By ERICK WALKER

The Reporter

Gary Bell wasn’t about to let the Kentridge boys basketball team slip any further down in the South Puget Sound League North Division standings on Saturday night.

Bell, a sharpshooting sophomore, lit up Kentwood for 26 points, leading the tenth-ranked Chargers past the second-ranked Conquerors 67-58 in a pivotal showdown between two North Division heavyweights.

Bell saved his best for last, scoring 16 of his points in the second half.

“Gary hit some big shots but it was a team effort,” said Kentridge coach Dave Jamison.

Dylan Zylstra chipped in 16 for the Chargers and Laron Daniels added 11.

The win helped Kentridge (9-3, 10-6) move into a two-way tie with Auburn (9-3, 11-3) for third place in the North Division. It also bumped Kentwood (9-2, 11-4) into a two-way tie with Federal Way (9-2, 13-2) for first place.

The loss ended Kentwood’s eight game winning streak. It also sets the stage for Friday night 7 p.m. matchup between Kentwood and Kentridge in the Kent Shootout at the ShoWare Center.

“Friday’s game should be a battle,” Jamison said. “They will have revenge on their mind for sure.

Kentwood’s Joshua Smith led all scorers with 29 points. Tre Tyler added 15 for the Conquerors.

The top five teams from the North advance to the postseason. Federal Way, Kentwood, Auburn and Kentridge already have clinched berths.

• Kentlake 67, Auburn 64: The Falcons (4-7, 6-8) remained alive for the fifth-and-final playoff berth from the North on Friday with a key win over Auburn (9-3, 11-3). Jeff Budinich led the way for the Falcons, pouring in a game-high 23 points. Jeff Gouveia led the Trojans with 20 points while Jay Payne added 17.

• Jefferson 49, Tahoma 46:The Bears (0-11, 0-15) were unable to hold off a late surge from the Raiders (5-7, 6-8) in a North Division loss. Christian Behrens led Tahoma with 17 points and Taylor Summerhays shipped in 10. Justin Lanier paced TJ with 11 points.

• Auburn Riverside 82, Kent-Meridian 68: The Ravens (6-6, 9-7) remained in the lead for the North Division’s No. 5 seed to the playoffs with a win over the Royals (1-11, 1-13). Ryan Rogers continued to have the hot hand for AR, pumping in a game-high 29 points. Backcourt teammate Mitch Hagerty was nearly as impressive, scoring 18 points. Barento Ahmed led the Royals with 17 points while Marlowe Brim and Davonte Hoffman chipped in 15 points apiece.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

• Auburn Riverside 64, Kent-Meridian 31: Mercedes delivered a game-high 18 points, leading the Ravens (9-3, 8-5) past the Royals (1-10, 3-10). Nichole Jackson added 14 points for AR while Jelisa Pretz chipped in 10. Kent-Meridian was led by the 11 points of Melanie Vertrees.

• Thomas Jefferson 49, Tahoma 45:Hannah Kiyohara keyed the Raiders (8-3, 11-3) past the Bears (3-8, 5-10), scoring a game-high 16 points. Brittani Reiterman was the lone Tahoma player to reach double figures, pouring in 12 points.

• Federal Way 76, Kentridge 35: A slow start did in the Chargers (1-10, 2-13) en route to a North Division loss to the Eagles (8-3, 11-3). Federal Way outscored Kentridge 28-4 in the first eight minutes to cruise to the victory. Kelli Suguro led the Chargers with 13 points.