The Auburn Mountainview Lions, the No. 1 seed in the boys basketball Class 3A West Central District Tournament, were put to the test against Gig Harbor, the 12th seed.

The Tides looked like they were on their way to a third straight upset of the tournament. But Sebastian Arius stole their glory when he delivered a three-point play to earn a 67-66 victory.

“Everything we had as a team, went into the win. We were down, but we never gave up. That’s what I love about this team, no matter what the situation is, we never give up,” Arius said.

Auburn Mountainview needed to overcome a 10-point deficit with five minutes to go in the fourth quarter to keep its district championship hopes alive. Head Coach Kendall White did what he had done all season, and trusted his senior to will his team back into the game and he did just that.

“I reminded Bash he was Bash in the time out. I reminded him to refocus, and he got it going,” White said.

“It was a testament to his growth and his work ethic. He put himself in that position, he asked for the ball. He demanded it. At the end there, that was the most calm, I’ve ever seen him in his four years here.”

With 20 seconds left down 66-64, Arius had achieved an almost perfect comeback, but it was going to get even sweeter. Arius waited just across the midcourt line and with 12 seconds darted to the hoop and lifted the ball in his left hand and the ball bounced off the glass and in for the tie. In the process he was fouled by Gig Harbor big man, Michael Massini giving him a free throw opportunity to take the lead and he did.

“After the game I just wanted to cry, I gave it my all. It was a lot, we came a long way,” Arius said

The entire game for the Lions was an uphill battle, they’ll be the first to say that. Despite leading at the end of the first quarter, 22-21, but needing to play perfect basketball because the Tides were not to be stopped early.

“That was probably the worst I had seen us play man defense all year. We were just lackadaisical,” said White.

In the second quarter the two sides were tied at 25-25 before the Tides went on a 13-8 run to close out the quarter and really put the Lions behind the eight ball. Massini was getting loads of rebounds and the Lion offense was just bland with a lot of shots that were settled on. The initiative and energy was gone from White’s squad in the second quarter.

Even in the third quarter, apart from Kolven Posey finding some daylight near the basket, there just wasn’t the execution that the Lions were used to on the offensive end. Heading to the fourth quarter, Auburn Mountainview trailed 58-47.

In the fourth quarter, the Tides led by as many as 12 points, but the comeback started when Arius linked up with fellow senior Lucas McClendon down 61-51 with 5:03 left in the game.

“You can do a lot in eight minutes, that’s what we started the fourth quarter saying. We were frustrated, but we just couldn’t give up. Good things happen when you don’t give up,” Arius said.

McClendon hit a three and a lay-up to put a dent in the Tide lead, when the score was 61-54, the vibe in the gym changed. Arius made back-to-back three pointers and the comeback was on.

Beckett Jones got involved getting to the free-throw line, and soon enough the Lions were one possession down with the ball in Arius’ hands with the clock winding down.

The Lion’s imposed their will with a full-court press in the fourth quarter as well. In the final three minutes, Gig Harbor struggled not only to score but to even get the ball across the midcourt line.

After Arius made the game tying lay-up and game winning free throw, the Tides had 8 seconds to score. In that 8 seconds they didn’t even get a shot attempt off. Even after a win, White still has things he wants to work on.

“It’s not that sweet, I’m not going to lie. I’m a little angry about the fact that we had to fight back. The perfectionist in me is pissed off. But the best part was seeing Bash’s face when he hit the shot and when we won the game,” White said.

Auburn Mountainview will be playing for a district championship against Lincoln at Mount Tahoma on Feb. 22. The Lions first chance at a district title since 2016 when they beat Enumclaw.

Just the opportunity is special for White in his time as coach of the Lions.

“Any accomplishment means a lot to me. But obviously our goal is to get to the dome and focus on the big dream this whole time,” he said.

A trip to Tacoma has escaped the Lions in their two previous state playoff runs as the Lions boys have never stepped foot inside the Tacoma Dome.

Sebastian Arius leaps and blocks a Gig Harbor shot. Photo provided by Maria Dorsten