Abes, Rams finish off fine seasons

Photo by rocky ross

AFFAIRS OF STATE.Lincoln players scramble for a loose ball.

Entering the 2010 State 4A basketball tournament the Lincoln Abes were riding a big wave of excitement. They were just coming off of one of the biggest wins in school history, a 21-point come-from-behind win against the defending 4A champs, the Federal Way Eagles.

They had held Federal Way to five points in the fourth quarter for a 59-56 win to claim their second West Central District title in three years and took a ton of momentum into Tacoma Dome.

Meanwhile, coming into the 16-team, four-day extravaganza at the Dome, the Wilson Rams were coming off of consecutive losses.

After winning their first two West Central games to clinch their first trip to state in 10 years, they dropped the next two.

But Rams coach Dave Alwert remained confident of his team’s chances going into the tournament.

“We’ve just got to get back to basics and play Ram basketball and start executing better on offense and we’ll be alright. This will be a very special and fun time for both the coaching staff and the kids.  Let’s see where this takes us.”

First up on opening day for the Abes was Walla Walla, which boasted what was regarded as the state’s best backcourt in Gary Winston and Michael Weisner.  

The pair combined for 34 points to lead Walla Walla to a 55-49 win.

Damani Coley led Lincoln with 11.

First up for Wilson was a long and athletic Lake Washington team.

The Rams sprinted out to an early lead and did not look back, as they cruised to a 57-33 win, behind the 20 points from Demetrius Smith and the 18 points from Mikey Hope.

On day two, with their backs against the wall, the Abes were up to the challenge as they defeated Lake Washington by a score of 68-57 to stay alive in the tournament.

Jordan Russell, the Narrows League Bridge Division player of the year, led Lincoln with 19 points.

“We felt we could take it to their bigs,” Abe coach Aubrey Shelton said.

“Jordan Russell is our leader and just a great player as he has been all year for us,” Shelton said.

Wilson picked up in the quarterfinals where they had left off.

Smith, Hope and Jibreel Stevens combined for 36 points, and the Rams held both Winston and Weisner under their per-game averages, as the Rams beat Walla Walla by a score of 52-44 to clinch a spot in the semifinals and assure themselves of going back to the North End with a trophy.

“I was really proud of the effort. They brought the energy on the defensive end when we had to,” Alwert said after the game.

“We’re one game away from the ultimate prize, and I can’t say enough about the efforts of Demetrius, Mikey and Jibreel both tonight and all season long.”

On day three, it ended almost as soon as it started for Lincoln, which could not contain Mead center Aaron Dunn. Russell scored 15 fourth-quarter points to try to rally the Abes, but the final was a 57-52 loss.

“Jordan was really good. He is the most underrated guard at this tournament,” Shelton said.

“I can’t say enough about the contributions of our seniors like Denzel Dansby, who was a part of our two district titles.He has been very unselfish, as have all of them.” In addition to Dansby, Ruben Killian-Horace, Carlos Anderson and Cardell Clay played their final games with the Abes.

“It’s been great for me,” said Dansby, as he reflected on his Lincoln career.

“Our coaches have been very supportive and they always keep tabs on you. I’ll miss the Lincoln experience and hope to go on and play at U.P.S. or another college next year.”

Wilson meanwhile shifted its focus to a very large problem in the semifinals. Joshua Smith, the 6-9, 280-pound center who is headed to U.C.L.A. next year, had to be dealt with.

Try as they might, there was no stopping the big man, as Kentwood ended Wilson’s title hopes, 57-44.

“We didn’t play with a real sense of urgency,” Alwert said. “We knew that they would extend their defense some and that Smith is more than a scorer. He’s also a great passer out of the low post.” Hope had 15 points to lead the Rams and Stevens had 14.

In the final game of the season to determine third place and sixth place, the Rams got a rematch with Federal Way.

Despite 17 points and great point-guard play from Stevens, Wilson’s season ended on a down note with a 53-44 loss.

The Rams took home the sixth-place trophy to put in their trophy case.

“I can’t say enough about the efforts of these kids all year. It has been a real grind but I’ll miss them as it’s been a great two-year run,” Alwert said. “Jibreel really carried us today and emerged as one of the best point guards in the state with his play this year.”

The Rams can look forward to next year.

“We went above our expectations by going to state this year, ” said Hope, who made the all-tournament team along with Lincoln’s Russell.

“I hope to play college ball next year somewhere and can leave Wilson knowing that we re-established the Wilson tradition.”

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