Community Sports
Gig Harbor boys basketball: Tides looking for return trip to state
The Gig Harbor boys basketball team, coming off a successful 2021-22 season in which the Tides reached the state tournament, have begun this season 3-1 for head coach Billy Landram.
The Tides reached the Class 3A state tournament quarterfinals last year with a 23-5 record, won the South Sound Conference championship and were undefeated at home.
At state last year, Gig Harbor was eliminated by eventual runner-up Rainier Beach by five points in a contest the Tides led in the fourth quarter. The effort served notice that Gig Harbor was for real and worthy of statewide respect.
Key returners
Gig Harbor lost three talented seniors from that team in Asher Raquiza, Ryan Pickles and Parker Born. But they return their two leading scorers in 6-foot-6 shooting guard Luke Browne, who averaged 21.1 points per game, and 6-foot-6 shooting guard Will Landram, who averaged 14.9 points per game.
Will Landram pushes the pace for Gig Harbor during a game last year. Christi Adams
In addition, hustling 5-foot-10 point guard Christian Parrish, the reigning SSC defensive player of the year, is back to harass opponents with his physical style.
Brit Born, a 6-foot-4 senior, steps into the shoes of his graduated brother Parker at center. Scrappy 6-foot-2 sophomore Cole Browne is the squad’s sixth man.
The Tides added an athletic player and great passer in 6-foot-1 guard KeVaughn Harvey, who transferred from South Kitsap after being named All-South Puget Sound League last year.
Early results
The Tides began this year with a 56-43 victory over Blanchet of Seattle’s Metro League. The Tides received balanced scoring from their guards as Parrish, Harvey and Landram penetrated the lane for layups while Blanchet concentrated on defending the Tides’ perimeter shooting.
The next game was at the Metro’s Ingraham Rams, who played some zone defense to stop the Tides’ penetration and paid for it when Luke Browne went 7 for 10 from three point range on his way to a game-high 32 points.
Luke Browne drills a contested three with 10 seconds to go to tie the score against Mountlake Terrace. Browne had 26 points in the state tournament game. Photo by Christi Adams Christi Adams
The change in defensive philosophy between games highlights why it’s so difficult to contain Gig Harbor. It’s a pick-your-poison situation for defenses. If you over-play the perimeter, the Tides will drive; if you pack it in and defend the paint, it’s bombs away from distance.
The Tides applied their full-court defensive pressure to cause multiple turnovers against the Rams and won easily, 63-35. They did much the same in their next game, dismantling an overmatched River Ridge squad 80-14 at home.
First loss
The Tides ran into a buzzsaw in their next game at Timberline, losing 70-56. The flu bug spread throughout the team.
Luke Browne had missed the River Ridge game with the flu and tried to play the following night against Timberline, but still felt the effects from the illness. Landram led the Tides in scoring, but the Blazers’ press forced too many turnovers to overcome and the Tides missed several makeable inside shots.
The Tides split with the Blazers last year and will have an opportunity to get healthy and even the series on Jan 25 in what should be a packed Gig Harbor gymnasium.
Tides guard KeVaughn Harvey throws a laser pass for a layup in a game against River Ridge. Bryce Carithers
Key players
Starters
Brit Born | 6-foot-4 senior center
Born provides a physical presence in the paint for the Tides as a tough, unselfish player who concentrates on defense and rebounding. He is a rim protector and a valuable screen setter in the Tides’ motion offense. He moves to open spots well and generally looks to help facilitate the offense and guard the opposing team’s big.
Luke Browne | 6-foot-6 senior shooting guard
Browne is a highly skilled player who led the Tides in scoring and rebounding last year. He’s a long-range sniper who attacks the rim as well. He led the state in ’21-’22 with 98 three-pointers, setting two school records. Browne averaged 22.0 points per game in the postseason and ended the season making 21 consecutive free throws. He can drive, pass or post up. The three-time all-league player has already scored more than 1,100 points in his high school career.
KeVaughn Harvey | 6-foot-1 senior shooting guard
Harvey provides infectious energy on both ends of the court. He has long arms and quick feet and is a menace on the defensive end. He combines that with the ability to find open teammates with bullet passes. Harvey is an effective scorer who can get to the hoop in transition and is a very competitive player who brings emotional intensity to each game he plays.
Will Landram | 6-foot-6 senior shooting guard
Landram just finished a successful football campaign as an all-league quarterback. The long and lean Landram was second on the team in scoring and rebounding last year, averaging 14.9 points per game and earning an all-SSC nod. He led the team in field goal percentage last year and often played above the rim with numerous dunks. Landram plays the passing lanes well and looks to score in transition. He displays a high basketball IQ as a coach’s son and may be most dangerous playing as a point forward, as he can handle the ball and displays good court vision.
Gig Harbor guard Christian Parrish races up court against Mercer Island last year. Jerry Chung
Christian Parrish | 5-foot-10 senior point guard
Parrish, the Tides’ speedy point guard, just finished an all-SSC conference football season as a ball-hawking cornerback. He plays basketball the same way. The league defensive player of the year in ’20-21, he is after the school’s single-season steals record. An excellent dribbler and penetrator, he averaged 10.1 points per game last year but would rather rack up assists.
The Tides’ starting five started playing AAU ball together in the fourth grade and will rely on their chemistry as they march through their upcoming schedule.
Reserves
Cole Browne | 6-foot-2 sophomore PG/SG
Browne is an aggressive player who plays an important sixth-man role for the Tides. He is a multifaceted spark plug who gained valuable experience last year as the team’s only freshman. Browne brings a toughness on defense and is a capable shooter and passer. He showed his versatility against River Ridge with six rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Benji Park | 6-foot-5 junior PF/C
Park joins the team after a successful stint on the junior varsity last year. He provides a durable presence in the middle and is athletic enough to run the break and fill the lane. He is a willing defender who has moved up the depth chart by providing energy and hustle.
Luke Allison | 6-foot-8 junior PF/C
Allison shows flashes of the post presence that the Tides need but has been working his way back from the flu bug. A transfer from Bothell last year, he is blessed with tremendous size and raw power. He has a quick drop step and often goes to a jump hook to score around the basket. The Tides need him as a rebounder, defender and low-post scorer.
Drake Matthies | 6-foot-2 junior SG
Matthies is a smooth athlete with a burst to the hoop. He just finished a successful football season as a wide receiver and brings many intangibles to the basketball court. He has the foot speed to cover perimeter defenders and is an aggressive driver of the basketball.
The squad is rounded out by athletic junior guard Logan Parrish as well as seniors Owen Longano and crowd favorite Nic Fortney.
Coach Landram’s coaching staff include JV coach Shane Sheppard, Brian Born and Corey Schwab.
Tides sophomore guard Cole Browne scores on a reverse layup in a game played last year. Christi Adams
Remaining schedule
All games 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted
- Wednesday, Dec. 14: vs Central Kitsap
- Saturday, Dec. 17: at Yelm
- Wednesday, Dec. 21: at Aberdeen
- Thursday, Dec. 22: vs. Lynden, 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 28: Coral Shores, Florida
- Thursday, Dec. 29: Key West, Florida
- Wednesday, Jan. 4: vs. Capital
- Friday, Jan. 6: at North Thurston
- Wednesday, Jan. 11: at Peninsula
- Friday, Jan. 13: vs. Yelm
- Wednesday, Jan. 18: at River Ridge
- Friday, Jan. 20: at Central Kitsap
- Wednesday, Jan. 25: vs Timberline
- Friday, Jan. 27: at Capital
- Tuesday Jan. 31: vs North Thurston
- Thursday, Feb. 2: vs Peninsula