Photos by david b. hardt
CHIEF LESCHI WARRIORS ALEX ST. Germain and Jordan Foley (above) are shown being challenged by defenders from the Bear Creek Grizzlies.
After a disappointing 61-49 loss Jan. 12 to a dominating Bear Creek Grizzlies (20-1, 11-0), the Chief Leschi Warriors (13-6, 9-2), regrouped and found their stride producing a nine-game winning streak. Those wins catapulted the Warriors to the Feb. 13 Sea-Tac 2B League championship, hosted by Chief Leschi High School.
There the Warriors faced the two-time league champion Grizzlies once again, however, this time accompanied by boisterous fans and a press-filled baseline. The Grizzlies were led by reigning two-time league MVP senior guard Jamie Meyer (averaging 18.5 points), who would lead the way with 22 points to defeat the Warriors 65-41.
Warrior head coach Eric Smith shared his strategy for the game against the Grizzlies shortly before the highly anticipated championship game.
“We are going to put a lot more pressure on them this time. We sat back in a zone last time so we are going to go man-to-man,” Eric Smith said. “To get to this game we have been using our speed. I just told my guys to play like it is just another game. During practice this week our teams have been focused.”
The Warriors kept pace with the high octane Grizzlies in the opening minutes of the period by delivering suffocating man-to-man defense, which quickly resulted in forcing three quick turnovers. The Warriors would strike first with help of Guard Tyler Savini (7 points) dazzling the crowd threading the needle and connecting with sharp shooter Ali Ahmed (8 points) for a 3-point field goal from the right corner to give the warrior their only lead of the game 5-3. The Grizzlies started out cold missing their first three shots, however in the last minute of the first period Jamie Meyer would get loose and knock down a three pointer and hit two quick lay-ups. The first period would end with the Warriors trailing 10-11.
Things changed dramatically for the Warriors in the second period when the Grizzlies pushed the pace of the offense and skipped the ball around. This created good percentage shots in the post. The Warriors struggled to get out of full and half court traps, committing four costly momentum-changing turnovers. Forward Nate Bission (10 points) kept the Warriors alive with solid shooting, followed by the daunting task of containing Grizzlies hot hand, Jamie Meyer. The Warriors would go to the locker room trailing 20-30.
The final half of play the Grizzlies showed more tenacity and ball control, while the Warriors continued to struggle with developing and executing plays, particularly with post play. In the final period with 3:45 left in the game the Warriors would make an attempt to come back, led by Guards Joey Bissen (5 points) nailing a 3-pointer, followed by Jordan Foley (7 points) hitting short jumper that that would spark a 10-4 run. The Warriors finally on the same page would turn on the heat on too little too late.
“We just got out-played and had trouble with our bigs in paint. We just didn’t come to play. They wanted it more and they got it,” Joey Bissen said. “As for that last run, we all just wanted it, but our want is just coming out at the wrong time. We need to always come out strong every time, rather than looking all soft.
“I think we just thought we would come out and win it. We were just a little too cocky. We need to come out with more heart and play harder,” Jordan Foley said. “In that last couple minutes we worked as a team, we need to do that all the time.”
“I think we got out played and we must play harder. The game was all about heart. They out rebounded us and they were on the ground going after balls,” Eric Smith said. “They are an experienced team, and they just wanted it more.”
