Malachi Patton hit the go-ahead jumper with 58 seconds to go as the Prairie boys basketball team rallied late to beat Central Valley 76-72 in a Class 3A state opening round game Tuesday in Veradale.
The Falcons advance to play Eastside Catholic in a Round 2 loser-out game on Saturday in Issaquah.
After Prairie led most of the game, Central Valley took a 68-63 lead with 3:21 to play on back-to-back 3-pointers by Orland Axton.
The Falcons fought back with a steal by Ben Nkansah, setting up Patton’s go-ahead jumper with 58 seconds to play.
Jamir Jones hit a couple of free throws with 15 seconds to play to seal the win.
Carson Morningstar led Prairie (17-8) with 28 points and Patton finished with 19 points. Tavin Timperley scored 12 points on four 3-pointers.
PRAIRIE 76, CENTRAL VALLEY 72
PRAIRIE — Jamir Jones 6, Malachi Patton 19, Ben Nkansah 5, Carson Morningstar 28, Tavin Timperley 12, Daniel Carbajal Vargas 2, Riley Burke 4, Griffin Smith 0. Totals 30 (4) 12-15 76.
CENTRAL VALLEY — Hunter Bernhart 8, Cameron Walls 16, Jace Nordhagen 0, Branson Olson 9, Orland Axton 28, Jason Anderson 0, Isaac Plunkett 2, Emerson Lippoldt 12. Totals 25 (7) 15-16 72.
