The Evergreen boys basketball team got a boost and a big game all in one on Tuesday.
Arthur Ban had a monster game with 22 points and 20 rebounds, while Dez Daniel returned to the lineup from injury with 23 points as the Plainsmen beat visiting Heritage 68-58 in the 3A Greater St. Helens League game.
The win keeps Evergreen (9-5, 5-1 3A GSHL) in first place.
Daniel, out since suffering a knee injury against Kelso on Jan. 5, scored 14 points in the second half and was 6 for 7 from the free-throw line.
Ban, who also had four blocked shots, scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to help keep Heritage (2-14, 0-5) from rallying all the way back.
The Timberwolves outscored Evergreen 41-38 in the second half, but couldn’t overcome the 13-point halftime deficit. Heritage was led in scoring by Suda Karuo’s 17 points. Jayce Gallant had 15 points, and Jose Zacarias had 13.
BATTLE GROUND 77, KELSO 70 — Trey Spencer scored 35 points as the Tigers kept Kelso at bay down the stretch for a non-league home win.
Spencer was 14 for 15 from the foul line, including 10 for 10 in the fourth quarter. The Tigers made 13 of 15 free throws in the final quarter, in which Kelso scored 27 points.
Austin Ralphs had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Battle Ground (6-9). Boston Walker added 11 points.
Hayden Yore scored 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter for Kelso (11-5). Michael Henderson added 24 points.
STEVENSON 49, KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 45 — Kacen Bach scored 11 of his game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs held on for a 1A Trico League road win.
Chris Blackledge added 12 points as Stevenson (9-3 overall, 3-1 Trico) won its fourth straight game.
Ryan Tyler scored 14 points and Jackson Lovato added 13 points for King’s Way (5-10, 1-4).
