A Fatty Dub!

Headline inspired by Kellogg senior Brandon Miller

By JOSH MCDONALD

Staff Reporter

MERIDIAN –– Senior Graden Nearing had 22 points to lead the Wildcats past Homedale 56-48 in the consolation semifinals.

Nearing picked up his third foul early in the second quart which forced the Wildcats to utilize their bench to stay in the contest.

Kellogg trailed by one at halftime, but unlike their opening contest of the tournament, they used a decisive third quarter to put themselves in control of the game.

“It was physical, but it always is when you get down here,” coach Jeff Nearing said following the game. “The kids kept their composure and played through it. K.J. (Walker) played some huge minutes for us when Graden got into foul trouble and really held down the fort for us.”

Graden Nearing may have handled the bulk of the scoring for Kellogg, but Taylor Bush, Kellogg’s other starting guard has been equally spectacular on the less glamorous end of the floor.

“You just can’t say enough about what he (Bush) gives us on the defensive end,” Nearing said. “What he does for us doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet, but the impact he’s having for us is immeasurable.”

Both Bush and Tyler Oertli finished with eight points each for the Wildcats.

Kellogg will now face Snake River in the consolation championship on Saturday morning.

The Panthers stormed back from a late double-digit deficit to knock off Marsh Valley in overtime.

The Wildcats eliminated Snake River in last year’s tournament.

Familiarity becomes commonplace in the later rounds of the state tournament, and Nearing and company are looking forward to the challenge.

“We know them, we played them last year. They’re solid, they’re the real deal,” Nearing said. “They play real tough and we expect more of the same.”

Kellogg and Snake River will tip off at 9:15 a.m. (MST) at Meridian High School.