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SPORTS - LOPEZ ISLAND BOYS BASKETBALL |
Related StoriesLopez Island 2007-2008 Boys Basketball Schedule and Links to Stories and Photos | |
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Lopez boys earn 1st trip to state in thriller
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"It was a goal all year," said senior Barry Christopherson. "We lost to Lummi (in the semifinal) but third in Bi-District is OK. We're going to state." "This is great," said Jordan Smith, who scored 13 of his game-high 34 points in the fourth quarter. "To come back after losing to Lummi, a team we beat twice, shows our character," the senior said. "I'm so happy for our seniors, they have worked so hard, " Coach Brad Smith said. Sophomore Alex Buffum, son of former Lopez coaches Debbie Buffum and M.R. Buffum, has attended a state tournament all but one year. He's looking forward to participating and instead of watching this week. "It feels like it's time. It feels good, " he said. "We've been through a lot of hard stuff, " Buffum said, noting last year's squad came a win short of a state berth. "A lot of Lopez teams have come close." Lopezians were waving more than usual on the Friendly Isle Saturday evening as a fire engine escorted the team from the ferry landing through the village and up to the school. "That was an amazing thing. It was a big-time experience," Alex Buffum said of the victory parade. "Jordan and I used to talk about stuff like this." Lopez burst out for an 18-4 first-quarter lead and led by 13 point lead early in the fourth quarte,r but Highland (15-5) took advantage of Lobo starting guards' Farris and Colton Jardine sitting out with five fouls. The Knights' cut the Lobos' lead to 48-46 with three minutes, 14 seconds to go after Craig Crawford drilled back-to-back three-pointers. Christopherson grabbed a rebound, was fouled and sank two free throws to put the Lobos up by four. Buffum added another free throw and came up with a couple of big defensive plays. He tipped the ball from Caleb Brown and up the court where Smith intercepted it and drove to the opposite end for a layup. Buffum picked off the ball on the next possession and again fed a streaking Smith, who laid the ball in for a 53-46 lead with less than two minutes remaining. The Lobos remained composed, forced some turnovers and sank their free-throws. "We wanted it more than they did," Farris said. "They controlled the ball down the stretch and got the ball into Jordan's hands and he made his free throws," Coach Smith said. Smith went 7-for-8 from the line in the final period. "That was really big," his coach and father said. Smith missed only one field goal in the second half and led all scorers with 34 points. Farris contributed 11 points and 6 assists. Junior Shaun Samuel shot 4-for-4 from the field and finished with 10 points for the Lobos. Christopherson pitched in 4 points, 5 assists and 7 rebounds. Buffum yanked down 10 rebounds and scored 1 point. Sophomore Colton Jardine had 2 points. The Lopez bench came through in the victory. "Our subs were huge," Brad Smith said of seniors Isaac Berg and William Yukluk, junior Josh Cook and freshman William Carson. "Isaac had two big rebounds when Highland had the momentum and took a big charge against Caleb Brown, " Coach Smith said. "Carson's pressure slowed down Caleb Brown, " Smith said. "That was really big for a freshman. " Crawford paced Highland with 14 points. Caleb Brown scored 13. |
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SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
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