The No. 5 Pirates beat No. 4 Richland 59-54 on Thursday at the Tacoma Dome. Davis, which won the tournament in 2011-12, advances to play Woodinville on Friday at 3:45.
TACOMA — After a couple of close calls in the postseason, the Davis boys basketball team was ready for a strong test in the first round of the state tournament.
The No. 5 Pirates (20-4) got it and passed, beating No. 4 Richland 59-54 on Thursday at the Tacoma Dome to advance to the Class 4A state semifinals. Davis, which won the tournament in 2011-12, advances to play Woodinville on Friday at 3:45.
Despite a large free-throw discrepancy in favor of Richland (28 to Davis’ 11), the game stayed within a one-possession margin for much of the first half. But Davis (Yakima) was able to open up a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter behind Nikhil Lizotte, who finished with a game-high 22 points.
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Richland (19-5) cut the deficit to two with just under four minutes remaining. But the Pirates survived the run and Lizotte went 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to close out the victory.
“I think that having the experience of the last two games, which have been real tight and close, helped,” said Davis coach Eli Juarez. “Coming into that situation, our kids knew what to expect and were a little more relaxed.”
Lizotte carried the team offensively, but it was Davis’ defense that made the difference. The Pirates held junior Steven Beo to 13 points — he averaged 34.9 on the season, including 45 points in a December win over Davis.
“We had a lot of help on him by switching and getting a hand in his face,” said Juarez. Richland faces Kentwood in a consolation game at 9 a.m.