McCloud rains on Shadle

TACOMA – Shadle Park’s championship basketball dreams came down to the final seconds of a game of contrasting halves. They were dashed by their biggest pregame concern.

Jordan McCloud’s score on an offensive rebound and putback handed Decatur (22-6) a 57-55 victory over the Highlanders (22-5) during Thursday’s State 4A boys basketball tournament quarterfinal at the Tacoma Dome.

Less than a minute before, the Highlanders had been called for a blocking foul that turned the ball over for the Gators’ final and successful opportunity.

The day before, Shadle coach Tim Gaebe had worried about Decatur’s rebounding ability.

In this case, Decatur guard Michael Hale III took a shot off the pick and roll and the long bounce eluded the Highlanders.

McCloud said it was muscle memory that enabled him to secure the ball and put it back up.

“I had to grab it,” he said, explaining it is something the Gators practice.

The first half of the game the Gators clamped their defense on Shadle – Zack Humphrey was held scoreless – and led 29-21 on the shooting of Marcus Tibbs and Hale, who as point guard adeptly directed the offense.

“They took us out of our thing,” Gaebe said.

In an ominous sign, freshman Jerron Smith twice scored on offensive rebounds. He would also have two offensive putbacks in the second half when the team got three shots at the basket.

The game took a decided tempo upswing when Humphrey got untracked. He made four second-half 3-pointers and all 18 of his points.

“I expected Zack to come back,” Gaebe said.

The Highlanders piled up 25 third-quarter points and led 48-45 early in the fourth quarter. They got a bigger break when Tibbs, who finished with 17 points, fouled out with 6:09 left to play.

By then Hale had fueled a comeback and five-point lead.

Humphrey tied it at 55-all with his final seven points. He had the ball as Shadle was working the clock in the final 1:35. With 50 seconds remaining, Robby Douglas was called for the blocking foul that set up Decatur’s winning basket.

“It’s too bad that was made,” Gaebe said. “I wish they’d let the kids decide it.”

Gaebe said Shadle had several good looks for scores that didn’t materialize and it came down to the offensive boards, of which Decatur had 13.

“They had too many,” Gaebe said. “That was a concern of ours. I think we could have played better, but obviously they are a good team.”

Anthony Brown scored 19 points to lead Shadle. Hale finished with 20 to pace the Gators.

“As soon as Tibbs fouled out he came to me and said, ‘You have to take over,’ Hale said. “But Jordan McCloud was the hero.”