Wildcats make state first time since '70

By Dean Wong

West Seattle qualified for the Class 3A State Tournament in boys' basketball for the first time since 1970 with some big wins in Metro and the district playoffs.

Lead by head coach Bob Wilzen, the Wildcats finished third in the Metro Sound Division and were fourth at the Sea-King District Tournament.

Every coach wants to go out on top and making it to state completes Wilzen's seven years at West Seattle. Wilzen is retiring and the long time West Seattle resident says he bleeds "blue and gold."

West Seattle was 13 and 15 overall this season. The Wildcats beat Eastside Catholic, Ingraham and O'Dea to advance past the Metro playoffs. O'Dea was the defending state champion and the Wildcats sent them packing and out of contention for state.

The team went 2 and 2 at District, defeating Bellevue and Cleveland. They lost to Seattle Prep and 3A powerhouse Rainier Beach. It was their second loss to the Vikings.

West Seattle was matched up with 23 and 1 Squalicum in the first state tournament game and lost 74-43. The loss knocked them out of the championship bracket and into the consolation rounds.

In the second game, Auburn beat the Wildcats in a low scoring contest 34-21 to end West Seattle's tournament hopes. The combined score for both teams set a record. No teams had previously scored so few points in the 3A tournament.

Although Wilzen said his team had an "up and down" season, they came on strong towards the end.

The key to their late season success was working hard and playing team basketball according to senior Darnell Gross, one of the team's highflying athletes who can soar to the rim with ease.

"I'm really excited. Since my freshman year, I've wanted to see what it is like to go to state," said Gross.

During the last few years, the team has come close to a state qualification but fell short.

"We are a very emotional, fast team that plays with a lot of heart. We are playing pretty good basketball," said Wilzen.

Players have bought into the team concept of passing to the open man. Defensively they are helping each other on the court.

"The team has meshed more and more with the team versus individual concept," said assistant coach Dick Baker, whose son Eddie is on the roster.

The team has made great strides in Wilzen's last year. "They are playing like a team. Most have bought into their roles. We are getting 100 percent out of each of them," said Wilzen.

This year's top scorer was senior Macholm Love at 16.4 points. He was followed by: senior Keenan Allen, 10.5; T. J. Lee, 8.6; Dante Allen, 7.3; Jame Weber, 6.2; Gross, 5.8; Kenny Wheeler, 5.8; Eddie Baker, 3.4; and Brandon Brown, 2.1.

Dean Wong may be reached at 783.1244 or deanw@robininsonnews.com