The Lummi Nation boys basketball team saw its lead evaporate in the fourth quarter, but the Blackhawks wouldn’t be denied as they defeated Muckleshoot Tribal School, 62-50, in the regional round of the Class 1B state tournament Saturday night, Feb. 29, at Mount Vernon High School.
With the win Saturday, third-seed Lummi Nation will get a bye into the quarterfinals of the state tournament in the Spokane Arena. The Blackhawks will play on Thursday, March 5, at 12:15 p.m. against the winner of Wednesday’s game between the Selkirk and the Riverside Christian.
After owning a double-digit lead Saturday, the Blackhawks saw sixth-seed Muckleshoot Tribal School rally to tie the game at the start of the fourth quarter, 38-38.
But in this rematch of their Tri-District 1/2/3 title game, which Lummi Nation also won, the Blackhawks (23-3) never let the Kings (19-7) take the lead.
Sophomore forward Tyran Lane hit back-to-back shots in the paint, and junior guard William Hetland sank a pair of 3-pointers to propel Lummi Nation back into the lead and on to the quarterfinals.
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“I was proud of the boys to be able to withstand their (the Kings’) run,” said Lummi Nation coach Jerome Toby. “And when they (the Kings) tied it up, our boys did a good job of staying calm. We were able to find a rhythm and my big kid delivered for us in the fourth quarter.”
The “big kid” is 6-foot-5 Lane. And “delivered” might be an understatement. With 15 of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter, Lane dominated inside in the final eight minutes of the game.
“It took awhile for our guards to find him on the block, but once they did, he did a good job of converting for us,” Toby said.
Lane said his main focus during the game was simple: “(I) play every game like it’s my last. Win and move on.”
Lane wasn’t the only one putting up points for the Blackhawks. Hetland had 16 points, including four 3-pointers, and senior guard Caleb Revey added 15.
“William Hetland, I’m proud of him,” said Toby said. “He’s been in a shooting funk, but I told him, ‘Hey, you’ve worked hard all season; just come out and shoot with confidence.’ And he stepped up. We needed all of his points tonight to beat Muckleshoot.”
Now the Blackhawks, who have won 19 of their last 20 games, return to Spokane for the 1B state tournament, this time alongside the Lady Blackhawks, who will be playing Wednesday in the Arena.
“Going to Spokane, we’re excited to be back,” Toby said. “We’ll have a good practice on Monday, roll out Tuesday, and get over to the next game.”
For Revey, the lone senior starter, there’s only one thing on his mind heading to Spokane.
“I’m just focused on trying to get that championship ring,” Revey said.
Lummi Nation 62, Muckleshoot Tribal School 50
Muckleshoot Tribal School 7 11 17 15—50
Lummi Nation 13 14 11 24—62
Muckleshoot Tribal School: Martin Reyes, Brendon Brown 12, John Starr, Tyrell Nichols 2, Josiah Vaomn 2, Jaden James, Lamont Nichols 13, Jordan Mathias 11, Carlos Bennett 10.
Lummi Nation: Franklin Whiteman, Caleb Revey 15, William Hetland 16, Duncan Toby 5, Richard Wilson, Jaie Leighton 5, Tyran Lane 21, Moses Seymour, Patrick Sturgeon.
CLASS 1B BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT
Regional round
Friday, Feb. 28
Yakama Nation Tribal 71, Rainier Christian 61
Taholah 68, Mount Vernon Christian 58 (loser out)
Almira-Coulee-Hartline 55, Sunnyside Christian 51 (loser out)
Saturday, Feb. 29
Odessa 65, Oakesdale 32
Nacelle 65, Riverside Christian 48
Garfield-Palouse 79, Chief Kitsap Academy 51 (loser out)
Selkirk 64, Tacoma Baptist 46 (loser out)
Lummi Nation 62, Muckleshoot Tribal School 50
