By Van Williams
Classic Media Director
Yarell Greer set the tone that carried the day for the Higley Knights of Gilbert, Arizona in a 69-53 victory over the Ronan Chiefs of Montana in the fourth-place game of the Alaska Airlines Classic at West High.
Greer, a NCAA Division I surefire signee, scored the first six points in about a minute and then added two assists later in the first quarter, the second one setting up a Donovan Dabney 3-pointer that pushed the lead to 17-6.
Greer finished with 13 points, six rebounds, five steals and three assists. Dabney added 13 points and went 3-of-5 from 3-point land. Greer is quicker than quick, and tough; a 5-foot-10 playmaker who plays with serious intent. Dabney’s jumper is wet. He splashed his jumpers, without ever touching the net.
Just a freshman, Noah Gloor scored 15 points, many coming late as the Knights sealed the deal to finish 2-1 in the tournament.
One of the cool parts of the Alaska Airlines Classic is how it pits schools which otherwise would probably never face off. Both Higley and Ronan traveled more than 2,500 miles to reach Anchorage.
Higley has an enrollment of about 2,000; Ronan around 200.
Ronan didn’t back down from the challenge, winning the battle of the boards 33-32. Ted Coffman III led the team with 16 points while Marlo Tonasket Jr. added 11 and Josiah Misa had 10 points. Tonasket showed off a beautiful turnaround jumper in the first quarter and Misa showed toughness, taking a charge and taking the ball to the rack.
The Chiefs played hard, and with class. Often throughout the three days you saw Ronan players help up fallen opponents. Or take Coffman, who was willing to give a Higley player a high five at the free-throw line after a teammate left him hanging.
Higley 19 18 24 8 – 69
Ronan 11 9 19 14 – 53
HIGLEY – Greer 13, Dabney 13, Bell 2, Danielson 9, Randall 5, Kortas 10, Irving 2, Gloor 15, Sieber 0.
RONAN – Zepeda 0, Edmo 3, Lozeau 0, McCrea Jr. 0, Qualtier 0, Small 2, Pretty On Top, 0, Finley 4, Misa 10, Coffman III 16, Gatch 2, Curley 5, Tonasket Jr. 11.
Alaska Airlines Classic 