Perrion Callandret had missed his previous two dunks — both were eye-popping attempts, but misses nonetheless.
His third attempt was not only successful — it was a powerful tomahawk jam while charging down the lane that brought the fans to their feet.
Callandret’s progression of plays mirrored the flow of the game — and eventually talent prevailed.
Callandret and Zach LaVine both scored 19 points, teammate Josh Martin added 15 and Bothell advanced to the Class 4A state boys basketball tournament with a 61-49 victory over Bethel in a Saturday regional at Rogers High in Puyallup.
Bothell (21-3) was coming off a 24-point loss to Garfield on Feb. 15 and took a while to find its stride against a Braves squad that wasn’t about to go quietly.
Bryce Bowers led Bethel with 13 points and Joseph Johnson chipped in 12 for the Braves, who trailed 30-20 at halftime and 43-33 at the end of the third quarter.
“They hang with us,” said LaVine, a UCLA commit. “I think we had some nerves in the beginning.”
LaVine had some difficulties finding his touch from long range early and decided to attack the rim in the fourth quarter, leading to a pair of quick buckets.
Callandret followed his dramatic dunk by sinking a 3-pointer before a Ross Bowers 3-pointer pushed the Cougars’ lead to 56-37 with 31/2 minutes to play.
“I’ve been more of a fan this year than a coach,” said Bothell coach Ron Bollinger about his team’s play. “I find myself sitting back and just watching a lot of times.”
There were plenty of fourth-quarter highlights for Bollinger to enjoy as the trio of Callandret, LaVine and Martin put the game away.
“It’s a whole new season now,” LaVine said. “It’s anybody’s game now that state has started.”
Central Valley 61, Todd Beamer 55 (OT): Austin Rehkow scored 19 points and hauled in 13 rebounds and Beau Byus added 16 points to help the Bears get by the Titans.
Central Valley, 4A state runner-up last year, improved to 22-2 this season.
Beamer (18-8) had a chance to win at the end of regulation, but Bogdon Bliznyuk’s 3-pointer at the buzzer went long, sending the contest into overtime tied at 53.
The Bears trailed by two early into extra period, but their poise soon surfaced as they closed out the contest on a 7-0 run, getting two big free throws late from Rehkow.
“They’re good battlers,” Central Valley coach Rick Sloan said. “This is a whole different team from last year, but like last year, these guys just find a way to finish games. They just don’t seem to get rattled.”
Trey Burch-Manning paced Beamer with 19 points, while teammate Juwan Flowers added 14.
Trailing 30-23 at the half, Beamer slowly chipped away at the deficit until finally taking a 53-51 advantage on a Flowers 3 with 11/2 minutes to play.
Adam Chamberlian, who scored 13 points for the Bears, tied it at 53 with a pair of free throws with just over a minute remaining.
Neither team was able to convert down the stretch, leading to the overtime.
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