The M-P boys basketball team has a flair for the dramatic. Leading Wesco North foe Monroe, Friday, Dec. 22, on enemy turf, the Tommies made a 57-48 victory appear closer than the score may indicate.
M-P improved to 3-2 in league play and 6-2 overall while the scrappy Bearcats fell to 1-2, 1-3.
Lozeaus 22 points and Stohls 17 led all scorers before embarking on Christmas break.
I felt okay, but I think I couldve done better defensively, Lozeau said afterward.
The 6-foot-10 senior collected three quick fouls in the third quarter.
In the second half we kind of slowed down our game and I think we couldve come out better. They kind of caught us off guard a bit.
The game had a bit of a roller coaster feeling as the red and white clad Tomahawks jumped out to a 10-0 lead before Monroe responded with a 6-0 run of their own.
M-P turned up the offensive intensity and led 16-12 after one quarter of play.
Lozeau tallied the first four points of the second quarter and after a couple of Bearcat scores M-P led 22-16 with sophomore Ryan Lanpheres 2-for-2 free throw performance.
After a quick series of steals and hoops from Lozeau and Lanphere, M-P extended their lead to 26-16 before Monroe called a timeout with 1:49 before halftime.
Senior guard and forward Ricky Holm added a hoop and the Bearcats dropped in four more points as the Tommies took a 28-20 advantage into the locker room.
M-P stretched their lead to 11 points at 42-31 before Monroe mounted a rally that nearly tied the contest at 44-42 heading into the final quarter of play.
The Tommies went on a 7-4 run before Monroe cut the deficit to three at 51-48 with 1:37 remaining.
Stohl showed his strength not only at the free throw line, but also at exhibiting late game poise and scored the games final six points to ice the victory for the visiting Tomahawks.
Gould didnt hesitate to credit Monroe and their head coach Brett Wille for battling throughout the game.
You definitely have to give credit where credit is due and Brett and his crew have always been very well coached, Gould said.
He said it was difficult to scout the Bearcats to prepare for the contest due to a recent weather related cancellation.
The bottom line is that you have to prepare for them. It is a good feeling to win going into the Christmas break.
Gould pointed to the overall play of both Lozeau and Stohl as critical for the teams win.
Big Nate has been very effective for us and Jared is an incredible individual and player.

At Monroe H.S.
M-P 16 12 16 13 57
Monroe 12 8 22 6 48

M-P Holm 8, Stohl 17, Lanphere 2, Thomason 2, Moser 2, Stevens 2, Lozeau 22, Holthenrichs 2.
Monroe Ohlsen 2, Clark 2, Silva 10, Cornelius 4, J. Waltman 10, MacIntyre 12, S. Waltman 8. 3-point goals Stohl 1, Silva 1. Records M-P 3-2 in league play and 6-2 overall. Monroe 1-2, 1-3.

The M-P boys basketball team rebounded from their second Wesco North loss to defeat the Lake Stevens Vikings 58-43, Tuesday, Dec. 19, at the Jim Linden Fieldhouse.
Eastern Washington University-bound center Nathan Lozeau led al scorers with 25 points to improve M-Ps league record to 2-2 and 5-2 overall.
The Vikings fell to 0-2, 0-3 on the season.
The University of Portland-bound guard Jared Stohl poured in 20 points in the winning effort.
Second-year coach Bary Gould said his squad did okay in the first half before puling away for their second league victory.
The Bearcats junior varsity edged the Tommies JV 53-52 in a prelude of exciting varsity action.

At M-PHS
Lake Stevens 15 11 10 7 43
M-P 18 14 11 15 58

Lake Stevens Aker 3, Dvorak 14, Bryant 6, Carter 7, Legg 2, Steinruck 2, Pearson 5, Stickney 4. M-P Stohl 20, Lozeau 25, Holtenrichs 2, Thomason 2, Moser 3, Stevens 6. 3-point-goals Dvorak 3, Bryant 2, Carter 1, Stohl 2, Lozeau 3. Records Lake Stevens 0-2 in league play and 0-3 overall. M-P 2-2, 5-2.