Payback Time For Freeman Scotties Off To State Looking For Redemption

They have a deal for dunks.

When Jeff Hyndman steps onto the basketball court for the Freeman Scotties, he’s always out to prove something to his father, Bill. And to himself.

“My dad and I would talk and if I dunked he would give me $20,” said Hyndman, the Scotties’ 6-foot-4, 170-pound junior post. “He stopped paying me after the fourth or fifth time. Now the bet is if I can get more than one in a game.”

Yet dunking won’t be Hyndman’s top priority this week during the State 1A Tournament in the Tacoma Dome. Last season the Scotties went two-and-out at state.

Each week this season during team meetings, Freeman players have reminded each other of last season’s frustrating finish, Hyndman said.

“Last year our saying was 0 and 2 and barbecue,” Hyndman said. “Last year just getting there was good enough for Freeman. This year we have a mission and that’s to win state.”

Freeman (22-2) defeated Brewster 55-51 Saturday in the Region IV Tournament and brings a 22-game winning streak into its 10:30 a.m. Wednesday opener against Chief Leschi (17-8).

The region’s No. 3 team, Liberty (17-8), faces Seattle Christian (19-5) in the day’s first game at 9 a.m. If the area teams both win or lose, they will meet Thursday.

Hyndman will take the same approach into state that he has all season: to live up to the last game.

“I just try not to lose something,” he said of his stats. “If I gain something, that’s great. The team depends on everybody performing. When somebody lets down, it makes a weak link.”

Hyndman’s consistency is something coach Mike Thacker depends on. Hyndman is averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game.

But Hyndman isn’t satisfied. He plans to spend the summer in the weight room getting stronger. He knows that’s what he has to do to achieve his goal of playing college basketball at Gonzaga.

Thacker would like him to gain 20 pounds of muscle.

Hyndman, 17, was called up to varsity after five games last season as a sophomore. And he made big strides during the summer, when Freeman plays in a league and practices about two times a week.

“Jeff works very hard and is very dedicated to the game of basketball,” Thacker said. “We do quite a bit in the summer. He never misses anything, he’s always there.

“He’s willing to come a little early and stay a little after. He’s willing to learn new moves, and we hope he’ll learn a few more.”

Hyndman says it’s an advantage that he’s left handed and was born with some natural ability. But his parents have never pushed him. Bill and Cis Hyndman have always been supportive in whatever activities their son has chosen, he said.

Hyndman also plays baseball, and used to prefer it to basketball. But now there’s no question.

“Basketball, there’s something about it,” he said. “It’s like a drug; some people have to have it and some people don’t. It’s something I just have to have.”

Thacker has noticed.

“He’s always got something to prove,” the coach said. “He’s a competitor. He wants to go out and compete. He has a hate-to-lose attitude. Sometimes that’s better than a desire to win. A guy who hates to lose digs deep down inside.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: MATCHUPS

State 1A boys at Tacoma Dome, Wednesday Liberty (17-8) vs. Seattle Christian (19-5), 9 a.m.

Freeman (22-2) vs. Chief Leschi (17-8), 10:30 a.m.