Renton Boys Hold Off Lindbergh, 56-51

The Renton boys basketball team held off a hot shooting Lindbergh team to win 56-51 Friday night to remain undefeated in Seamount League play.

The seventh ranked Indians (6-0 league, 12-0 overall) controlled most of the game, even being up 15 points with 5:37 left in the third period when the Eagles (2-3 league, 4-7 overall) outscored the Indians  28-13 to tie the game at 49 with 3:48 left in the game.

Senior guard Lavelle Smith took over the game scoring four points, including two from the free throw line to put the Indians ahead. Lindbergh held Renton to just 10 points in the fourth.

Lindbergh senior wing Colin Malone led all scorers with  17 points; Smith led the Indians with 13. Seniors Donovan Saario and Jonathan Patterson provided 11 additional points each for the Indians.

"Records don't mean anything when it comes to a Hazen or Lindbergh game," said Renton Head Coach Rick Comer after the game. "Lindbergh did a great job tonight. Our assistant coach Rashaad Powell told the boys, "if it's close, it's going to be a dog fight."

With the Indians off to the hottest start since 2008, it's also the school's 60th anniversary to its first of several state basketball titles.

"This team has made its own identity. We are focused on Tyee on Tuesday and then each game after that," said Comer.

Playoffs ahead

With non-league play complete, each team has nine games remaining in the regular season before Sub-District playoffs begins.

Renton's boys and girls teams look to take the league's top 2A seed; however, the Lindbergh boys, who finished fifth last year at 2A state, are out of the playoffs unless the Eagles can win seven or more of their last nine games. Lindbergh has key games at Foster (Jan. 9), Kennedy (Jan. 16), at Evergreen (Jan. 18), at Renton (Jan. 30).

Allocations to the sub-district playoffs were reduced by one school for the 2A and 3A playoffs. Last year Bremerton was part of the 3A group, but moved to 2A this year, giving the Olympic League the additional allocation as the teams qualify for the West Central District tournament.

Current boys playoff seeds to subdistricts (if season ended today):

2A - Renton, Evergreen, Foster (Lindbergh out)

3A - Kennedy Catholic, Hazen

Current girls playoff seeds to subdistricts (if season ended today):

2A - Renton, Foster, Lindbergh

3A - Kennedy Catholic, Hazen

Current league standings and schedules

Current boys state rankings as provided by the ScoreCzar.

Current girls state rankings as provided by the ScoreCzar.