tflagstad@journalnet.com

Throughout the Pocatello boys' basketball team's 47-35 win over Century on Monday night at Century, it was obvious the two in-city rivals were playing each other for the fourth time this season.

When Diamondbacks' leading scorer Storm Shelley would curl off double screens, an Indian defender would be standing right in his path to prevent an open shot or a lane to the basket.

When Pocatello tried to work the ball around the perimeter and then into the post against a variety of Century zone defenses, the Indians' entry passes often ended up in the hands of a Diamondback who appeared to know right where his foe was going to look.

"It's a grudge match," said Century coach Cody Shelley. "It turns into a half-court game of who can rebound it and shoot it best."

For 30 minutes, the teams played to a stalemate, and the biggest lead was a 21-14 Century advantage two possessions into the second half.

That all changed with two minutes remaining when Pocatello senior Michael Decker drilled a 3-pointer from the right baseline to give the Indians a 36-35 lead, its first since early in the second quarter.

The basket proved to be the turning point, as Pocatello ended the game on a 14-0 run to force another game at 8 p.m. tonight at Pocatello High to determine the 4A Fifth District champion. It was the Indians' first win over the Diamondbacks in four tries this season.

"It means a lot," said Decker. "We didn't want to go all season without beating 'em."

Thanks in large part to Decker and fellow senior Shae Andrews, the Indians won't have to.

Decker scored 17 points in the game, including eight in the final frame, while Andrews led the team with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

"It really comes down to who wants it and who comes with the fire," Andrews said of playing such a familiar opponent.

Decker's late trey provided Pocatello with all the spark it needed. Following the shot, Century's Koby Campbell missed a pull-up jumper, and Indians senior Colter Morton calmly sank two bonus free throws to put his team up 38-35.

After a Campbell 3-pointer went halfway down before coming out, Pocatello's Zac Korell broke down the Diamondbacks' aggressive defense and found Andrews wide open underneath for a layup to make it 40-35.

Century couldn't recover.

"It's OK if you come back and score," coach Shelley said of Decker's momentum-shifting 3. "But if you don't score, and they come down and score again, that's when the momentum really changes."

While Decker and Andrews took over for the Indians, the Diamondbacks' top players couldn't get going.

Thanks in large part to a hounding Pocatello defense starring Korell and seniors Ryan Pearson and Brendon Johnson, Century's starting senior backcourt of Campbell, Storm Shelley and Caz Alley finished with only 13 points on a combined 5-of-25 shooting.

"We're gonna lose tomorrow if our guards don't score more than whatever it was combined," coach Shelley said. "Give Poky credit. They played good defense."

With the perimeter players struggling, senior post Keifer Klauser kept the Diamondbacks in the game by scoring 17 points, but it wasn't enough.

So as it did a year ago, the district title and the guaranteed trip to state the accompanies it will be decided at Pocatello's gym after a dramatic Indians' win in Century's home the night before.

Pocatello will enter the game with an 11-13 mark, while the Diamondbacks, who are looking for their ninth straight state tournament appearance, are now 14-8. It'll be the third meeting in six days between the teams and the fifth overall this year.

"We've gone toe to toe four times now," said Pocatello coach Lee Ralphs. "They got us the first three times, and we feel fortunate to get this one. Hopefully we can do it again tomorrow."

Pocatello 47, Century 35

Pocatello 5 9 11 22 - 47

Century 5 11 11 8 - 35

Pocatello: Brendon Johnson 1 0-0 2, Zac Korell 1 0-0 2, Colter Morton 1 4-4 6, Ryan Pearson 1 0-0 2, Jason Matson 0 0-0 0, Mckaid Sheppard 0 0-0 0, Johnathan Hancock 0 0-0, Michael Decker 7 1-2 17, Shae Andrews 7 4-8 18.

Century: Storm Shelley 2 0-0 4, Drew Rufferidge 0 0-0 0, Caz Alley 0 2-4 2, Nate Wall 2 1-2 5, Keifer Klauser 6 4-4 17, Rhys Borchert 0 0-0 0, Koby Campbell 3 1-2 7, Tim O'Brien 0 0-0 0, Tyler Zellmer 0 0-0 0.