South dispatches Curtis, wraps up WCD title, 79-64

Josh Monagle scored 10 of his team-high 14 points in the second half while South Kitsap's defense did its job Saturday night as third-ranked SK knocked off top-rated Curtis 79-64 in the title game of the West Central/Southwest District Tournament in Puyallup.

For the 24-1 Wolves, it was their first WCD title since 1945 and propels them into next week's Class 4A state tournament as the district's top seed. Curtis, 23-2, will enter as the district's second seed.

Monagle, who was named the tourney's Most Outstanding Player, overcame early foul trouble to lead three Wolves in double figures. His eight third-quarter points helped South maintain a 10-point lead throughout most of the second half.

Ryan Sweet added 10 points for South while Conner Gehring netted 13. But the Wolves got plenty of production from just about everyone Saturday night.

Tysaiah Curry and Joe Pisa came off the bench to score nine points each while L.P. Neloms kicked in eight and Tippy Burk had seven.

But it was the play of South's defensive that turned the tide. Neloms, along with Curry and Dan Nelson, held the Viking's Isaiah Thomas to 23 points, including just eight in the second half.

Thomas, regarded as the state's top prep player, entered the game averaging 32 points a game.

South will find out its first-round opponent for Wednesday's state tournament Sunday afternoon.

The tournament runs Wednesday through Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.

South Kitsap 79, Curtis 64

Score by quarters

Curtis 16 14 18 16 – 64

South Kitsap 19 22 17 21 – 79

Curtis – Tyree Williams 3, 0-0 – 3; Isaiah Thomas 21, 2-8 – 23; Zeke Hill 16, 0-0 – 16; Alex Seymour 4, 0-0 – 4; Chris Sprinker 4, 0-0 – 4; Gerald Hill 8, 2-4 – 10; Erik Evans 4, 0-0 – 4. Team totals: 60, 4-12 – 64.

South Kitsap – Conner Gehring 12, 1-2 – 13; Tippy Burk 6, 1-2 – 7; LP Neloms 2, 6-6 – 8; Ryan Sweet 8, 2-3 – 10; Josh Monagle 12, 2-2 – 14; Evan Atwater 5, 0-0 – 5; Joe Pisa 8, 1-2 – 9; Tysaiah Curry 6, 3-4 – 9; Dan Nelson 2, 2-2 – 4; Jared Privatt 0, 0-0 – 0. Team totals: 61, 18-23 – 79.

Three point field goals: Williams, Thomas 3, ZHill 4, Gehring 2, Atwater. Fouled Out: Sprinker.

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