Storm fall to Olympia in Tacoma Dome; Knights out in SunDome
Kyle Gruhler already understands that a high school season, a high school career cannot be defined by one game.
A senior with the Skyview Storm, Gruhler played his final game for his school Friday in the consolation round of the Class 4A state boys basketball tournament at the Tacoma Dome.
“You have to be grateful, no matter the outcome,” he said.
The outcome did not go Skyview’s way.
Olympia shot 70 percent from the floor for the game and rolled past Skyview 75-55 in the consolation semifinals. Ethan Gahm led three Bears in double figures with 20 points.
Gruhler led Skyview with 23 points. Jace Chatman added 17.
Two years ago, Skyview finished sixth in state.
“Going to the dome twice for the first time in school history is something I’ll cherish forever,” Gruhler said. “I probably won’t remember this game in 10 years, but I’ll always remember coming to the dome twice.”
“Playing for my dad is an experience I’ll never forget,” Kyle Gruhler added, noting his father, head coach Matt Gruhler.
The coach had to fight off his emotions when talking with the media. No, not just because this was his last game with his son. This was the last game with this specific team, a truly special team, he said.
“Our guys kept fighting and never quit,” the coach said.
The 2019-20 Storm finished with a 19-11 record, plus a trip to the state quarterfinals.
“It’s an exceptional season because our kids were so together until the end. They played their tails off for each other. … The senior group has left a good legacy.”
Olympia went on a 12-0 run in the first quarter to take a double-digit lead. The Bears pushed that lead to 19 in the third quarter.
The previous night, Skyview rallied from an 18-point deficit to tie Central Valley in the fourth quarter before falling in the quarterfinals.
There was no comeback this day.
But the memories of making it to the dome will last, the Storm said.
Class 1A boys
River View 58, King’s Way Christian 57
King’s Way Christian’s season came to an end with an overtime loss at the Yakima Valley SunDome. The Knights finished the season with a 20-8 overall record.
Bryson Metz scored eight of his 15 points in the third quarter as King’s Way Christian outscored River View 17-5 in the period to take a 38-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Brady Metz hit a 3-pointer with 16 seconds remaining in the game to give the Knights a 50-47 lead but River View’s Braulio Mendoza answered with a 3-pointer of his own with 9 seconds left to play to tie the game at 50 and force overtime.
In the overtime period, Bryson Metz scored on a layup with 29 seconds left to play to pull the Knights to within a point at 58-57 but King’s Way Christian failed to score again.
Brady Metz finished with a team-high 20 points, making six of his 16 attempts from behind the 3-point line. Bryson Metz had four assists and four steals to go with his 15 points. Kai Butterworth added 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Knights.
