BY GERARDO BOLONG
Contributing Writer
High octane optimism runs strongly for this season's Highline High School boys basketball season.
Following an 86-66 SPSL 2A slicing up of the visiting Tyee Totems on Tues., Jan. 15, HHS head coach Shane Stenesen explained.
"Tonight was about getting off to a good start," he said. "Our half court trap created opportunities early, but we didn't close out the half."
The Pirates (11-3 overall, 8-1 second place SPSL 2A Sound division) attacked the many openings in the Totem defense to reach the rim for easy lay ups and 3-point plays quickly, also abetted by a ball-stealing defense.
Behind the close-range 14 points of Nick Hovland, Highline broke from a 6-6 tie to lead 19-6 before traveling to the second quarter with a 21-9 clearance.
Continuing the direct access to the basket, the Pirates continued to plunder for a 35-18 domination midway through the second quarter.
Behind the hustling presence of Muhammed Sesay and some excellent work by Devonte Brooks, Tyee closed its deficit to 42-32 by halftime despite converting only 6 of 14 free throws in the second quarter.
"They just outworked us," continued Stenesen. "No. 21 (Sesay) was the example I pointed out to our players about working hard all the time."
Without changing strategy, according to Stenesen, Highline just gave more effort in the third quarter.
"It was like we flipped the script. Our third quarter for their second quarter," added Stenesen.
HHS returned to destroying the Tyee defense for lay ups as it built up the lead to 48-34 and kept the wind in its sails to gain a 67-40 third quarter lead.
The Pirate control was never less than 20 points for the duration, although the no quit Sesay scored 20 second half points on the way to a game-high 37 points for Tyee.
Having to deal with a shuffled line up to a high influx of junior varsity players playing varsity, the Totem defense had trouble guarding inside moves by the Pirates.
"The defense leaked and couldn't stop the lay ups," Tyee head coach Rodney McCurry said.
The Highline viewpoint was encouraging.
"We've had a few bumps, bruises and ankle injuries," concluded Stenesen. "We brought two players up from junior varsity and Malakai Carter is going to stay. For the last seven games, David Perkins has been great for us in the rebounding as a do everything player. Our best game was a five-point loss to (undefeated first place Renton, 66-61). we have two big games coming up with Clover Park because our first game against them was cancelled. We'll be playing the top portion of our division. I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Aiding the future Pirate efforts is the soon expected return of senior forward Jack Burcham following five games of recovering from injury.
Hovland scored 20 points to lead five Highline athletes in double figures scoring. Perkins followed at 18 and Carter added 12. Junior guard Gerald Hood posted 11 points and Sam Assefa contributed 10.
On Fri., Jan. 19, Highline travels to Clover Park for a 7 p.m. tip off. On the same night, Tyee (3-12, 1-9) travels to Renton (13-2, 10-0).
