It was a clash of styles from the beginning. Lindbergh plays with a frenetic pace of offense. Renton passes around the perimeter, patiently waiting for a mistake.
In the end Renton’s discipline won out as the Indians topped the Eagles 71-52 Wednesday night.
“We didn’t make smart decisions,” said Lindbergh coach Chris Weakley. “If you don’t make smart decisions you get blown out by 22. That’s simple math.”
Renton (8-7 overall, 8-3 Seamount) moved into a three-way tie with Foster and Mount Rainier for the league lead with the win.
Lindbergh (2-10, 1-10) falls six games behind the fifth place team with fives games to play.
The teams were tied heading into the half. Lindbergh’s Derek Roseboro picked up his third foul three minutes into the second half and had to sit for most of the quarter. As soon as he went out, Renton went on a 7-0 run to build a 42-45 lead.
The Eagles’ foul trouble continued as they picked up their seventh team foul with 1:40 left in the third, putting Renton in the bonus.
The Indians took advantage of turnovers and used fast break points to push out a 56-42 lead by the end of the quarter.
Lindbergh briefly pulled back into the game, coming within nine points at 58-49.
Renton quickly answered with a 6-0 run and built a 19-point lead with 2:48 left when Hanley Shum made a three-point play after a layup and foul.
Shum led Renton with 20 points. Achoki Moikobu scored 18 and D.J. Eubanks added 10.
David Bowman led Lindbergh with 21 points. Dwayne Brown scored 13.
The Eagles, who lost five games by six points or less, are eliminated from any playoff games and looking forward.
“We’re trying to find out what some of these guys can do for next year,” Weakley said. “Just trying to rebuild and get these seniors finished up.”
Hazen 69, Tyee 42
After four straight losses, Hazen finally rebounded with a 69-42 win against Tyee Wednesday.
The Highlanders (10-6, 6-6) are 1.5 games behind Evergreen for the final playoff spot in the league with four games to play. Evergreen would hold the tiebreaker by virtue of its 2-0 record against Hazen this season.
Hazen led by nine points at the half, then pushed the game out of reach with a 28-8 run in the third quarter.
Dewit Kasa led the team with 14 points. R.J. Magar scored 10. Eight players scored six points or more for Hazen.
Bellevue 78, Liberty 40
Liberty built an early lead but soon lost it and the game to Bellevue 78-40 Tuesday.
The Patriots (4-12, 1-7 KingCo 3A/2A) led 15-14 after the first quarter. Bellevue went on a 25-7 run in the second quarter.
The Wolverines carried a 27-point lead into the third quarter, then pushed the lead even higher with a 19-8 run in the fourth.
Chandler Jenkins and Kyle Marlow each scored nine to lead Liberty.
