That was just a warmup.
Schumacher averaged 20 points over four state tournament games at the Tacoma Dome, including 25 points against eventual champion Gonzaga Prep. A Skyview program that had never reached state placed sixth, with Schumacher named first-team all-tournament.
“He is the engine that makes us go,” Gruhler said. “What he brought to the table took us to the next level.”
For his accomplishments, Schumacher is The Columbian’s All-Region boys basketball player of the year.
In a sophomore season that saw him earn second-team all-league honors, Schumacher struggled with consistency. But when Skyview gathered for its summer session, something about his game was different.
“There were games where our coaching staff would look at each other and say, ‘who is this kid?’ ” Gruhler said.
Schumacher spent the offseason playing in high-caliber AAU tournaments. He also grew three inches to 6-foot-2. But mostly, Schumacher credits his improvement to confidence.
“Last year, I was a little frantic,” Schumacher said. “I didn’t want to dribble as much so I would pass it off. But this year, I felt comfortable that if a guy was guarding me close, I could trust myself to make the play.”
And make plays he did. Schumacher’s 17.8 points per game led the 4A GSHL and was sixth best among players in the region.
But Schumacher’s impact went beyond scoring.
“He came into the first day of practice with the mentality of ‘hey guys, I’m a leader here,’ ” Gruhler said. “That allowed other guys to fit into different roles they were more comfortable with.”
Nowhere was Schumacher’s steadying force more apparent than at the Tacoma Dome. In Skyview’s first game on that big stage, he made two early 3-pointers as the Storm shot 55 percent in the first half against Glacier Peak. Skyview won 68-67 to advance to the quarterfinals against top-ranked Gonzaga Prep.
“It definitely took until after the first game for me to realize that OK, this is actually happening,” Schumacher said. “Just calm down and go through this like a normal game. But at the Dome, I just wanted to give it all for my teammates so I could leave there saying ‘no regrets.’ ”
Schumacher will have another busy offseason on the AAU circuit. He plans to play in Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League in Virginia, as well as tournaments in Indianapolis and South Carolina. He hopes that will raise his college prospects. He has generated interest from smaller programs including Big Sky Conference teams.
But Schumacher’s bright future doesn’t mean he isn’t taking time to look back on the best season so far in Skyview boys basketball history.
“Me and my teammates, we get to share that,” he said. “It’s a big thing. But we’re looking forward to going even bigger next year.”
First team
Tyler Combs, Union
Senior guard was co-MVP of the 4A GSHL, averaging 16.9 points per game in regular season.
Samaad Hector, Skyview
Six-foot-5 senior forward led team in rebounds and blocks and was second-leading scorer.
Jacob Hjort, Columbia River
Western Oregon-bound guard was 2A GSHL co-MVP. Averaged 14.4 points per game. Second all-time scorer in school history.
Kameron Osborn, Prairie
Junior point guard was 3A GSHL co-MVP, averaging 20.7 points per game. Falcons ended 10-year state drought.
Kaden Perry, Battle Ground
Six-foot-8 freshman averaged 14.5 points per game, third most in 4A GSHL.
Peyton Brammer, Hockinson
Six-foot-4 sophomore led 2A GSHL in scoring at 20.2 points per game.
Khalfani Cason, King’s Way Christian
Junior guard led Knights with 16.8 points per game. Scored 35 in state win over Wahluke.
Hunter Ecklund, La Center
Sophomore point guard averaged 19.9 points per game in regular season, fourth highest in area.
Jason Franklin, Union
Six-foot-4 senior forward did a little of everything in helping Titans to Tacoma Dome for fourth straight year.
Nasseen Gutierrez, Columbia River
Six-foot-6 senior forward was key in helping Chieftains place sixth in 2A state tournament.
Dante Heitschmidt, Prairie
Six-foot-3 shooting guard was team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 16.2 points in regular season.
