The T-birds used a 30-5 run in the second half to the win going away and wipe away any lasting memories from a lackluster start in which ACS outhustled and outplayed the perennial power out of the Cook Inlet Conference.
“It was a very bumpy start. Our defense was kind of lacking, especially on help side,” said East senior Deshawn Rushmeyer.
Rushmeyer led the comeback charge, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the second half, including 10 of his team’s 12 during a stretch when East turned the game from a nail biter to a blowout.
East’s Deshawn Rushmeyer. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report
The T-birds (22-5) looked like a different team, one that was ready to wake up from their sleepwalking effort in the first half.
“Credit ACS. Amazing players. Their start was unexpected,” Rushmeyer said.
ACS forward Jephter English scored all 11 of his points in the first half, including a layup that gave the Lions a commanding 25-17 lead.
East looked shook.
“It was the big lights,” Rushmeyer said. “Everybody’s eyes were bigger than their heads. It was a good experience to push through.”
East closed out the first half on a 7-0 run to cut into the deficit, trimming ACS’ lead to 25-14 at the break.
ASAA/First National Bank Alaska
Class 4A Boys State Championships
At Alaska Airlines Center
Wednesday
Quarterfinals
West Valley 60, Juneau 37
East 54, ACS 30
Monroe 54, Colony 30
West 69, Dimond 63 OT
Friday
Semifinals
6:15pm (1) West Valley vs. (4) Monroe Catholic
7:45pm (3) East vs. (7) West
Consolation
9:30am (8) Juneau-Douglas vs. (5) Colony
11:00am (2) Dimond vs. (6) ACS
Saturday
7:30pm Title Game
It was a symbol of things to come in the second half. Not only did Rushmeyer do most of the scoring down the stretch, he also took a charge to inspire the defense.
A 15-3 run grew to 25-3 as East’s lead swelled to 49-28.
Akeem Sulaiman added a double-double for the winners with 10 points and 11 rebounds. For the second game in a row, LaRon Roberts came off the bench to be productive. He scored nine points Wednesday on 4-of-4 shooting.
“That’s my boy, so I’m glad he was able to initiate what he does,” Rushmeyer said. “To come off the bench like that was huge.”
John McGee provided all the scoring for ACS (15-11) in the second half and finished with 11. The Lions also went 0-for-4 from the free throw line in the second half and missed six of their last seven for the game.
East held a 16-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
“We’re a defensive team,” Rushmeyer said. “And then to show that we can do something on offense as well, it was a good feeling overall.”
ACS’ Jephter English has his shot challenged by Akeem Sulaiman. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report