The Lummi Nation boys basketball team is taking advantage of its second chance in Spokane and it came at the expense of a nearby foe.
The Blackhawks traveled 360 miles to the Class 1B state tournament to overpower Mount Vernon Christian, 69-27, on Wednesday, March 2, in the Spokane Arena.
The victory in the opening-round, loser-out game, moves Lummi Nation into the quarterfinals to play top-seed Almira-Coulee-Hartline on Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
“It’s going to be a tough game for the Blackhawks,” said Lummi Nation coach Jerome Toby, whose seventh-seeded team improved to 16-3. “We’ll have to be ready to play the No.1 team in the state.”
But before the Blackhawks look ahead to the 18-3 Warriors, let them enjoy Wednesday’s victory, which came four days after Lummi Nation lost a state regional contest to No.2 Cusick in Spokane.
“It was a great win today versus a tough Mount Vernon Christian team,” said Toby. “Every Blackhawk contributed in our win today.”
As always, when Lummi Nation plays team ball, it starts with team defense. The quick-handed Blackhawks had 23 steals, caused 28 turnovers and, by keeping the Hurricanes under eight points in each of the final three quarters, held them to their lowest points total of the season.
On offense, it was the youngest Blackhawk who led them in scoring. Eighth-grader Jerome Toby Jr. collected a game-high 20 points and grabbed five steals for good measure.
And Lummi’s dynamic senior duo did their part. Post Tyran Lane, who was just named the SB Live state player of the week for Feb. 14-20, had 18 points and 7 rebounds. And point guard Duncan Toby had his usual outstanding all-around game with 14 points, 5 assists, and 6 steals. Both of them hit seven of nine shots from the field.
Lummi Nation had beaten the Hurricanes, 67-57, in district play and another close one seemed in store when the Blackhawks only led by six after the first quarter.
But a 26-5 barrage in the second quarter blew the game open and ended Mount Vernon Christian’s season at 17-7.
Lummi Nation 69, Mount Vernon Christian 27
Mount Vernon Christian 10 5 7 5—27
Lummi Nation 16 26 15 12—69
Mount Vernon Christian: Julian Pedrosa 6, Colby Faber, Ben Rozema 3, Dante Brunk, Xander Hoksbergen, Tiger Brunk 2, Matt Wyatt 5, Billy DeJong, Nick Wyatt 4, Lucas Bieghler, Owen Heinze 3, Liam Millenaar 4.
Lummi Nation: Jerome Toby 20, Tobias Francis 3, Duncan Toby 14, Desmond Bailey 2, Richard Wilson 3, Tony Abrams 3, Tyran Lane 18, Mathias Johnson 4, Adam Bello, James Williams 2, Frank Solomon, Peyton Brockie.
Class 1B state tournament
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2
Northwest Yeshiva 60, Naselle 48 (loser out)
Lummi Nation 69, Mount Vernon Christian 27 (loser out)
Sunnyside Christian 59, Crosspoint 49 (loser out)
DeSales 75, Wellpinit 53 (loser out)
THURSDAY, MARCH 3
Willapa Valley (20-3) vs. Northwest Yeshiva (17-3), 9 a.m.
Almira-Coulee-Hartline (18-3) vs. Lummi Nation (16-3), 10:30 a.m.
Moses Lake Christian/Covenant Christian (22-2) vs. Sunnyside Christian (18-6), 12:15 p.m.
Cusick (20-1) vs. DeSales (20-5), 2 p.m.
FRIDAY, MARCH 4
Consolation game, 9 a.m. (loser out)
Consolation game, 10:30 a.m. (loser out)
Semifinal, 3:45 p.m.
Semifinal, 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, MARCH 5
Consolation game, 8 a.m. (winner fourth, loser sixth)
Consolation final, 11:15 a.m. (winner third, loser fifth)
Championship final, 7 p.m. (winner first, loser second)
