Plenty to love about Jackson’s historic run

In time, the tears will dry and the smiles will return.

A few days, maybe, will be enough for the Jackson High School players and coaches to start savoring the good memories of a 23-5 season, and not the disappointment of Saturday’s 67-58 loss to Kentwood in the 4A state boys basketball championship game at the Tacoma Dome.

By then, let’s hope they’re thinking more about what they achieved and less about what they didn’t.

“Not many teams get to play in a state championship game,” Jackson coach Steve Johnson pointed out. “And there are a lot of great players in Washington who never played in a (high school) championship game.”

Among them, NBA All-Star Brandon Roy, who played at Garfield before going on to the University of Washington. Likewise, former Snohomish and UW star Jon Brockman, also in the NBA. Also, current UW standout Isaiah Thomas, plus many more over the years.

Even this year, good teams and good players were winnowed out along the way. Of the dozens of large-enrollment high schools in Washington, just 16 teams were good enough to get to the state tournament. Of those elite 16, only two prevailed through three rounds to reach the championship game.

Jackson was good enough to be there, becoming the first 4A or 3A boys basketball team from Snohomish County to play in a state title game since Mountlake Terrace won the crown in 1977.

But unfortunately, on this night, in this one game, the Timberwolves weren’t good enough to win.

And in a championship game, the winning team gets the hardware. The losing team makes the long and sometimes tearful walk to the locker room.

But for everyone around the Jackson program — the players, the coaches, the students, the parents and the other boosters — there should surely be a measure of consolation in a runner-up finish.

After all, in a state with as many good basketball programs as Washington, being No. 2 is still pretty darn good.

I watched Jackson play all of three games and part of a fourth at this week’s state tournament. The funny thing is, I figured they’d lose the first three games and they won all three. The one game I thought they’d win, the title game against Kentwood, they lost.

But as someone who enjoys basketball at any level, Jackson was a treat to watch. I loved the tough interior play of guys like Austin O’Keefe, Mike Wishko and Andy Gay. The crafty floor leadership of guard Marshall Massengale. The perimeter savvy of guard Ryan Todd.

And, of course, the skillful outside shooting touch of guard Brett Kingma, who seemingly scores from anywhere and against anyone.

Jackson started this season with eight straight victories and climbed to No. 2 in the 4A state rankings. Later, the team’s record reached 16-1.

But in what Johnson called his squad’s “late-season swoon,” Jackson lost three times in five games and had to win two loser-out games at the district tournament just to qualify for a berth at state.

During that stumbling stretch, Johnson stressed to his team the importance of defending and sharing the ball.

“And because they wanted to be successful on the biggest stage, they did it,” he said. “They finally got it, so to speak … The way we played at state, we just sort of had a different attitude. I could tell we were really focused and that we were not intimidated.”

Jackson won its first two state games against Skyline and Decatur in the late moments, and then pulled off its most stirring victory of the season on Friday night with a shocking upset of top-ranked and defending state champion Federal Way.

Those are highlights that should remain undiminished by Saturday’s defeat.

“I’m very, very proud of them,” Johnson said. “I’m proud that they accomplished so much. We certainly are the best team in the history of the school, and we’re one of the best teams in the history of Snohomish County.

“In the historical perspective and in the overall big picture, to play in a championship game is an unbelievable accomplishment,” he said. “And it’s something I’m very proud of.”