Classical Academy senior a slam dunk

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jan 13, 2004 by BOB SCHALLER THE GAZETTE

Trailing by five points, longtime Class 3A powerhouse Buena Vista needed a rally against The Classical Academy, a 2A team, Friday night.

TCA's Adam Northam saw the play develop before Buena Vista's players began to setup a crucial 3-point basket attempt.

"I was down low, playing defense, and I read what they were doing, setting a double screen high at the top of the key," Northam said. "I saw the guy start running around to get behind the screen. He was going to get the pass."

But Northam took the play apart. He cut between the player and passer, grabbed the ball and charged down the floor, sending TCA's fullhouse home crowd into orbit.

"I took maybe four dribbles, and I could hear the crowd," Northam said. "They were yelling, 'Dunk it! Dunk it!'"

The 5-foot-11 senior knew what TCA coach Frank Haist was thinking: You'd better not dunk it.

"The last time I went up to dunk, I missed it," said Northam. "Coach was not happy. If I missed this one . . . but, at that point, it didn't matter. I remember thinking, 'Even if I don't make this one, it'll be worth it.'"

Northam did make it. He pounded the ball through the basket and quelled any comeback hopes Buena Vista may have had as The Classical Academy rolled to a 64-55 win. He finished with a team-high 24 points. On Saturday, he hit 21 in a 74-66 win over Florence.

"After that dunk it was just a hammer I looked into his eyes and saw something I really hadn't seen before," Haist said. "I knew at that moment that this kid came to play. Neither night did I think he had a 20-point night. He makes his points so consistently that you overlook him at times. But Friday night, with so much on the line, that was a great play, an exciting play."

Northam credits his team for the win over the bigger school. Three teammates in particular stood out, including Steve Horne, J.P. Tomberlin and Mike Will who teamed up to shut down Buena Vista's 6-8 center, John Solder.

Buena Vista won the Class 3A state title in 2001 and was a state semifinalist last season.

Playing in the 3A Tri-Peaks West League has made TCA a better team. And it may pay dividends when the Titans move on to the Class 2A playoffs.

"As we keep getting better and winning, people will understand how beneficial it is to play up a class like that," Northam said.

"We've played bigger teams for four years schools that are huge to us and that, ultimately, is what has made us better. When we get to the 2A playoffs, now people are going to know who we are."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0250 or sports@gazette.com

PIKES PEAK BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 10

1. Harrison (8-0, previously No. 1):

The Panthers are averaging 16 steals per game. They have a showdown at Fountain-Fort Carson on Friday.

2. Fountain-Fort Carson (9-0, No. 2):

Trojans have scored at least 71 points in every game. Average margin of victory is 32 points.

3. Lewis-Palmer (7-1, No. 3): Rangers have won six straight games. Beat Sierra by 23 in Class 4A Metro League opener.

4. Coronado (6-2, unranked): New coach Dan Hugill has Cougars playing well. Losses are to Cheyenne Mountain and Harrison.

5. Cheyenne Mountain (7-2, No. 4):

Beat Mesa Ridge, then lost to Northglenn by 14. Robert Montgomery leads a talented group.

6. Wasson (5-3, No. 7): Thunderbirds beat a solid Rampart team in 5A Metro League opener. Host rival Palmer today.

7. Doherty (2-6, unranked): Talk about a difficult schedule. Spartans' losses are to teams with a combined record of 43-3.

8. Sierra (6-3, No. 6): Stallions have won four of five. Bounced back from loss to Lewis-Palmer to defeat Elizabeth by 31.

9. Widefield (5-3, No. 9): Losses are to Green Mountain, Loveland and Coronado. The Gladiators are a talented bunch.

10. Air Academy (4-3, unranked): The Garrett Maloney-led Kadets are 2-0 in 5A Metro. They play Doherty and Coronado this week.

PIKES PEAK GIRLS BASKETBALL TOP 10

1. Cheyenne Mountain (7-1, previously No. 1): Lost to 5A Grand Junction after being outscored 29-12 in the fourth period. Holly Benson scored 22 for the Indians.

2. Palmer (7-1, No. 2): First loss of the season came at home to Doherty 48-44, with Linzy Kearney playing just one half.

3. Harrison (6-2, No. 5): Won past three games, including win over Woodland Park as Kiki Taylor scored 26 for Harrison.

4. Doherty (3-5, unranked): Still below .500, but defeated Class 5A Metro League counterparts Palmer and Mitchell last week.

5. Fountain-Fort Carson (7-2, No. 7):

Won past two games, and held Sand Creek to 19 points in Class 4A Metro opener as Jacque Booker scored 21 points. 6. Coronado (5-3, No. 6): Beat Mitchell in Class 5A Metro opener with Liz Bitz and Karen Dawkins scoring 24 and 20, respectively.

7. Lewis-Palmer (6-3, No. 7): Won four of past five games, including one-point victories over 4A Metro foes Pine Creek (46-45) and Sierra (37-36).

8. Pine Creek (7-2 No. 9): Bounced back to win past two games after consecutive one-point losses to top-10 teams (Coronado and Lewis-Palmer).

9. Air Academy (6-3, No. 4): Has dropped two in a row, losing 63- 47 to Palmer and 64-55 to Douglas County, snapping a five-game winning streak.