Boys Basketball: Gig Harbor Falls to Ballard 59-49 in First Round of State Tournament

boys basketball season came to an end Friday night as the Tides fell to the Ballard Beavers. Salim Gloyd's 27 points paced Ballard (16-8) to a 59-49 victory over the Gig Harbor (13-12) in the first round of the 2011 WIAA 4A Boys Basketball Hardwood Classic at Puyallup High School.

The Tides started off aggressively as they quickly got the ball to Austin Seferian-Jenkins down in the post. Steady plays on both ends of the court gave Gig Harbor a 19-9 lead early in the second quarter. However, Ballard wasted no time as the Beavers answered back with Gloyd's three-pointers and an 18-2 run. Ballard went into halftime with a 27-21 lead.

"I thought the game was more about Ballard answering the challenge," Gig Harbor coach Tom Adams said. "We had some good looks in the second quarter they just didn't fall for us."

Gig Harbor continued to battle back in the second half. Despite Ballard's half-court game on both ends of the court, the Tides' Seferian-Jenkins and Troy Castle were able to penetrate against the Beavers' defense. Seferian-Jenkins finished the night with a team-high 21 points. 

"I thought we did a good job to answer their length and their execution in the third quarter," Adams said. "We made them sweat keeping the game within two to three possessions."

The Tides managed to cut the deficit to 7 points at 53-46 with just under two minutes to play. However, Ballard secured its win with sound ball-handling and solid trips to the free-throw line.

After the game, senior Brandon Gagliardi reflected on the team's shortcomings against Ballard.

"It's a tough loss. We wanted to come out on top," he said. "Their length was just too much for us, and it was something we couldn't simulate in practice-- give them credit."

Despite the loss, Adams heaped plenty of praise on his outgoing senior class.

"These five seniors [Gagliardi, Seferian-Jenkins, Castle, Sam Medak and Cody Williams] committed to each other, the program, the coaching staff this season," Adams said. "These guys never caused any problems on the basketball floor or the classroom. They always worked hard."

"It's hard to see it end for the senior class, but we are like brothers, and even though we are moving on, we will still stay in touch with other," Gagliardi said.

Gig Harbor didn't go home empty handed as Medak received the WIAA Sportsmanship Award after the game for his display of good sportsmanship during the game.

Ballard will play Puyallup on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. The winner of the game will advance to play at Tacoma Dome next weekend.

Box Score

Gig Harbor: Austin Seferian-Jenkins 21, Troy Castle 13, Brandon Gagliardi 5, Sam Medak 5, Colby Oatridge 3, Cody Williams 2

Ballard: Salim Gloyd 27, Brad Baker 12, John Verduin 10, Seth Berger 7,  Nick OnstadHawes 2, Domisi Thrash 1

Team Fouls: Gig Harbor 15, Ballard 7