Lindbergh boys basketball stays unbeaten in new year

James Huff IV scores 27 leading the way for the Eagles.

Over the past two years in the month of January, the Lindbergh High School boys basketball team has been the hottest they have been in either season when the calendar flips.

With a win on Jan. 27 over Evergreen, 75-54, over the past two seasons Lindbergh has a record of 11-2, their best month by far.

The Eagles were tasked with back-to-back games against the Wolverines and won their sixth straight game in a row — and are unbeaten in the new year.

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“Things are just clicking. We have been preaching all year, play together and play defense. Chemistry is there, and we are taking off at the right time and guys are bought in and seeing the fruit of their labor,” Head Coach Abraham Garcia said.

There are just three games left on the Eagles’ schedule, then the KingCo tournament, followed by the district tournament. At this point in the season, Lindbergh is playing their best ball, according to Garcia.

In terms of what he wants to see, Garcia is looking for nothing more than consistency.

“I can confidently say, they are ready now… Come KingCo time and come district time, I think we are going to be a team a lot of these teams don’t want to see,” Garcia said.

Against Evergreen, the Eagles got going from the opening tip. A 12-0 run jump-started Lindbergh, and Evergreen was never quite able to catch up. But the Wolverines gave it a run, going on a 10-3 run to close out the first quarter. Oliver Talmadge hit a pair of three-pointers to give Lindbergh a 15-10 lead after the first.

“Coming out with a strong start really sets the tone for the rest of the game. If you come in first quarter and blow them out of the water, they don’t even want to play anymore,” said Junior James Huff IV.

Huff IV got cooking in the second quarter — he totaled 12 points in the second frame and asserted his dominance on the game. Huff finished the game with 27 points, five rebounds and three blocks, leading the game in scoring.

Coming out of halftime, Huff was a dominant force. When he’s rolling, Huff is head and shoulders above the competition. When paired up with John Choul and Lukas Lutthans, the trio can cause a lot of problems for whoever has the different colored jersey.

“We all clicked our first year. We all know how to get each other the ball and score in different areas of the court. I know where Lukas’ hot spots are and what John is good at. If I see an opportunity for them, I’m gonna get it to them. If they see an opportunity for me, they are gonna get it to me,” Huff said.

Lutthans finished with 11 points as the only other Eagle in double figures. Choul and Talmadge both had eight points.

Defensively, the Eagles’ effort dropped in the second half. The Wolverines scored 35 points in the second half, which is a point less than they scored the entire game the first time these two teams matched up.

“Allowing them to score 54 is not something you want to see as a coach,” Garcia said.

Lindbergh is at the top of the standings in the KingCo Lake division, with a 6-1 league record, and the Eagles have the same league record as Foster. Back on Jan. 7, Lindbergh defeated the Bulldogs, 67-53.

“Mentally if we can beat them again, it gives us a little edge over them. The guys will be ready,” said Garcia.

The Eagles will have the third seed in the KingCo Tournament and a guaranteed spot in the district tournament.

“I’d say we are ready and ready to get this KingCo Championship,” Huff said.

Senior John Choul fights through contact for a lay-up against Evergreen. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Senior John Choul fights through contact for a lay-up against Evergreen. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Oliver Talmadge takes a three against Evergreen. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Oliver Talmadge takes a three against Evergreen. Ben Ray / The Reporter