The Storm took advantage of Puyallup’s focus on Kyle Gruhler early and Sean Boss hit a pair of big 3-pointers late to seal the road victory in the 4A West Central/Southwest Bi-District Tournament. The Storm (16-6) face Battle Ground on Friday in a winner-to-regionals game at a Clark County location to be determined.
Squeeky Johnson finished with 20 points and six assists and Jace Chatman added 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The duo combined for three 3-pointers in the first quarter as Skyview took a 24-14 lead.
“It’s the second straight playoff game a team’s gameplan was to take Kyle (Gruhler) out of it,” Skyview coach Matt Gruhler said. “And we made them pay.” Puyallup closed the deficit to six but Boss, who finished with 12 points on four 3-pointers, hit a pair of triples to keep Puyallup at bay. Skyview finished 10 of 22 from beyond the arc. Kyle Gruhler finished with 10 points.
Skyview and Battle Ground split the regular-season series. The Tigers won the first meeting 53-45 and the Storm won the second 49-42.
