Everyone's a star for Sun Kings

By DAVE THOMAS
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

Link: http://www.yakimaherald.com/page/sp/313567026720970

Before Wednesday's game, Yakama coach Paul Woolpert talked about how the team's
all-star selections could have just as easily been formed out of a different combination of Sun Kings.

Then the team went out that night and showed just how accurate an assessment Woolpert had made.

While Yakama's four all-stars, Desmond Ferguson, Jason Sasser, Jermaine Blackburn and Moochie Norris had solid outings, led by Ferguson's 21 points and Norris' 10 assists, it was the rest of the cast that made the difference in another victory over Albany.

Tim Ellis continued his stellar play in the past month by coming within two assists of the team's second triple-double of the season, while Harvey Thomas and Elvin Mims also made key contributions in a 100-79 victory.

"This is great, especially what we're doing as a team," said Thomas, who finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, along with two blocks. "This is a good way for us to go on the break. We did the things we had to do."

As a result, the Sun Kings reached the midpoint of their season with a CBA-record 23-1 mark following Wednesday's 61/2-1/2 points victory. The team is now off until next Friday when they continue their homestand by hosting East Kentucky.

"The second games in back-to-backs are always difficult and tonight was no different," Woolpert said of Yakama struggling to put away the Patroons two nights after beating them by 36 points. "We talked about finishing (the first half) on a positive note, and we were able to do that.

"Obviously, we're extremely pleased with our first half. It's beyond my wildest expectations."

A good part of Yakama's success has stemmed from its balance, and Wednesday was another such example.

Six players wound up scoring in double figures, with different players stepping up at different times.

Ellis had the best all-around effort, with 15 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and two steals with older brother and former Sun King Rosell Ellis watching in the stands.

"Tim has been our best player the last three weeks, and tonight was no different," Woolpert said. "Certainly he has a confidence about him, and he's been able to learn (from our veterans). His game has just blossomed. He's playing at the highest level I've seen."

"He played the same way for us in the second half of last season," said Albany coach Vince Askew, who coached Ellis with Bellevue in the ABA last season. "He's slowed down and is making good decisions."

"With any team, you just try to figure out your role and do what's best for the team," said Ellis, adding that is something everyone in Yakama's locker room has done so far. "Everyone on the team is stepping up."

A couple of cases in point: Ferguson, after a quiet seven-point first half, broke loose for 14 in the third quarter as Yakama extended an eight-point halftime lead to 75-59. Then Mims had 10 of Yakama's first 14 in the fourth quarter, including eight in a 10-0 burst, that put the Sun Kings firmly in command at 89-64 with 6:58 to play.

"After that third quarter, Des came over to me and said he didn't need to play anymore," Woolpert said of the guard giving up minutes to teammates. "To me, that's just an indication of how unselfish this team is."

Which is the primary reason they sit where they are heading into the all-star break.