REARVIEW MIRROR: THIS IS WHY I'M HOT

This is why you not. (copyright Brad Camp/Bainbridge Review)

For a minute there, I thought Bellevue was too much for Bainbridge.

Luke Sikma was dominating on the inside as Cam Warren (all of five feet, seven inches) was running around and making great passes to his teammates Sikma and Alex Schrempf, who I thought was going to have a dominate game with the way he came out and played the first quarter.

But what was most disconcerting was how the Wolverines were beating the Spartans to the lane for layins. They just don't have those defensive lapses as much as they did last night.

Credit to the team for coming out stronger on defense in the second half. They started cutting off those lanes to the rim and forcing Bellevue to shoot jumpers. When they couldn't hit them, that's when things took a turn.

It also helps to have a talented big man in Coby Gibler and - what I think - is the AP 3A MVP, Steven Gray. He and Coby did their part to bring the team back. Also, props to Nick Fling, Austin Wood, Caleb Davis and Rudy Sharar who worked their behinds off on D to keep Bellevue from taking over.

The team also deserves praise for slowing the ball down and holding onto it for long stretches to run time off the clock.

Still, Luke Sikma showed he deserves his spot on the Seattle Times Star Times team. He's got a great jumper and he's very athletic. If he was only a few inches taller (he's 6'7") he might be getting NBA attention.

But I like the guy. He'll be good at Portland.

Finally, if you haven't seen Review photographer Brad Camp's slideshow yet, click here. Outstanding work that's even better than the big papers. If you're curious, yes that's my voice leading it off.

I'll be back in a few hours from Hec Ed with some notes I've collected over the course of a few days. If you're going, get there early 'cause the place will be packed.

"See" you then.

GAME 2: BAINBRIDGE 64, BELLEVUE 54

BAINBRIDGE GETS HOT, BURNS BELLEVUE
Spartans take control in the second half, move onto tourney semis

BANK OF AMERICA ARENA - The Bellevue Wolverines were ready for this one.
They came out focused and hit their shots in a big way, shooting 70 percent in the first half.
But it was all Bainbridge in the second, as they took over and beat the Kingco 3A champs 64-54 to move on to the semifinals in the 3A state tournament at Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmunson Pavillion.
Bainbridge outscored Bellevue 36-21 in the third and fourth quarters to send the Wolverines to the loser's bracket and keep the Spartans in the hunt for their first state title in 59 years.
"That's a great win," guard Nick Fling said. "That's going to help us a lot in the next game."
Bainbridge came out focused, but Bellevue wouldn't be denied as they shot the lights out in the first half.
Bellevue forwards Luke Sikma and Alex Schrempf came out on fire, leading the Wolverines to a 22-13 lead after one.
Steven Gray and Coby Gibler kept them in it, but Bellevue kept it going in the second quarter as guard Cam Warren - averaging 1.3 points a game - scored several as Bellevue went up by five at the half.
"We weren't playing great defense," head coach Scott Orness said. "We were making a lot of mental errors where we were giving up layins. We don't give up layins. They were getting a lot of backdoor cuts on (our) d(efense.)
"So getting focused on what we needed to do on offense and defense in the second and third quarter really helped us win."
Bainbridge did just that, slowly working their way back into the game, then taking the lead at 36-35 on a basket inside by Gibler.
Gray then completed a three point play as Belleve went ice cold in the third, scoring just one field goal.
Bainbridge didn't let up in the fourth, but Sikma didn't either. He scored again and again with the jumper from the baseline.
But the Spartans did their job by running out the clock while Wood and Gibler did their damage from the inside.
Bainbridge also connected on their foul shots from the line, shooting 72 percent from the charity stripe.
"We've had those situations where we've been in a hole against good teams" and they've responded to the pressure, said guard Steven Gray. "I think that will boost our confidence going into the rest of the tournament."
Gray finished with 21 points, three rebounds and four assists.
Gibler had 22 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.
Sikma led Bellevue with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Bainbridge plays upstart North Central from Spokane tomorrow at 9 p.m. The winner moves on to the big one Saturday night at 9 p.m. while the loser is relegated to the third/sixth place game Saturday at 5 p.m.

