March 2, 2013

Keaton McAtee
Assistant Editor

If Seattle Prep and Rainier Beach put their talents together they would have a combined total of four current NBA players. This opening round matchup has been a basketball rivalry in the Seattle for more than a decade with indescribable amounts of talent on each bench.

Early on the game was a dogfight, both teams jawing back and forth and exchanging buckets.

[db]DJ Fenner[/db] had the hot hand early for the Panthers, cashing in on a couple of difficult shots and giving Prep the early lead. Fenner’s play making abilities allowed Prep to set the tempo of the game; slowing the ball down on offense and running it through a couple of series before taking a shot.

A nice step back jumper by Fenner with two seconds left on the clock gave the Panthers a 16-10 lead heading into the second quarter. In the second quarter a very ironic technical foul was called that helped shift the energy and help the Vikings get rolling.

Fenner was called for a traveling violation and wasn't to thrilled about the call.  He tossed the ball to the ref and ran down the court to get ready for defense. The ref threw a technical his way and everyone was unsure about it.  Fenner questioned the ref and got the explanation that it was because he put his hands behind his head when he ran down the floor, a very unusual call.

Beach was able to chip away at the lead and get within two at the halfway mark. Elijah Foster started the scoring run in the second half for Beach. They would go on to score an immediate six points and force coach Michael Kelly to call a timeout.

Fenner was doing everything he could to help keep the Panthers close, but was also forcing the issue. The Panthers intensity was depleted and was apparent when they turned the ball over in back court when there was no pressure, which lead to a hoop and harm for Beach.

Beach pushed their lead to six points heading into the final quarter. Fenner wanted the ball in his hands throughout the fourth quarter. On the first couple possessions he drove right at his defender, drawing two fouls and getting to the charity stripe.

Just as quick as Fenner’s first step, Beach was able to answer with a deep three by MarQuis Davis, followed by another by Dejounte Murry.

Beach commanded the rest of the game and headed on to win 60-52. DJ Fenner led all scorers with 24 points. Rainier Beach will play Franklin in the first semifinal game Friday night.  Seattle Prep will play Timberline in the consolation bracket.