The last game of Lindbergh High School’s season last year ended sourly, as the then No. 16 Eagles took on the No. 9 Wolves from Sequim in the opening round of the 2A state tournament. What transpired was a bare knuckle fight that saw Sequim leave the University of Puget Sound arena with a 44-36 win over Lindbergh.
This year, Lindbergh had their chance at a get-back, granted with a bit less on the line and inside their home gym. But the Eagles took down Sequim 54-43 on Dec. 17 thanks to a defiant fourth quarter in which the Eagles outscored Sequim 18-6.
“I think guys finally woke up as a team and as a unit. I also think we had some senior leadership step up in multiple ways. Communicating their presence and not getting too carried away with how the game was going. That speaks to the culture we have here,” head coach Abraham Garcia said.
Senior James Huff IV took charge in the fourth quarter, tallying seven of his 21 points in the fourth quarter. Huff wanted to take a leadership role this season, and what better time than beating the team that sent him home last season.
“I really wanted to become the leader that I always wanted to be. Watching John (Choul) and Lukas (Lutthans) in my freshman and sophomore year, I took what they did in those years and added it to my game,” Huff said.
When Huff is at his best, he is driving to the basket, using his speed and length to his advantage. Early on, Huff was settling for threes and highly contested shots. But in the second half, Huff was the game breaker than he has shown his whole career.
“He realized really quick that he’s the best player on the court,” Garcia said.
The Eagles entered the fourth quarter tied 36-36 with Sequim, but a juggernaut defensive performance, plus a group that finally started clicking, put together Lindbergh’s best quarter of the night.
“There was a sense of urgency when we came into the huddle. We knew what was at stake. We knew there was eight more minutes and we had a big game on our hands. We definitely didn’t want to lose to Sequim,” Huff said.
Lindbergh is now 6-1 with their one loss coming to Liberty back on Nov. 29, by a score of 73-55. But Lindbergh is finally starting to find their groove as they have won five straight games following that loss.
With the heightened emotions, Garcia expected to be on edge and a little fiery to start the contest. But what transpired was sluggish, sloppy play from both sides, and neither Sequim nor Lindbergh could find consistency on the offensive side of the floor.
Sequim led 15-11 at the end of the first quarter, but it wasn’t a convincing four point lead. Just Huff and Christian Serrano scored point for Lindbergh in the opening quarter.
Lindbergh’s defense had a strong second quarter, holding Sequim to just eight points as the Eagles took a 23-19 advantage to the locker rooms.
The third quarter was where Lindbergh started to see production from top to bottom on the roster. But along the way, there were some bumps on the road that allowed Sequim to get back in the game.
It’s really hard to have a game with zero turnovers, but that is the goal for every basketball team that has ever stepped on the floor. For Garcia and Lindbergh’s case, Huff, Oliver Talmidge, Christian Serrano and Trinidad Valentino English are the only players who have gotten varsity minutes at all. This means players will have to learn on the fly, in situations where they are not the most comfortable. So far, apart from the Liberty game, Lindbergh has been able to overcome the turnovers and miscues.
But come playoff time, Garcia is hoping that the whole roster has ironed out the kinks and is ready to play at a high level.
Christian Serrano drives to the basket for Lindbergh. Ben Ray / The Reporter
“What we are doing right now is giving guys opportunities to make mistakes. Unfortunately, it puts us in really tough spots toward the end of the game. But for me, it will be all worth it in the end, regardless. We are turning the ball over, but it’s okay because it is a learning experience for those younger guards. … I am just trying to give these guys an opportunity to make these mistakes now so come playoff time we are ready to go,” Garcia said.
The talent is there in terms of the depth that Lindbergh is operating with. Seven different players scored points for the Eagles, five scored more than one field goal.
“It doesn’t matter what situation we are in, as long as we do what we are supposed to do, we will click as a unit,” Garcia said.
The fourth quarter was the defining feature and especially against Sequim, Huff made it a point of emphasis to go out with a bang after the third quarter concluded.
“The whole entire game I had fun. It was fun boosting up my teammates and smile with them. It’s just about getting better every day,” Huff said.
James Huff IV dunks the ball against Sequim for Lindbergh. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Lindbergh hosts Cedarcrest on Dec. 20, then heads to Kentlake on Dec. 22 before going on Christmas break. Two games that can continue to push the train forward for Garcia and his squad.
“Our confidence is through the roof. We come to practice everyday knowing what we are capable of. We go into every game with a sense of urgency and wanting to improve our record because we never had a season like this before. 6-1 is a really good start for us,” Huff said.
The last time Lindbergh started the season at least 6-1 was back in 2019 when they started 7-0. That team went to state and took home fifth place, which tied the best finish in school history.
