Bellevue holds off Foster 50-34 | State Boys Basketball

During Wednesday's pre-game introductions, Aaron Bright's fellow starters did a series of elaborate handshakes and jump and bumps after hearing their names announced over the Tacoma Dome's speakers.

Bright went with a simple fist bump.

It's the same been-there, done-that relaxed attitude that the even-keeled Bellevue standout has been trying to convey to his teammates all season. As the only returning member of last year's squad that finished third at state, Bright told his teammates before the game that it was going to be hard shooting in the cavernous dome.

He was right.

The Wolverines shook off a difficult first half of shooting and rode a strong defensive effort to beat Foster of Tukwila 50-34 in the first round of the Class 3A state tournament.

"We came out really shaky," said Bright, who will play at Stanford next season. "It's hard playing out there on that floor."

Bellevue shot just 8 of 26 in the first half and committed nine turnovers but clamped down defensively on Foster in the second half. The Wolverines (23-3) forced the Bulldogs into 19 second half turnovers and limited the opportunities to Foster big man Darius Page, a 6-foot-8 senior averaging 16 points per contest. Bellevue senior Ian Gordon limited the big man to just 12 points on the night.

"What won the game for us was our defense," said Bellevue coach Chris O'Connor.

On a night when Bellevue's offense had the most balance its had all season - five players scored more than seven points - the biggest offensive jolt came from junior Evian Richard, who came off the bench to lead the Wolverines with 12 points, a season-high.

"I thought Evian Richard did a great job coming off the bench," O'Connor said. "He does a great job of applying ball pressure and turnovers and got a nice run going tonight."

Late in the third quarter, Richard drove through the lane and made a layup, then made a steal on the ensuing Foster (16-9) possession and converted on another drive to the bucket that put Bellevue up 34-22.

"I just felt like I could come in and be a spark off the bench," Richard said.

Bright added 11 points for the Wolverines while Gordon chipped in nine and Sikma added eight. Will Locke scored seven points for Bellevue.

"Teams are going to focus on limiting Aaron's touches on the ball," O'Connor said. "Other guys are going to have to step up like they did tonight."

Bellevue moves on to play Enumclaw tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The 25-0 Hornets held off Meadowdale 49-43 to advance to the quarterfinals. Enumclaw beat Bellevue 53-47 in January.

"They have the whole package," O'Connor said. "That's why they are undefeated."

Contact Bellevue Reporter Sports Writer Joel Willits at jwillits@bellevuereporter.com or 425-453-5045.

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