The Bothell High School boys basketball team lost twice this year to Garfield and looked forward to their first-round matchup with the Bulldogs for retribution. But a slow third quarter cost the Cougars a chance to play for the state title, losing 62-50 at the Tacoma Dome.

“All fairy tales come to an end,” said Bothell senior Zach LaVine, who led the team with 16 points. “But we still have to play hard because we have more to play for.”

Both teams played strong defense to begin the game, combining for just 21 first-quarter points. But Bothell junior Josh Martin got his team going with a monster rebound and dunk, punctuated with a scream, to finish the first quarter. That basket sparked an 11-1 run, as the team built a 19-14 lead.

The teams played basket-for-basket during the remainder of the half, as Bothell entered the locker room with a 30-26 lead.

The third quarter was more like a nightmare for Bothell, scoring just three points, all on free-throw shots.

“We just lacked the offense,” said LaVine. “We got the ball to the wrong people and needed to play a lot harder.”

Despite the dismal offense the Cougars were still in the game, trailing by just six points entering the fourth quarter.

But Bothell continued to struggle from the floor, hitting just 6-of-22 shots during the second half.

LaVine tried to wake his teammates, throwing down a vicious dunk with two minutes remaining for his final basket.

The loss sends the Cougars to the consolation bracket of the tournament with a game at 9 a.m. on Friday at the Tacoma Dome against Newport.