LYNNWOOD — Every team needs a guy like Dan Wishko.
Wishko rarely gets the glory on a Jackson Timberwolves boys basketball team blessed with three gifted scorers, but the 6-foot-4 junior forward inspires with energy, hustle and fearlessness.
But on Jan. 20, Wishko was all that and so much more.
Wishko scored a career-high 18 points and snared 10 rebounds, and Jackson used a remarkable second-half turnaround to beat the Lynnwood Royals 61-47 in a Western Conference South Division game at the Lynnwood High gym. Junior guard Brian Rucker also tallied 18 points for Jackson, which maintained its hold on first place.
Jackson, 12-1 overall, used a devastating defensive press to outscore Lynnwood 41-18 in the second half, including a 21-5 eruption in the fourth quarter.
On a night when Jackson’s leading scorer, Drew Eisinger, had a woeful start and had just two points by halftime, Wishko’s emergence was crucial.
“Dan Wishko was huge,” Jackson coach Steve Johnson said. “He was unbelievable tonight. He was the best player on the floor for us in many respects.”
Wishko kept Jackson afloat with nine points in the first quarter, exceeding his season average of 7.3 in just eight minutes. He went on to grab several key rebounds and helped his team turn a 29-20 halftime deficit into a relatively comfortable victory.
“We were just frustrated offensively in the first half,” said Wishko, whose team won its sixth straight game. “We couldn’t get anything going.”
But Jackson roared from the third quarter through the finish, completely altering the tempo of the game with its defensive press, which led to several fastbreak baskets.
“They’re much easier to defend in the half-court,” Lynnwood coach Landon Porter said of Jackson. “… In transition, they’re hard to find.”
Eisinger, a smooth 6-4 senior guard, eventually heated up for Jackson and scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half. His younger brother, junior point guard Jamie Eisinger, scored all nine of his points in the final 13 minutes, 7 seconds.
Give them credit,” Porter said. “They changed the flow of the game.”
Lynnwood senior Brennen Grubb (14 points) connected on two 3-point baskets in the first quarter to help the Royals take a 14-6 lead. Wishko and Rucker helped Jackson rally and take a one-point lead (17-16) after one quarter. But Lynnwood cranked up its defensive pressure in the second quarter, limiting the Timberwolves to just three points in the period (one field goal and one free throw).
After clawing back to within two (42-40) through three quarters, Jackson took the lead for good at 47-45 with 4:08 to go in the game when Rucker made a layin on an inbounds play.
Jackson took just 10 foul shots, but Wishko was 5-for-7.
“I’m really happy for him,” Johnson said. “He worked his butt off tonight.”
Jackson also used a strong second half to beat Lynnwood 66-56 on Dec. 6. Lynnwood led by four at halftime but Jackson outscored the Royals 39-25 over the final two quarters, including 26-15 in the fourth.
Fans packed the Lynnwood gym, making for an electric environment that’s eluded the Royals for more than 10 years, according to Lynnwood athletic secretary Lisa Gordon. Friday’s loss stings, Porter said, but he’s excited to see his team generating such enthusiasm.
“People came out in huge force,” he said, “and we appreciated the support — and hope it continues.”
Mike Cane writes for The Herald.
Jackson 60, Shorecrest 40
Brian Rucker scored a game-high 25 pints, including four 3-pointers, to lead Jackson to the Wesco South Division victory Tuesday night. Teammate Drew Eisinger had 22 points.
Lynnwood 46, Mountlake Terrace 39
Lynnwood will be returning to the 3A District 1 Tournament as it captured a Western Conference South Division victory over Mountlake Terrace Tuesday night.
Senior captain Amar Prasad came off the bench to ignite the Royals offense, scoring 14 of his game-high 15 points in the first two quarters. Prasad buried four 3-pointers — two in each quarter.
“Amar stepped up tonight to get the team going,” Royals coach Landon Porter said. “He came off the bench on fire.”
Lynnwood hopes to fare better in the playoffs following last year’s early exit after losing to Sehome and Ferndale in consecutive games.
“If we can defend well and score easy buckets in transition we should do pretty well this year,” Porter said.
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