Houston boys score huge win over ACS

March 4, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH/ Frontiersman

HOUSTON - Talk about going out in style.

The Houston High School boys basketball squad put together its finest effort of the year in its last regular-season game of the season Saturday night, a convincing 62-50 win over the visiting Anchorage Christian School Lions at Houston High School.

In the process, the Hawks wrapped up the No. 3 seed in next weekend's Southcentral Conference tournament - especially important because it means the Hawks can avoid facing the top-ranked Grace Christian Grizzlies in the first and second rounds.

&#8220We knew this was a really big game,” Hawks senior guard Ryan Thamm said following the win.

In his final home basketball game, Thamm came up huge for the Hawks, scoring a game-high 19 points on offense and plucking four steals to lead a tenacious Houston defensive effort.

&#8220We knew our offense would come,” Thamm said. &#8220We just had to stop them on defense.”

ACS boasts several quality outside shooters, but the stingy Houston 2-3 zone defense befuddled the Lions all night long. ACS shot just 39 percent from the field, including a dismal 1-for-11 from three-point range.

&#8220They have some unbelievable shooters,” Houston coach David Porter said. &#8220We knew we were going to have to come out and battle.”

ACS led just once in the game - at 2-0 - as Houston continued to gain confidence as the evening wore on. The Hawks led 26-20 at the half behind a solid team effort that saw eight different players get in the scoring column.

Donovan Parker and Coco Fredericks each scored 10 points for a balanced Houston attack that got contributions from 10 different players.

Parker, Fredericks and Quentin Veit each had five rebounds, while Fredericks dished out a game-high five assists.

Senior forward Aaron Conn also had a solid game, scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds. Conn made all four of his shot attempts from the field.

Chad Dyson overcame a slow start to score 16 points for ACS, while Jay Mia Kim came off the bench to contribute 11.

Houston was 5-for-10 from three-point range, and out-rebounded ACS 34-29.

The Lions got as close as 33-28 midway through the third quarter before back-to-back baskets by Phillip Lestenkoff and Thamm - his third three-pointer of the game - to go back up by 10.

The Hawks then took over in the final quarter, building a 19-point lead before cruising to victory.

Following the game, Porter was all smiles as he talked about his team's effort.

&#8220Every single time they come out they impress me with their attitude,” Porter said.

He was especially proud of the play of Thamm, an emotional point guard who has had a tendency at times this season to commit costly turnovers while trying to do too much.

&#8220He wants to take everything on his own,” Porter said.

At one point Saturday, Porter said Thamm removed himself from the game after realizing his emotions were getting the better of him.

&#8220For him to understand that, I thought that was one of the most mature things I've seen,” Porter said.

Thamm returned to the game shortly afterward, and from there on out was in complete control.

&#8220I really felt like I had to have a good game tonight,” he said. &#8220It feels great.”

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@frontiersman.com