PREP BOYS' BASKETBALL: Chunphakvenn scores 32 to lead Storm over Mariners
MICHELLE NOLAN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
BELLINGHAM - It only seemed as though Patrick Voeut was back on the court, performing in the dynamic, versatile style that led Squalicum to the past two straight Class 2A state boys' basketball championships.
Instead, it was junior point guard Joseph Chunphakvenn - Voeut's brother - who astonished the large home crowd with a whirlwind 32-point performance to lead the Storm to a 59-52 victory over Sehome on Tuesday, Dec. 14.
"People say we look like each other and they say we play like each other," said Chunphakvenn.
The junior's name was misspelled in the game program, but there's little doubt the proper spelling won't be well known if he keeps playing like he did for the Storm (2-1) on Tuesday, which handed Sehome (3-1) its first non-league loss.
The 5-foot-8 Chunphakvenn went 12 for 15 from the floor, hitting five 3-pointers, and contributed seven rebounds and five assists in a very Voeut-like effort.
"I saw Patrick come in to watch while I was warming up, and that made me feel very good," he said of Voeut, now playing for Whatcom Community College. "He's worked a lot with me over the years. I was really surprised (to have such a big game) - the most points I ever scored was 29 in an AAU game."
It wasn't total loss for the Mariners, though. Sehome fell behind late in the third quarter by as much as 40-22, so the Mariners earned some credit by outscoring the Storm 30-17 over the final 10 minutes, with seniors Colin Peterson and John Albert and sophomore Titi Lamositele, who entered in the fourth quarter and scored seven points, leading the way.
Chunphakvenn, however, put a fitting capper on a memorable night by scoring on a fast-breaking layup off a long pass from Jeremy King, whose eight rebounds and three assists were vital for the Storm.
"Joseph is becoming his own player," said Squalicum coach Dave Dickson. "He has really picked up the work ethic since we talked about it, and it sure paid off tonight."
Chunphakvenn scored all eight of Squalicum's first-quarter points, including a basket off a steal and a pair of 3-pointers, the second on what appeared to be an alley-oop pass, but ended up scoring a basket. It was that type of night for the quick junior.
However, the fascinating thing about this inexperienced Storm team was how six players scored on as many different shots in the second quarter, giving Squalicum a 23-15 halftime lead. The Storm enjoyed a 16-0 run in the first half for a 16-6 lead after the Mariners scored the first six points.
In the second quarter, junior reserve Neilan Pierce hit a jumper from the corner, followed by a 3 from senior Travis Kurtz, a layup by 6-6 junior Nathan Mattix off a nifty pass from Chunphakvenn, a Chunphakvenn layup, a King layup off Pierce's pass and a 3 from the corner from junior Zerek Csolti.
Dickson couldn't have asked for better teamwork during that stretch.
Peterson led Sehome with 17 points, including a 3 pointer with 38 seconds remaining, slicing the Storm's lead to 57-52. But that was it for the Mariners. Kurtz foiled Sehome's comeback bid with a pair of drives in the final two minutes.
Sehome's Albert finished with a game-high 14 rebounds and senior guard Danny Stonedahl earned points for sheer hustle and seven free throws in eight attempts.
"We'll improve on a weekly basis," said Dickson. "This team has a huge upside and I do expect quantum improvements. We're figuring out who we are. These guys are unselfish and coachable, and I can't ask for more than that."
Squalicum's only returning starter, Christopher Qualls, sat out for undisclosed reasons.
"We had a great week of practice, and that's where we're gaining our confidence," said Kurtz, a valuable reserve on last year's state champion.
"All our work is really becoming worth it," said Chunphakvenn.
At least everyone will now know who he is and how to spell his name.
SQUALICUM 59, SEHOME 52
Sehome 6 9 12 25 - 52
Squalicum 8 15 19 17 - 59
Sehome: Colin Peterson 17, Danny Stonedahl 7, John Albert 7, Geordie Marriner 4, Charlie Linneman 5, Konstantin Andrushenko 5, Titi Lamositele 7, Kevin Virk 0, Jake Lester 0. Team totals: 16-52 17-20 52.
Squalicum: Joseph Chunphakvenn 32, Travis Kurtz 8, Zerek Csolti 3, Nathan Mattix 8, Jeremy King 2, Neilan Pierce 4, Trevor Herndon 2, Blake Youtsey 0. Team totals: 24-57 4-7 59.
3-ptg: Sehome 3 (Peterson 2); Squalicum 7 (Chunphakvenn 5). Rebounds: Sehome 38 (Albert 14); Squalicum 35 (King 8). Assists: Sehome 7 (Albert 3); Squalicum 12 (Chunphakvenn 5). Fouls: Sehome 10, Squalicum 17.
Read more: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/12/14/1771557/prep-boys-basketball-chunphakvenn.html
