With fifth-seeded Mt. Ararat refusing to go away in a Class A South boys’ basketball quarterfinal against No. 4 Brunswick, Jesse Devereaux took matters into his own hands.

The junior guard knocked down 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions early in the fourth quarter, then added a steal and an assist in transition as Brunswick finally pulled away for a 61-52 win Friday night at the Portland Expo.

“Jesse’s got a huge heart, and that’s the second or third time he’s really sparked us this year,” said Brunswick Coach Todd Hanson. “When he plays patiently and within himself, he can really make baskets and be a game changer.”

Brunswick’s quick outburst turned a six-point game into a 17-point lead.

“We were kind of getting back on our heels for a minute,” said Devereaux, whose 3-pointers were his only baskets of the game. “We started to play better defense and the guys got me some open looks. I had open looks that I missed in the first half – I think I missed four of them – so it was nice to have those shots go in.”

“When you are down and you’re still battling to get back, you have to give up a few things,” said Mt. Ararat Coach Stephen Cox. “He stepped up and hit them, take your hat off.”

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Brunswick (14-5) advances to play top-seeded Greely in the semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Cross Insurance Arena.

Mt. Ararat finished with an 11-8 record.

Brunswick dominated the first quarter, using eight turnovers to jump to a 14-1 lead as Caleb Cost scored six of his 21 points and grabbed five of his 11 rebounds.

“The biggest progress Caleb has made this year is toughness, and he got a boat load of stuff under the basket tonight,” said Hanson. “At the beginning of the year he was settling for jumpers, and now we get him going downhill and he attacks the rim.”

Mt. Ararat stormed back in the second quarter behind the hot hand of senior guard Shyheim Ulrickson (27 points) and the strong inside play of senior center Alex LaFountain (10 points, 9 rebounds). Ulrickson scored 11 points in the quarter, and LaFountain added seven to help the Eagles cut the deficit to 22-19.

The teams traded baskets throughout an up-tempo third quarter in which 10 players scored, with the Dragons holding a 38-31 at its conclusion. Ulrickson had seven points in the quarter, eclipsing 1,500 for his career. He eventually left the game to a standing ovation with 25 seconds remaining, ending his career with 1,512 points.

“That was the 10th time I’ve coached against Shy, because he’s been a starter since he was a freshman,” said Hanson. “We know that one guy can’t stop him. Shy’s a special one – he’s a class act, and all 10 games against us he’s played hard, and he’s played smart.”

Added Cox: “He’s one of the classiest individuals you’ll see playing the game of basketball in high school. He’s a great example for our program and he’s a great example for players across the state. I was really proud to be able to work with him.”

Thomas Hanson scored 10 points from Brunswick. Corban Teel chipped in with nine points and eight rebounds, and JD Souza added eight points.


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