HS Boys Hoops: Curtis handles Bethel advances to Dist Tourney; Bison season is over

2/5/2026

Curtis 68, Bethel 51

(University Place, WA) In a big match-up crossing over from the SPSL 4A North and South divisions the Bethel Bison and Curtis Vikings got a jump on the play-offs in a winner to districts, loser their season is over game.

For the first 6 minutes of the 1st quarter neither team got ahead by more than 3 but in the final 2 minutes the Vikings exploded with a 8-0 run to put them up by 7 at the end of the 1st quarter, 19-12. Curtis’s Skylar Clement hit a pair of 3’s and had 8 points overall.

In the 2nd quarter, the Bison closed the gap with a 6-0 burst with a steal, a bucket, a steal, a bucket, a steal and another bucket. The Bison cut the lead to just 3. Malik Sidibe led the charge scoring 12 of his game high 21 in the 1st half.

Curtis countered punched and stormed back to extend their lead to a 9 point lead 35-26. Clement triggered that run with another pair of 3’s and had 14 at the break.

The Vikings came out hot in the 3rd and quickly pushed their lead to double digits and kept extending their lead. Noah Kaylor had a solid 1st half but tookover the game in the 2nd half finishing with 15 points and distributed the ball like crazy with sa total of 8 Vikings getting into the score book.

Clement finished with 16, Noah Kaylor had 15 after 7 in the 1st and Adam Kaylor also hit double digits with 10. Taylor Smith just missed double digits with 9 including a pair of hammering dunks, Will Torrone with 8 off the bench and 6 for big Kingston Kerkhoff.

Bethel had their season come to an end and Sidibe led all scorers with 21, Raymond Starling played hard and knockedd down 11 and Carmelo Mitchell-Drayton also hit twin figs with 10. The Bison finished the year 5-16.

Curtis is now 12-10 overall and advances to the 4A District 3/4 Tournament with a chance to get to the State Tournament.

Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP

The Sumner HIE MVP award went to Noah Kaylor for his performance through the whole game. Skylar Clement and Taylor Smith were also considered for their efforts. Had the Bison won, Malik Sibide would have been the choice.

Game Scoring
Curtis: Skylar Clement 16, Noah Kaylor 15, Adam Kaylor 10, Taylor Smith 9, Will Torrone 8, Kingston Kerkhoff 6, Roman Kerkhoff 2, John Mazwazwa 2
Bethel: Malik Sidibe 21, Raymond Starling 11, Carmelo Mitchell-Drayton 10, Anthony Sanchez-Whigham 5, Laurence Pineda 3, Jacques Pierre-Paul 2

Watch the full game replay by clicking this link to the NFHS Network (subscription required)

ESN Postgame Show