Not looking for style points, just wins - and No. 2 Curtis plods past Davis, 62-55

TACOMA - State playoff basketball contenders come in all shapes, sizes - and styles.

And second-seeded Curtis High School experienced that Saturday in its Class 4A regional-round encounter with CBBN champion Davis.

Led by Zoom Diallo's 21 points, the Vikings earned a 62-55 victory at Foss High School.

Now on an 18-game winning streak, Curtis will have to wait an extra day to get its state tournament going next week in the Tacoma Dome. It has a bye into the 4A quarterfinals Thursday, awaiting the Gonzaga Prep-Federal Way winner.

But as much as the Vikings were in control Saturday, they never were in the clear. The Pirates are bouncy, twitchy, handsy - and very athletic.

"They are going to take chances," Curtis boys coach Tim Kelly said.

Curtis started the second half on a 13-2 run, extending to a 42-29 at the 4:14 mark of the third quarter.

But Davis big man Dhantaye Bennett-Joe (game-high 22 points) never let the lead grow bigger, getting inside buckets - and drawing a ton of fouls.

Play then got sloppy - on both ends. But Curtis was able to maintain its double-digit lead up to the final 29 seconds.

"It was a test for us going into the state tournament, and prepared us a lot," Diallo said. "They outplayed us hard, but we found a way to fight."