The Lummi Nation boys basketball team wanted its final game of the season to be a good one not just for themselves but for their whole community.
Mission accomplished.
The Blackhawks beat Moses Lake Christian/Covenant Christian, 53-45, in their Class 1B state tournament finale on Saturday, March 5, and with the victory will bring home a fourth-place trophy for the whole Lummi Nation.
The victory completed an 18-4 season that included Northwest 1B League and District 1 championships and a third-place finish in the District 1/2/3 tournament. Lummi Nation’s only losses were to Nooksack Valley, a playoff team two classifications bigger, and the top three Class 1B teams.
Be sure to visit WhatcomHoops.com for stories and photos from the other state games.
“It was great to get a full season in with the Blackhawks,” said Lummi Nation coach Jerome Toby, whose team earned the school’s sixth state trophy. “What a great group of boys.”
On Saturday, the seventh-seeded Blackhawks used a big second half to defeat the sixth-seeded Lions, who finished their season at 23-4 and took sixth place.
Tied at 23-23 at intermission, the Blackhawks put together a 20-point third quarter to take a double-digit lead and then held off the Lions the rest of the way.
It was not a typical Lummi game. The Blackhawks committed more turnovers, 22-14; and made five fewer 3-pointers. But they also outrebounded the Lions, 33-26, and with the pressure on, sank all nine of their free throws.
As he has all season, senior post Tyran Lane led the Blackhawks. The four-year starter ended his stellar high school career with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Earlier this year, he joined the exclusive 1,000-point club for career scoring.
Fellow senior Duncan Toby, another four-year starter, finished his career with another outstanding all-around performance: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 8 steals.
Mathias Johnson added 5 points on Saturday and along with freshman Tony Abrams had 5 rebounds. Eighth-grader Jerome Toby Jr. had 4 assists.
Coach Toby said he will miss the senior group: Lane, Duncan Toby, Adam Bello, and James Jones.
“Tyran was a pleasure to coach, ‘AB’ was our team inspiration who was always positive and the best teammate, and James showed up every day and worked hard during his time with the Blackhawks,” said the coach.
“And being able to coach my son was special for our family. He was a great floor leader and the best big bro.”
Lummi Nation 53, Moses Lake Christian 45
Lummi Nation 12 11 20 10—53
Moses Lake Christian 7 16 11 11—45
Lummi Nation: Jerome Toby 2, Tobias Francis 2, Duncan Toby 14, Desmond Bailey 4, Richard Wilson, Tony Abrams 4, Tyran Lane 22, Mathias Johnson 5, Adam Bello, James Williams, Frank Solomon, Peyton Brockie.
Moses Lake Christian: Jeff Boorman 3, Jacob Robertson 5, Pierre Boorman 22, Jonah Robertson 11, Michael Podlyn, Kenzy Boorman, David Chavez 2, Caleb Jones 2.
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
Northwest Yeshiva 50, Willapa Valley 40
Almira-Coulee-Hartline 52, Lummi Nation 44
Sunnyside Christian 39, Moses Lake Christian/Covenant Christian 36
Cusick (20-1) vs. DeSales (20-5), 2 p.m.
FRIDAY, MARCH 4
Lummi Nation 65, Willapa Valley 59 (loser out)
Moses Lake Christian/Covenant Christian 55, DeSales 41 (loser out)
Almira-Coulee-Hartline 52, Northwest Yeshiva 43
Cusick 59, Sunnyside Christian 48
SATURDAY, MARCH 5
Lummi Nation 53, Moses Lake Christian/Covenant Christian 45 (winner fourth, loser sixth)
Sunnyside Christian vs. Northwest Yeshiva (winner third, loser fifth)
Almira-Coulee-Hartline vs. Cusick (winner first, loser second)
