Long bombs, big rebounds and accuracy at the free-throw line helped a scrappy Cedarcrest High School boys basketball team fight off the visiting South Whidbey Falcons in a rambunctious home match last Friday, Jan. 28.

Sophomore Zach Taylor’s eagle eyes and sure hands sunk several long shots early on, helping the Red Wolves take the lead 17-10 in the first quarter. The Falcons battled back in the second, though, making it 33-28, Red Wolves leading.

In the third quarter, Cedarcrest fell behind, 44-45, but the team finished strong and won, 63-60.

Taylor led the team in points with 26, going 5 for 7 from two-point range, 3 for 7 from three-point range and 7 for 7 in free-throws. He also led the team with four assists and three steals.

Colton Rekers paced the team with 12 points, playing ferocious defense on South Whidbey’s best player, Riley Newman, while Justin Houser made several diving plays that turned the momentum of the game.

Andrew Alness claimed nine boards to lead the team for rebounds, followed by Tanner Marty with six and Taylor and Rekers with five apiece.

Meeting a team goal, the Red Wolves won the rebound battle, 32 to 25. Alness and Taylor used their long arms to get two blocks apiece.

Chris Dowd hit a big three-pointer down the stretch of the fourth quarter and Tanner Marty had a big rebound and a big free throw to put the team up by three points with only a few seconds left.

Fouls allowed Nick Cardon several minutes of play in the second quarter. He hit two big free throws in the first half.

“We’ve had three really good opponents in our last three games and we’ve pulled off each game with a hard-fought victory,” Rieke said. “It was just a rocking crowd and a great atmosphere.”