Blaine basketball rallies to snag a higher playoff seeding

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After a couple disappointing weeks on the court, the Blaine boys varsity basketball team capped its season with two key wins at home that gave the Borderites a crucial boost in playoff seeding.

A dominating 62–49 win against Nooksack Valley on February 5 and a 61–57 victory over Sehome on February 8 bumped the Borderites up a couple spots in playoff seeding to the eighth position out of 12. Blaine will host a rematch against ninth-seeded Sehome in the must-win first round playoff game on Thursday, February 13. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

“I’m sure they’re going to be looking for revenge,” said Blaine head coach Brett Farrar, about Sehome. “Motivation will be high on both sides of the ball.”

Both Blaine and Sehome finished the regular season with 5–8 records in conference games, but Blaine’s 11–9 overall record bests Sehome’s overall record of 8–12. The higher-seeded teams host the first-round games, giving Blaine the home advantage.

“It’s always nice to play at home. We’ve had great community support and the crowds have always been behind us,” Farrar said. “Being able to have that first elimination game at home, it doesn’t necessarily make you comfortable but it sure beats having to hop on a bus and travel somewhere.”

Josh Russ shined in both final regular season games, scoring 22 points against Nooksack Valley and 19 against Sehome.

“He’s playing his best basketball right now – really assertive on offensive and pretty aggressive at trying to get the ball to the hoop,” Farrar said.

Kyle Turnberg scored 15 against Sehome, with 13 points in Blaine’s big 42-point second half. Zane Rector scored 13 against Sehome and 20 against Nooksack Valley.

The winner of the Thursday game against Sehome will advance to play undefeated Burlington-Edison at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 15, at Burlington-Edison High School.

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