Trojans drive past Ravens, grab a share of league title

Auburn pulls way with 10th straight win; Troy’s girls also win

Sophomore Maleek Arington scored 18 points as Auburn turned back Auburn Mountainview Riverside 55-49 to capture a share of the North Puget Sound League Olympic title Friday night at Bob Jones Gymnasium.

Darrell Hester had 11 points and Trevon Blassingame scored 10 for the Trojans (13-1 in league, 18-3 overall), who have won 10 straight games.

Federal Way, which routed Todd Beamer 98-66 on Friday night, finished 13-1 in the division and 18-2 overall. Auburn and Federal Way split their regular-season games.

The vastly improved Ravens dropped to 8-6 and 13-7.

The Trojans, trailing 30-29 in the third quarter, went ahead on an Arington basket and free throw. Hester sank a free throw and Arington dropped in another free throw before Amar Rivers sank a shot to open a 36-30 lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Ravens tied it up at 44-44 on Isiah Gulchuck’s 3-pointer, but the Trojans pulled ahead for good on Blassingame’s basket. Hester and Arington combined to score eight of the last nine points for Auburn.

Sophomore Dae’Kwon Watson scored 22 points and Blassingame finished with 17 points as Auburn stopped Auburn Mountainview 67-36 Wednesday night on West Hill.

Elsewhere

In girls play, the Trojans downed the Ravens 48-31 to complete the regular-season sweep and improve to 10-4 (third in league) and 13-8 (overall).

On Wednesday, the Trojans topped the Lions 40-39, sweeping that regular-season series. Emily Strojan led Auburn with 10 points and seven rebounds. Alerjah Hill finished with nine points.