For the record, NC’s doesn’t matter

SEATTLE – They saw the newspaper clippings.

And on Wednesday in the opening round of the State 3A boys basketball tournament at Hec Edmondson Pavilion, unheralded North Central showed it belonged. Led by 6-foot-7 senior center Justin Anderson, the Indians staged one of the day’s biggest upsets, stopping Hudson’s Bay 42-39.

Anderson poured in a game-high 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked four shots – and altered several others – as the Indians overcame a 10-point third-quarter deficit to pull off the unlikely victory over the Eagles (21-6).

“We’re definitely a Cinderella story for sure,” said Anderson, who couldn’t stop smiling after the win. “It’s really nice to come in here, be unexpected, ranked 16th in the paper and show ‘em.”

With the win, the Indians (9-17) advance to play Mount Vernon (18-6) today at 7:30 p.m. in a quarterfinal.

NC entered the state tournament with the worst record in the 16-team field. Then again, Anderson stressed, that record can be misleading from a team that plays against several 4A opponents in the Greater Spokane League.

Even North Central’s faithful had to be surprised with the comeback, especially considering the Indians trailed 33-23 with 2 minutes remaining in the third quarter and failed to score for the first 4:20 of the fourth.

“We’re not the most potent offense in the world,” NC coach Jay Webber said. “Our defense has been what carried us through the last six to eight games.”

It’s what carried them past Hudson’s Bay as the Indians forced six fourth-quarter turnovers. NC also outrebounded Hudson’s Bay 45-23.

Anderson and Cody Hauenstein combined for 22 rebounds.

“You just can’t say enough about those two,” Webber said. “To get 22 rebounds combined … I’ll take that any day.”

Trailing 37-30 with 3:20 remaining in the game, Anderson connected on 1 of 2 at the line to end North Central’s 4:40 fourth-quarter scoreless spell.

One play later, Nick Rijon, who struggled with his shot all afternoon, drilled a wide-open 3-pointer, cutting the Indians’ deficit to 37-34. Rijon, who had eclipsed 20 points in four of his last five games, finished with five points on 1-of-10 shooting.

After Rijon’s big shot, Hauenstein delivered a free-throw shooting clinic, scoring four straight pressure-packed points at the line and trimming the deficit to 39-38.

“It was good to knock those down,” said Hauenstein, who didn’t score in the first three quarters, but hit 6 of 6 at the line in the final 2 minutes. “I’ve always had pretty good touch from the line.”

NC finally took the lead with 21.5 seconds left. Rijon drove the lane and, at the last moment, dished off to Anderson down low for an easy layup off glass.

“I expected him to take the shot, draw the foul and go to the line,” Anderson said of the play. “That was the most unexpected, greatest feeling.”