Gorillas win third straight

DAVENPORT – Just one week ago, the Gorillas’ boys basketball team had a won/loss record of 1-5. On Saturday, Dec. 21, they overcame a 17 point deficit to defeat Chewelah 45-39, giving them their third win in the last seven days.

In the first half, the taller Cougars gave the Gorillas fits by driving the lane and attacking the basket. When the Gorillas’ defense collapsed on the ball, Chewelah kicked the ball out for uncontested jump shots. Their speed and crisp passing kept the Davenport defenders off-balance and a step behind.

Midway through the second quarter, the Cougars held a 23-6 lead, which they extended to 26-16 at the half.

“In the first half we were kind of in a slump,” Caige Colbert said. “We came out a little weak which is something we’ve struggled with since the beginning of the year.”

Davenport head coach Matt Henry, agreed.

“The first half was a little Jekyll and Hyde,” he said. “We turned the ball over too many times and looked a little bit out of sorts.”

The Gorillas were a different team in the second half. Shots fell, and the team’s pressure defense limited Chewelahs’ scoring opportunities. Colbert scored nine points in the third quarter, which allowed the Gorillas to outscore the Cougars 11-6. Going into the fourth quarter, Davenport trailed 32-27.

With 6:20 left in the game, Davenport’s McGuire Knopp stole the ball from the Cougars and passed it to Jacob Furman, whose 3-point basket knotted the score at 32. Seconds later, the Cougars turned the ball over to Colbert who drove the lane for a bucket, giving Davenport its first lead of the game at 34-32. Colbert scored two more quick baskets to put the Gorillas ahead 38-33 with 2:40 left. A 3-point basket by Titus Lathrop and another one by Bennett Wagner completed the comeback and gave the Gorillas the 45-39 win.

“At halftime coach said we needed to focus on our defense pressure and after that, it was off to the races,” Colbert said.

“I feel like we out executed them in the fourth quarter,” Henry said. “They are athletic and big. The only way we could beat them was to out execute them. We did a good job of getting the shots we wanted and were fortunate enough to have those drop. I was proud of our guys. They all contributed tonight.”

Colbert led the Gorillas in scoring with 21 points. He also had seven rebounds and four steals. Wagner had nine points, three rebounds and two steals. Jacob Furman had seven points and eight rebounds. Lathrop scored six points on two long-range shots. Knopp scored two points and Thomas Furman controlled the boards with 10 rebounds.

Ryen McMillan led Chewelah in scoring with 11 points.

The win improved the Gorillas’ record to 4-5 overall and 4-1 in NE2B play. The loss dropped Chewelah to 1-6. Davenport’s next game will be at home against Waterville Saturday, Jan. 1 at 4:30 p.m.