Undefeated Panthers Outlast Sumner in Electric Rivalry Thriller

Cole Seminara - 13 points Photo credit: Izumi Jorden "Zi" Taijeron @ijctmedia

Thursday night at Bonney Lake High School delivered everything a rivalry game should, and then some.

Undefeated at 11–0, sitting atop the league standings, fresh off a tournament title in Tacoma as T-Town Showdown champions, and ranked 37th in Washington State, the Bonney Lake Panthers welcomed down-the-hill rivals Sumner for a showdown that felt closer to postseason basketball than a midseason league game.

Sumner entered the night 7–4 overall and third in the district, and both communities showed up in full force. The packed gym was one of the largest crowds Bonney Lake has seen for a boys basketball game, with both student sections loud, engaged, and relentless from start to finish.

Robert Mosley IV - 12 points

The opening quarter reflected the magnitude of the moment. Both teams started cautiously, trading baskets and defensive stops as nerves and adrenaline mixed early. Sumner’s top scorer, Jerius Isabell, made his presence felt immediately, pouring in seven of the Spartans’ first 12 points and showing why he finished the night with 19 points. Early on, it was clear he would be a problem.

But the Panthers had answers.

Cole Seminara kept Bonney Lake steady offensively, attacking inside and carrying the load early on his way to a team-high 13 points. Defensively, the Panthers adjusted, staying physical and limiting Isabell’s clean looks as the quarter wore on. As the horn approached, Sumner briefly edged ahead 12–11, but Robert Mosley IV flipped the momentum in an instant, drilling a buzzer-beating three-pointer that ignited the home crowd and sent the Panthers into the second quarter with a 14–12 lead.

Jace Andino - 8 points

The second quarter remained physical and intense. Seminara continued to do damage in the paint, while Mosley struck again from beyond the arc to keep Bonney Lake within striking distance. Sumner found a rhythm offensively and pulled ahead midway through the quarter, building a 26–23 lead. At halftime, the Spartans held a narrow 26–24 advantage as the noise inside the gym only continued to build.

Bonney Lake answered in the third.

The Panthers quickly evened the score at 30, and Keenan Perry began to heat up, knocking down timely shots and finishing with six points. Mosley caught absolute fire, burying two three-pointers in the quarter and finishing a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the arc, part of his 12-point performance. Fueled by defensive pressure and clutch shooting, Bonney Lake surged ahead to take a 40–36 lead into the fourth, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

The final quarter was everything a rivalry deserves.

Eli Davis - 6 points

Fast-paced play, physical defense, and no easy possessions defined the closing minutes. Bonney Lake slowly created separation, stretching the lead to 43–39. Jace Andino contributed eight points, while Eli Davis added six, helping steady the Panthers as Sumner continued to push. Isabell remained a presence offensively, but Bonney Lake’s defense tightened when it mattered most.

With just over three minutes remaining, the Panthers clung to a slim 48–45 lead.

In the final seconds, Sumner had one last look to tie, but the shot fell short. As the buzzer sounded, Bonney Lake secured a dramatic 50–47 victory, and the home crowd rushed the court in celebration.

With the win, the Panthers remain undefeated at 12–0, firmly in control of the division and proving once again that they can rise to the moment when the stage is biggest.

Bonney Lake won’t have long to celebrate, as the Panthers are back in action Saturday night on the road, traveling to face second-place Puyallup Vikings in a key league matchup, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.

Box Score – Bonney Lake vs. Sumner

• Cole Seminara – 13 points

• Robert Mosley IV – 12 points

• Jace Andino – 8 points

• Keenan Perry – 6 points

• Eli Davis – 6 points

• Quinton Sagiao – 4 points

• Jayden Barrett – 1 point