Spartans take control in the second half, move onto tourney semis.

Posted at 11:41 p.m.

BANK OF AMERICA ARENA – The Bellevue Wolverines were ready for this one.

They came out focused and hit their shots in a big way, shooting 70 percent in the first half.

But it was all Bainbridge in the second, as they took over and beat the Kingco 3A champs 64-54 to move on to the semifinals in the 3A state tournament at Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmunson Pavillion.

Bainbridge outscored Bellevue 36-21 in the third and fourth quarters to send the Wolverines to the loser’s bracket and keep the Spartans in the hunt for their first state title in 59 years.

“That’s a great win,” guard Nick Fling said. “That’s going to help us a lot in the next game.”

Bainbridge came out focused, but Bellevue shot the lights out in the first half.

Bellevue forwards Luke Sikma and Alex Schrempf came out on fire, leading the Wolverines to a 22-13 lead after one.

Steven Gray and Coby Gibler kept them in it, but Bellevue kept it going in the second quarter as guard Cam Warren – averaging 1.3 points a game – scored several as Bellevue went up by five at the half.

“We weren’t playing great defense,” head coach Scott Orness said. “We were making a lot of mental errors where we were giving up layins. We don’t give up layins. They were getting a lot of backdoor cuts.

“So getting focused on what we needed to do on offense and defense in the second and third quarter really helped us win.”

Bainbridge did just that, slowly working their way back into the game, then taking the lead at 36-35 on a basket inside by Gibler.

Gray then completed a three point play as Belleve went ice cold in the third, scoring just one field goal.

Bainbridge didn’t let up in the fourth, but Sikma didn’t either. He scored again and again with the jumper from the baseline.

But the Spartans did their job by running out the clock while Wood and Gibler did their damage from the inside.

Bainbridge also connected on their foul shots from the line, shooting 72 percent from the charity stripe.

“We’ve had those situations where we’ve been in a hole against good teams” and they’ve responded to the pressure, said guard Steven Gray. “I think that will boost our confidence going into the rest of the tournament.”

Gray finished with 21 points, three rebounds and four assists.

Gibler had 22 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.

Sikma led Bellevue with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Bainbridge plays upstart North Central from Spokane tomorrow at 9 p.m. The winner moves on to the big one Saturday night at 9 p.m. against O’Dea and Southridge while the loser is relegated to the third/sixth place game against the loser of that game Saturday at 5 p.m.