Originally published January 13, 2012 at 11:19 PM | Page modified January 14, 2012 at 12:25 AM
No. 1 Rainier Beach holds off Franklin, 80-72 | Boys Basketball
Former Quaker Anrio Adams scored 19 points and got lots of support from his new teammates as the Vikings beat No. 7 Franklin.
Seattle Times staff reporter
MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Rainier Beach junior Will Dorsey, center, is caught in a squeeze of arms and legs as he goes to the floor in a battle for a loose ball.
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This wasn't just another game for Rainier Beach guard Anrio Adams.
For the first time since the senior transferred from Franklin last season, he was playing against his old teammates. The gym was packed and Metro League bragging rights were on the line.
Before the opening tip he bounced up and down at midcourt. He shook his head back and forth, then threw down a baseline dunk for the game's first points.
"I felt like this was a personal game for me and my Beach family," Adams said. "It was just a great game."
Adams finished with 19 points and a few highlight-reel dunks, but the top-ranked Vikings held on to beat No. 7 Franklin 80-72 Friday night because everyone contributed.
"In practice, I make sure that I get my guys involved, so when it's game time, they know it's not just me," Adams said. "Most importantly, this year, I'm not trying to prove to anybody that I can score. This year, I'm focusing on getting the state championship."
The Vikings (13-0, 9-0 Metro) took a step toward that as junior Marquis Davis scored 21 points and hit three big three-pointers in the second quarter to help Rainier Beach build a double-digit lead. Will Dorsey scored 17 points and hit back-to-back threes to push the lead to 18 in the third quarter.
And, despite foul trouble, Fuquan Niles and Elijah Foster (seven rebounds) were a presence in the post for the Vikings.
But, like in any good rivalry, there was a comeback. Franklin (11-3, 8-1) trailed by 19 after three quarters, but junior point guard Arell Hennings never lost his focus.
He scored inside and out, and converted a four-point play. He scored 12 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter, but the Quakers could only close to within five.
"We lost our focus down the stretch," Rainier Beach coach Mike Bethea said. "Overall, we got a win against a quality team. It was a good character builder."
The physical, emotional game featured an intentional foul, a flagrant foul and a technical in the fourth quarter.
"It was nothing personal," Bethea said. "That's just what rivals do."
Bethea was happy with the win, but disappointed by his team's free-throw shooting.
"I just think the crowd got at us a little bit," said Adams, who made only 3 of 15 free throws.
Mason Kelley: 206-464-8277 or mkelley@seattletimes.com
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