By Doug Petrowski

After a cold-shooting 14.3 percent from the three-point arc in the first half, the Mountlake Terrace Hawks found a way to warm up after the break, coming from behind to beat the Stanwood Spartans 58-52 on Friday night in Stanwood.

The Spartans used a 13-2 run to finish the first half and take a 32-21 lead into halftime. But Terrace put together an 11-0 run of its own to close out the third quarter and cut the deficit to 38-37. Hawks Marquis Armstead and Blake Fernandez hit big treys in the period, while Greg Bowman anchored the defensive effort with three of his game-high five blocks in the third.

The Hawks also also hit six-for-nine for 67 percent from three-point range in the second half.

Armstead and Bowman led the Hawks in scoring with 17 points each; Bowman also led the team in rebounds with 10 boards. Fernandez hit for 14 points in the Terrace win.

Stanwood was led by the 16 points of Josh Thayer; Cannen Roberson added 13. The Hawks’ tough inside defense clamped down on the Spartan big front line; 6-10 Drew Sears scored just seven, while 6-8 Drew Stang could only muster six points.

With the victory, Mountlake Terrace goes to 6-1 in Wesco play, 11-2 overall, and holds onto a share of first place in the Wesco 3A South conference. The Hawks are currently ranked 10th in the Seattle Times state 3A boys basketball poll. Stanwood suffered its first Wesco loss of the season but holds on to first place in the 3A North conference at 6-1, 9-5 overall.

The Hawks get two home games next week. On Tuesday, they face an Everett Seagulls squad playing much better than their 6-8 overall record may indicate. The Seagulls have won four of their last six, including a 62-55 upset of Shorecrest on Friday night. Then next Friday Meadowdale visits the Terracium. Both games begin at 7:15 p.m., with the live broadcast on the Hawks Live Sports Network on MLTnews beginning at 7:05 p.m. each night.

Mountlake Terrace quarter scoring:    11 – 10 – 16 – 21 — 58
Stanwood quarter scoring:                    15 – 17 –   6 – 14 — 52

Mountlake Terrace individual scoring: Greg Bowman 17; Marquis Armstead 17; Blake Fernandez 14; Jesse Zerom 7; Loren Lacasse 3; Michael Lotz; LeTrae Sarden; Yohans Tewolde
Stanwood individual scoring: Josh Thayer 16; Cannen Roberson 13; Drew Sears 7; Drew Stang 6; Kurtis Hughasen 6; Mason Garcea 4; Brady Garcea; Ian Zipp