SALEM, Ore. — If you weren’t believers of the Skyview boys basketball team, a squad seeking to change program history by stepping inside the Tacoma Dome for the Class 4A state tournament, this week might’ve changed your minds.
Because this week’s Capitol City Classic showcase tournament possibly gave a preview of what’s to come from Skyview the rest of this season.
So, are the Storm for real? Let Samaad Hector tell you.
“Hell yeah,” the senior said, “we’re for real.”
That statement came after Skyview’s 66-63 championship win over Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista, Calif. on Friday night at Willamette University at the Capitol City Classic.
The third-annual event featured a 16-team field comprised mostly of Oregon teams. Skyview was one of four out-of-state teams at the event, and the high-quality competition, and a four-day format were some of the perks that drew Storm coach Matt Gruhler to enter Skyview.
“It’s kind of like a practice state tournament,” Gruhler said.
Then there was the stiff competition, going 4-0 with wins over Oregon 5A teams and a pair of quality California teams. Gruhler described Wednesday’s overtime win against two-time defending Oregon 5A champion Wilsonville as having a state tournament-like feel to it.
And Friday’s opponent was much of the same.
Unlike the nationally-ranked powerhouse Mater Dei of Santa Ana, California, these Mater Dei Crusaders from the San Diego area still packed a powerful punch against a Storm.
Beon Riley poured in 28 points and Josh Tawhiao had 19, including five 3-pointers. Two of them came in the final 2:54 when Mater Dei cut Skyview’s once 60-53 lead within two inside 30 seconds to play. His potential game-tying 3-point attempt off an in-bound with 3.3 seconds to go down three was short, improving Skyview’s record to 10-0.
Mater Dei Catholic went 23-6 last season, advanced to the California state playoffs, and entered Friday seeking its second straight Capitol City Classic title. A team like that, Gruhler said, can prepare Skyview for not only the rest of the season, but for what hopes is a team the Storm will see should it reach the state tournament, too.
Skyview’s largest lead of the night was 39-29 with 5 minutes, 18 seconds left in the third quarter. That’s the quarter when Hector went off for eight of the Storm’s 11 points, but Skyview’s lead had dwindled to 45-40 entering the final eight minutes.
Alex Schumacher had a season-high 28 points, including hitting 10 of 12 free throws. He had 14 in the fourth and two free throws put Skyview up 60-53 with 1:05 left.
But Mater Dei kept hitting 3s and Skyview kept hitting free throws. Riley also had a pair of fourth-quarter 3s as part of his team-best 28 points for the Crusaders. His second 3 made it a 64-62 game in the closing seconds.
“In the fourth quarter,” Schumacher said, “they did not miss any 3s. They put up a tough fight.”
At 10-0 and sitting as the WIAA’s top team in RPI rankings in the midst of the holiday break, the Storm hopes this week speaks volumes of where they’re headed.
“We’re a pretty dominate team right now; we’re showing no signs of slowing down,” Hector said.
SKYVIEW 66,
MATER DEI CATHOLIC 63
Capitol City Classic title game
MATER DEI CATHOLIC — Beon Riley 28, Trey Anderson 7, Vincent Warren 0, Josh Tawhiao 19, Mauricio Reyes 0, Reggie Jackson 0, Jake Tawhiao 1, Jessie Campbell 0, Emilio Sanchez 8. Totals 24 (8) 7-11 63.
SKYVIEW — Alex Schumacher 28, Cole Grossman 5, Jovon Sewell 8, Samaad Hector 13, Squeeky Johnson 0, Lowell Dunmire 0, Chris Webster 7, Kyle Gruhler 0, KB Fesehazion 5. Totals 20 (6) 20-27 66.