REARVIEW MIRROR: "SHOOT THE BALL!" *clap clap clapclapclap* "SHOOT THE BALL!"

But it's hard to score when you've got to shoot over giants.
(Copyright Brad Camp/Bainbridge Review)

Last night's game made history.

According to the Seattle Times' Michael Ko, Bainbridge was -- unofficially -- not only the first team in 3A state history, but in Hec Ed history, to hold a team scoreless for a half.

The building has been open since 1929.

Pretty impressive, eh? It was a nice idea for North Thurston to try and stall the Spartans to sleep, but when you play O'Dea three times and Prep twice, you're used to teams slowing things down. They might have been better off trying to run the Spartans off the parquet, as they aren't that fast.

Still, Bainbridge was able to relax and make some steals to put the pressure on North Thurston. I was impressed with their defense. They kept in front of their man and rarely got beat to the hoop until the game was decided long before the final buzzer.

And you know it's bad when a guy can come off the bench (as in senior guard Paxton Kruse) and score three more points than your highest scorer on the team. I mean, damn, man.

Also kudos to the Spartan fans for coming out and making some noise for their team at such a late hour. Hopefully they can grab more of their friends and family to come out and watch them play.

Up next: Bellevue tonight. They won't be able to hold the Wolverines scoreless, but it will be close and an excellent game.

Gibler v. Sikma will be the matchup to watch. The two, who are cousins, must control the glass for their team. Whoever can shut the other down will ensure their team wins.

I'll be there and I hope to see you out there as well.

Edit: Here's our photographer Brad Camp and his slideshow that he put together on the game last night. Excellent job by Brad. Just like the big papers. :)

GAME 1: BAINBRIDGE 63, NORTH THURSTON 29

(I don't have the password for our company's website right now, so here's what I'll post in a bit.)

Spartans dominate on D, defeat Rams in opener
Gray, Gibler lead team as Bainbridge moves on

By JOHN BECERRA, JR.
Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON - Height makes right.
The Bainbridge boys basketball team used their size and blew up Thurston's plans to control the game, defeating the Rams 63-29 in the opening round of the 3A state tournament at the Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavillion.
Behind a good sized and very vocal Bainbridge cheering section, the Spartans held the Rams to zero points in the first half.
It was the first time since 1963 that a team was held scoreless for a quarter.
"A game that starts that way where they're gonna sit on the ball, you never know what's going to happen," head coach Scott Orness said. "Our guys kept great composure and made great decisions on defense. You can't ask for more."
North Thurston came out and held onto the ball for minutes at a time, but Bainbridge rotated to perfection to deny any decent looks at the rim.
The Spartans struggled at first due to some nerves, but responded as Steven Gray scored four points in the first five and a half minutes.
Rudy Sharar scored on a fast break layin to round out the scoring.
In the second quarter, Gibler did his thing, as he converted a three point play and kept the Rams off the glass.
"Coby Gibler really stepped up and got us going," Orness said.
Gray and Davis both hit threes as they scored five points apiece in the period.
North Thurston went 0 for 18 at the half. They didn't score until 6:42 was left in the third.
Meanwhile, Gibler had nine points in the period as Bainbridge closed it out with 21 points in the third, allowing Orness to send in the subs and rest his starters.
"We're getting every rebound and every shot was contested," Spartan forward Austin Wood said. "We were playing good state basketball."
It went so well for the Spartans that Paxton Kruse came in and connected on all his shots, including two threes, to score 10 points -- three more than North Thurston's leading scorer Will Sharp.
Gibler had 14 points and eight rebounds, while Gray had 14 points and nine rebounds.
Bainbridge outrebounded North Thurston 40-19.
Bainbridge takes on Bellevue tomorrow in a rematch of their 3A Sea-King district semifinal.
Game time is at 9 p.m.