Fourth state hoops tourney for Snohomish player

Published 11:30 pm Monday, February 25, 2008

This time of year the Tacoma Dome without Zach Wilde would be like a rim with no backboard.

Some things just go together.

When Wilde steps onto a Tacoma Dome court Wednesday for a Class 4A state tournament game, he will officially accomplish something no one in the long, decorated history of Snohomish High School previously did: Participate in four-consecutive state hoops tourneys.

Jon Brockman didn’t do it — he went to state three times. Neither did Doug Love, who starred for Snohomish from 1967-1970 and helped lead the Panthers to their only state championship in 1970.

Wilde, a versatile 6-foot-6 senior forward, hasn’t just been along for the ride. He’s always been a key contributor for Snohomish, especially this season. The solo team captain leads the Panthers in scoring (15.7 points per game), rebounding (7.0) and assists (5.0).

He’ll try to generate another huge all-around performance 9 a.m. Wednesday when Snohomish (20-3) plays Decatur (20-6) in an opening-round state-tourney game.

In the spacious, potentially intimidating Tacoma Dome, Wilde feels right at home.

“The season wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t go, and this year’s going to be even better,” said Wilde, an All-Wesco North first team honoree. “It’s my senior year and it’s the last year this is a one-school district.”

Next season Glacier Peak High, the Snohomish School District’s second high school, opens. Students in the district who live south of the Snohomish River will attend Glacier Peak, except for this year’s juniors, who will complete their senior year at Snohomish High.

Most basketball players feel fortunate to play in one state tournament. Wilde knows he couldn’t have achieved the rare four-peat without talented teammates.

“It hasn’t been easy to get there. I’ve had a lot of good players with me. It’s been a good ride for me,” he said.

During Wilde’s freshman season he had Brockman, who of course now plays for the University of Washington. The past two seasons Wilde had Tim Diederichs, a pure freshman who starts for Loyola Marymount University.

Without those guys around, Wilde was determined to take on more responsibility this season and prove he could lead Snohomish back to Tacoma.

“This year it really felt like the whole thing was on my shoulders to go out there and help lead my team to state,” Wilde said. “I’ve had a part in it the past three years, but this year I thought I had a bigger part in it.”

So far, Wilde’s been up to the task.

“He stepped up as a captain this year. He’s done a real good job of keeping everybody on the same page and level-headed,” Snohomish senior Clayton Johnson said.

Wilde has done “a good job of communicating with everybody,” said Panthers coach Len Bone.

Wilde attributed his improved leadership to lessons learned from Brockman and Diederichs. Brockman constantly inspired teammates with hustle and confidence, and Diederichs was an outgoing guy who energized everyone before games, said Wilde.

A variety of physical talents make Wilde unique. He can score, rebound and defend. But often his most impressive skill is passing. It’s unusual for a 6-6 high school player to set up teammates’ shots with such style and consistency.

“He’s got tremendous vision,” said Johnson, and “he puts the ball right where it needs to be. You don’t really have to do a lot of work. He does the work for you.”

On occasion Wilde, who said he has received interest from several in-state college coaches but hasn’t committed to anyone yet, avoids making a simple pass in hopes of creating an ideal scoring opportunity for a teammate. The strategy usually works well for Snohomish.

“Sometimes he’ll not make an easy pass anticipating he can make a better one a few seconds later,” coach Bone said. “To his credit, he’s right way more than he’s wrong.”

In Wilde’s first two seasons at Snohomish, getting things right all the time proved to be impossible, which is reality for even the most talented players. At times Wilde struggled to deal with failure. He said he sometimes let frustration hurt his relationship with Bone.

“We had some tough times my first two years,” Wilde said.

Gradually, Wilde learned to accept constructive criticism. Now the player and coach talk frequently and appear to get along much better.

“It’s a good relationship,” said Wilde. “He’s one of the great coaches around here. I wouldn’t want to play for anybody else but him.”

Said Bone, “Part of being a player is being coached. He’s always wanted to be coached, but as he’s gotten older I think we understand each other better. All Zach wants to do is to play the best he can and all I want is to try to help him do that.”

Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.