Storm’s repeat complete
March 14, 2010 by Dave Thomas
Squalicum tops B-E behind Greene’s 24 ||
YAKIMA, Wash. — Squalicum’s victory Saturday could’ve been met with a no-kidding indifference, but this was no rubber-stamp coronation for the Class 2A pre-tournament favorites.
Needing to lean on every ounce of experience, and a (nearly) perfect Storm player, Squalicum managed to hold off a determined Burlington-Edison squad, winning 67-63 Saturday night in the SunDome.
“Nothing beats this feeling,” said senior Storm guard Derek Dickerson, the tournament MVP. “This is the way the seniors wanted to go out.”
Dickerson certainly left his mark, scoring nine of his 11 points in the second half, but it was senior forward Michael Green who had the biggest say in this victory.
The 6-foot-5 Green made 10 of 11 shots en route to a team-best 24 points. He scored 11 points in a 24-14 surge spanning the third and fourth quarters that allowed Squalicum to shake free from a 38-all tie.
“He’s a big, strong kid and a good finisher,” Burlington-Edison coach Rick Skeen said of Green, who also grabbed a game-best 11 rebounds.
Squalicum (26-1) becomes the first 2A team to win back-to-back state championships since Luke Ridnour’s Blaine teams in 1999 and 2000, although B-E could’ve just as easily been the team holding up the trophy.
“The kids fought hard and executed the game plan,” said Skeen, whose team lost in the title game for the third straight season and second straight time to Squalicum.
What the Tigers (22-5) did Saturday was all the more impressive considering they suffered a 27-point loss to the Storm just one week ago.
Evan Coulter led the way with 25 points and Colin Stewart added 16, but it was one dry spell early in the fourth that doomed B-E.
Down 49-47 after a Coulter free throw 34 seconds into the final period, the Tigers missed their next seven shots over a 4-minute span as Squalicum pushed the lead to 56-47.
“We’ve always had confidence in our offense,” Green said, “but when we get stops, were a dangerous team.”
The Tigers made one last run, getting within 62-59 with 22.9 seconds left, but the Storm made 5 of 6 free throws from there to close it out.
“Our motto this year was ‘Play hard and play as one,’” Dickerson said. “We stayed together and kept our poise.”
Filed under *State Tournaments*, All, Basketball (Boys)
