by Trevor Pyle
MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Christian boys’ basketball team had one of its biggest crowds yet in its new gym Friday as it hosted Concrete. And with a victory in a game that had wide-ranging playoff implications, the Hurricanes gave their blue-and-white-clad fans something to cheer about.
Andy Pritchard scored 14 points, Derrick DeVries added 10 and Jeffrey McClelland added a sharp floor game as the Hurricanes held off the Lions 60-49 for a Northwest 2B/1A League victory.
The Hurricanes improved to 4-6 in league and 8-6 overall. They hold a one-game lead for the third, and final postseason spot over Concrete and Shoreline Christian with two games remaining.
“This was a big game for both Concrete and us, and we left in on the court tonight,” Mount Vernon Christian coach Kevin VanderWal said. “The kids were patient, dove on the floor for balls and did what it took to win.”
Pritchard scored his points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field and a 1-for-2 night at the free-throw line; DeVries scored eight of his 10 in the first half.
McClelland, a 5-foot-11 junior guard for the Hurricanes, scored seven points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out five assists.
“He’s a high-energy guy — he’s all over the court,” VanderWal said.
Ben VanderKooy scored eight points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes will go into a pair of road games next week hoping to stay ahead of their rivals for the final tri-district playoff spot, facing Darrington on Tuesday and Friday Harbor on Friday.
Chris Smith scored 21 points to lead the Lions, adding seven rebounds and four steals. Kyler Howell added nine points — all in the first half — and Tyler Clark scored eight for the Lions (3-7, 4-13).
But the Lions struggled to find their shooting touch, both from the field, where they shot 17 of 49, and from the line, where they were 14 of 26, including 4-for-11 in the fourth quarter.
The Lions had downed Orcas Island the previous afternoon, and Concrete coach Chad Dinkins said the effort may have sapped their energy.
“In our league, you don’t play many double headers,” he said. “We played hard tonight, but were flat. That’s not to take anything away from Mount Vernon Christian. They played great.”
The Lions will host Friday Harbor on Tuesday, then play at Shoreline Christian on Friday.
Dinkins said that the Lions may trail for a playoff spot, but still can grab control of their future.
“We’re still in the picture,” he said.
• Trevor Pyle can be reached at 360-416-2156 or by e-mail at
