Crusaders Fifth In Final Push Tacoma Baptist Moving Up To 1a After Beating Tigercats

In grand style, A.D. Russell and his Tacoma Baptist Crusaders said farewell to the Spokane Arena on Saturday.

Moments after the buzzer sounded on Tac-Bap’s 78-72 win over LaCrosse-Washtucna, Russell, streaking downcourt with a loose ball, executed a fancy jam.

“I’ve done that a couple of times (when it counts),” Russell said of the jam.

“This is the best day of my life.”

The win gave the Crusaders (25-3) fifth place at the 55th boys State B basketball tournament. Tac-Bap had placed eighth during Russell’s sophomore and junior seasons.

While Russell selects among three or more colleges, the rest of the young Crusaders will follow their destiny to another city. The Tacoma private school’s enrollment has grown enough to leave the B’s for 1A.

“This was our last time, so we went out on a high note,” said Russell, a slim, 6-foot-8 post. “I’d like to say thanks to Spokane. It’s been great being here.”

Russell compiled 15 points and 18 rebounds Saturday, giving him 128 points and 100 rebounds for his state tournament career.

Crusaders junior guard Caleb Shamp hit six 3-pointers and scored 26. A State B participant since his freshman year, Shamp finished with 127 career points.

Tac-Bap’s pattern for the two previous years was to lose its state opener, win two straight, then drop Saturday’s game for fifth and eighth places.

“We call it the Tacoma Baptist curse,” said Russell, whose Crusaders opened the ‘97 tourney with a last-second loss to ultimate title-game participant Republic.

The game vs. L-W (27-5) ebbed and flowed until TB made seven free throws during the final 1:13 of overtime. Reserve Trigbe Feltus scored six points during an 8-2 run that erased the Tigercats’ 68-67 lead.

L-W’s Clint Ledbetter hit two free throws with 1:06 left in regulation for a 65-63 lead. Russell’s basket over Ledbetter 20 seconds later forced OT.

The Tigercats had several chances to take charge, but too often played with an undisciplined style.

“If (the players) didn’t feel bad about not getting better every game, that’s the way I would want them to feel,” said L-W coach Andy Stinson.

Stinson said Tac-Bap’s state experience paid dividends. L-W hadn’t been to state before as a consolidated team.

Russell agreed, citing his nervousness during his sophomore year, 1995. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo