Holm ignites Tomahawk comeback

EVERETT — The Tomahawk boys basketball team was doing a lot of things right.

Protecting the ball, passing inside to 6-8 post Spencer Elwell and taking Cascade standout Chris McGrath out of the game.

“Really, our goal was to get the ball inside to our big man because they didn’t have a 6-8 guy,” said M-P coach Bary Gould.

But by halftime, even though Elwell had 11 points and McGrath was limited to six — all the points he’d get in the Jan. 16 game — M-P still trailed 28-21. But hot three-point shooting gave Cascade an edge and the Tomahawks needed some kind of answer.

“Our offense and team weren’t getting shots, so I thought I’d go to the basket in the second half,” said senior guard Tyler Holm.

Holm, whose defense had been a factor in limiting McGrath’s productivity, was true to his word. As the Tomahawks closed on Cascade’s lead early in the fourth quarter, Holm hit a big three-pointer to tie the game up 44-44.

“I wouldn’t have had him shoot that three-pointer,” Gould said. “But like we say, it’s always a great shot if you hit it.”

The Bruins turned the ball over on the next possession and it ended up in Holm’s hands again, part of a 10-3 run he single-handedly posted against Cascade, culminating in a steal, basket and three-point play that put M-P up for good, 51-47 with less than a minute remaining.

The Tomahawks won, 53-49.

Elwell and Holm each finished with a team-high 16 points, while senior guard Ryan Lanphere had 11.

“We’re playing amazing team basketball,” Holm said. “No one’s selfish on this team. ... We’ve got to play this way to win.”

Click here for more photos.

Contact Marysville Globe Sports Reporter Danielle Szulczewski at dszulczewskir@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.