DEMING – It was tightly contested throughout, but in front of a jam-packed Deming Dome crowd, it was the Mount Baker boys basketball team getting its first conference victory of the season, a 65-58 win over Ferndale, on Monday night.
“Our main concern going into this game was improving our rebounding,” said Mountaineer coach Andy Hart after picking up his first varsity win. “We challenged them to individually focus on this, and they delivered with a season high 34 boards.”
This coming off getting out-rebounded 43-13 on Friday night at Bellingham.
The Mountie win came in front of a camouflage-laden crowd, in support of the tragic loss of classmate Noah Rathjen. Students and supporters from all over the county came, also wearing camouflage and brought banners of support to the Mount Baker community.
6-foot-4 junior power forward Waylon Kentner led Baker in scoring with 13 points, and senior guard David Vetkov contributed with 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Senior center Michael Kentner filled up the stat sheet with seven points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Ferndale was led by the 21 points of senior sharp shooter Seqyouah Julius, who connected on four 3-pointers. 6-foot-6 senior Stewart Freeman finished with 12 points.
The Mountaineers (5-10) will host Blaine (6-8) on Thursday night, and the Golden Eagles (8-7) will host Meridian (7-8) on Friday night.
Mount Baker 65, Ferndale 58
FERN 14 18 16 10 — 58
MB 19 14 16 16 — 65
MB: Jacoby 9, Vetkov 12, M. Kentner 7, Hart 2, Bass 6, W. Kentner 13, Backstrom 8, Lee 4, Smith 4.
FERN: Le 2, Stewart 0, Leighton 0, Fox 0, Julius 21, Guillory 0, Morrison 11, Fairbairn 5, Monks 7, Freeman 12.
3-Pointers: MB 3 (Vetkov 2, Jacoby); FERN 4 (Julius 4). Rebounds: MB 34 (M. Kentner 7); FERN N/A. Assists: MB 15 (Backstrom 4, M.Kentner 4); FERN N/A. Steals: MB 8 (M. Kentner 3); FERN N/A. Blocks: MB N/A; FERN N/A.
