The Lummi Nation boys basketball team was hoping for a different outcome, but while the Blackhawks came closer this time, they still couldn’t beat Mossyrock and lost, 67-64, in the “round of 12” at the Class 1B state tournament in Spokane on Wednesday, March 1.
This time, unfortunately, the loss ended the Blackhawks’ season at 19-9. One of those nine losses came in late December when Lummi Nation lost to Mossyrock, 63-51.
And at first, it looked like it would be another double-digit defeat as the 11th-seeded Vikings (20-6) exploded for 25 points in the first quarter and held a comfortable 13-point halftime lead over sixth seed Lummi Nation.
But the never-give-up Blackhawks made it uncomfortable in the second half. They cut the margin to six in the third quarter and then put up 25 points of their own in the fourth to close the gap to a one-possession game.
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Unfortunately, the Vikings got to shoot 23 free throws in the second half, making 13 of them, and holding off Lummi Nation. It didn’t help that the Blackhawks missed nine free throws of their own, all in the second half.
“The boys played hard,” said Lummi Nation coach Jerome Toby. “We got down early in the first quarter and came up short tonight. But we battled to the end.”
Freshman Jerome Toby Jr. led the Lummi comeback with 32 points and seven 3-pointers, and despite being one of the smallest players on the floor at 5-foot-7, the point guard pulled down 6 rebounds.
Senior Richard Wilson was the only other Blackhawk in double figures, scoring 10 points and also grabbing 6 rebounds. Sophomore Tony Abrams, who missed most of the season with an injury, had 7 points.
Playing their last game for Lummi Nation were four seniors — Wilson, Payton Scott, Frank Solomon, and captain Peyton Brockie.
Mossyrock 67, Lummi Nation 64
Mossyrock 25 13 7 22—67
Lummi Nation 14 11 14 25—64
Mossyrock: Luke Cooper, Keegan Kolb 25, Easton Kolb 7, Matt Cooper 4, Ethan Johnson, Zackary Munoz 28, Tyce Vigre, Will Cushman, Cooper Young 2, Hunter Isom 1.
Lummi Nation: Jerome Toby 32, Raymond Perkins 3, Tobias Francis 2, Mathias Johnson 7, Landon Day, Tony Abrams, Dyson Edwards 2, Richard Wilson 10, Payton Scott 4, Desmond Bailey 4, Frank Solomon.
CLASS 1B STATE TOURNAMENT
At Spokane Arena
Wednesday, March 1
First round
#11 Mossyrock 67, #6 Lummi Nation 64 (loser out)
#7 Cusick 56, #10 Mount Vernon Christian 50 (loser out)
#5 Moses Lake Christian/Covenant Christian 58, #12 Sound Christian Academy 54 (loser out)
#16 Orcas Island 72, #8 Oakville 43 (loser out)
Thursday, March 2
Quarterfinals
#4 Willapa Valley (19-5) vs. Mossyrock (20-6), 3:45 p.m.
#1 Wellpinit (23-1) vs. Cusick (20-5), 5:30 p.m.
#3 DeSales (22-2) vs. Moses Lake Christian/Covenant Christian (19-4), 7:15 p.m.
#2 Sunnyside Christian (20-4) vs. Orcas Island (22-9), 9 p.m.
Friday, March 3
Consolation game, 12:15 p.m. (loser out)
Consolation game, 2 p.m. (loser out)
Semifinal, 7:15 p.m.
Semifinal, 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 4
Consolation game, 9:30 a.m. (winner fourth, loser sixth)
Consolation final, 1 p.m. (winner third, loser fifth)
Championship game, 5 p.m. (winner first, loser second)
