Darrington has all the experience at state tourney

Published 11:19 pm Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Long before Jeff Bryson rolled into Spokane Tuesday, he knew where his Darrington boys basketball team would spend the night.

And when that team rolled out of bed this morning, Bryson knew just where they would eat breakfast.

Darrington begins play in the 2B state tournament at 2 p.m. today against Northwest Christian of Lacey. This is the 24th trip to state for the Loggers. Eight of those trips to the 2B tourney at Spokane Arena have come since 1997, under Bryson and the Loggers have placed each time.

Then there’s Northwest Christian. The Navigators are making their very first trip to state.

There’s perhaps no bigger contrast between two teams that otherwise appear to be pretty even. And, even though it may seem insignificant, it could make the difference once the teenagers from each side find themselves in the spotlight.

“Having been there helps a lot, just as a matter of routine. There are so many routines to the whole week, starting on the day you get your draw,” Bryson said.

“There are a lot of things, like knowing where to stay and where to eat. Then there’s the open rim the kids have to shoot on and the fact that the floor is longer than normal.

“I can remember my first trip to the state tournament, wondering why our kids were so winded. Now I know. It’s because that court is longer and we were running all over it like normal.”

Darrington enters state at 20-5 after placing third last week in the Western Bi-District. Northwest Christian-Colbert won the Eastern Bi-District with a 61-50 victory against St. George’s and could be Darrington’s second-round opponent.

The top priority for the Loggers will be slowing Northwest Christian-Lacey guard Ryan Fox, who has averaged more than 30 points per game so far in the postseason. He’s the leader of a tough group of guards who will look to push the ball up the court.

“He’s a shooter, he’s a driver, he’s a slasher. He knows how to score from everywhere and they set a lot of ball screens for him,” Bryson said of Fox. “They’re a guard-dominant team. They like to push the ball and score a lot of points.”

Darrington will counter with 6-2 junior forward Mike Parris, who is averaging 14.5 points an outing, and a defense that ranks as one of the best in 2B. The Loggers allowed an average of just 42 points in three wins and a loss last week at districts.

That’s reminiscent of the 2003 state championship team that allowed an average of 48.3 points during its four state victories.

“Our defense is pretty effective,” Bryson said. “We have a bunch of guys who can all defend, protect the ball well and shoot the 3.”

After Fox, Bryson’s biggest concern may be the focus of his team. If the Loggers get past Northwest Christian-Lacey, they’ll likely face Northwest Christian-Colbert in the quarterfinals. The two-time defending state champions knocked Darrington out of the winners’ bracket last season.

“We as coaches don’t look ahead,” Bryson said. “But I’ve heard the kids talking about it and I know that’s their goal. We have to take it one team at a time, one day at a time, because you never know what will happen.”