Timeout with … Joon Lee
Published 12:01 am Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Although his final season of prep hoops began with disappointment and uncertainty, Joon Lee will never forget the joy he felt on Jan. 25.
That’s when Lee, after recovering from a broken foot, made his season debut and was in the Kamiak High School boys basketball team’s starting lineup on
senior night against the Jackson Timberwolves. Lee soaked in the experience, which included a pre-game ovation from Kamiak fans in the Knights’ gym in Mukilteo.
“I had goose bumps,” said Lee, a point guard and team captain. “I was just excited to get back on the court again with my teammates.”
Lee played a few minutes in the first quarter and a few minutes in the fourth quarter. State-ranked Jackson won the game by 24 points, but it was a personal victory for Lee, who is grateful to be playing again after being sidelined by injury most of the winter.
Kamiak (12-8), the Western Conference South Division No. 2 seed, has a home game tonight against North Division No. 3 seed Lake Stevens (11-9) in the first round of the Class 4A District 1 tournament. Lee, who has played in two other games since senior night, hopes to make an impact.
“I’m going to work and earn my minutes again,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll move on in districts and get to state.”
Coach’s corner
While Lee was out with a broken foot, he found ways to be a leader on and off the court, Kamiak coach Cory West said. At times, the dedicated, observant Lee became an extension of the Knights’ coaching staff and helped the coaches notice important things that they had missed, said West.
Thanks, bro
Lee grew up in British Columbia and started playing basketball in fifth grade. He idolized his older brother, Don Lee, a point guard who helped his high school team win a Canadian provincial championship, the equivalent of a U.S. state championship. Don Lee played with current Gonzaga University center Robert Sacre. “I really learned how to work hard through my brothers and his teammates,” Joon Lee said. “They’d always be shooting at night and they’d make time to get better.”
Learning to lead
Being a point guard helped Joon Lee develop skills that transfer favorably to other parts of his life. “You’ve got to be a leader out there on the court, whether that’s talking to your teammates or distributing the ball to them,” said Lee. “It’s really helped me develop as a leader.”
Providing a Link
Highly involved in school activities beyond sports, Lee was in Kamiak’s multicultural club, and as a Link crew leader he helps ease the transition from middle school to high school for freshmen. Lee can relate to incoming students who feel anxiety: He transferred from a small school in B.C. to Kamiak before his sophomore year. “It was real lonely,” Lee recalled. “I wanted to help the freshmen as much as I can.”
Viva Las Vegas
Lee recently got accepted into the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He might study hotel management or business administration.
Highlight heaven
Lee’s favorite TV show is ESPN’s SportsCenter. His favorite sport besides basketball is baseball and he’s a devoted Red Sox fan.
A little friendly advice
Lee said the best advice he ever received is: “Just work hard. Whatever you put into something is what you’re going to get out.”
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
