The basketball season is long over, but one year ago, Saturday, the 2005-2006 season ended with an improbably state title to cap off a remarkable and unexpected run.
The team’s success lived and died with the play of Jeremy Lin, Steven Brown, Brad Lehman, Cooper Miller, Kevin Trimble and Kheaton Scott. Years of playing together culminated in the biggest win in Paly history.
In a St. Patrick’s Day thriller, the green Vikings were supposed to be destroyed by powerhouse Mater Dei. Never favored to win or given any respect, the Vikings shocked everyone with the 51-47 upset victory to win the CIF Division II championship.
Six seniors walked onto the court expected by many to fall in their final high school game, but they left the court as winners in every sense of the word. A year later, those six teammates are spread throughout the country putting the skills and values they gained from their basketball experiences to other uses.
Point guard and offensive guru Lin was the catalyst for the Vikings offense. He made everyone around him better, drawing double teams and dishing to open teammates. He made every big shot asked of him, including a bank shot three-pointer from NBA ranger to break Mater Dei’s back in the title game.
“One of my favorite memories was Senior Night,” Lin said. “I will never forget it because I was able to celebrate our careers at Paly. The best part was being able to be there with my parents, who gave me every possible chance to succeed and play basketball.”
As a member of the Harvard basketball team, Lin comes off the bench, averaging four points, two assists, and two rebounds per game. Lin scored a career high 12 points in a win over Dartmouth. As a student, Lin hopes to major in economics or environmental policy.
Guard/forward Brown was an opposing coach’s nightmare. At 6’5″ with long arms, Brown could not only post up and defend the perimeter, but he had three-point range, leading the team in three-pointers.
“I will always remember the guys on the team,” Brown said. “We had a great friendship on and off the court and playing ball this year I realize how much a difference that makes to a team’s success.”
Brown now attends St. Thomas Moore, a prep school in Connecticut. Brown misses having true fans in the stands instead of the scouts that fill his gym now. Brown hopes to transfer after this season and play for a Division I NCAA team.
Guard Lehman had a pure touch and was an excellent defender. Lehman’s seven straight points completed the miraculous comeback over Archbishop Mitty in the NorCal championship game, sending the Viking to the state title showdown with Mater Dei.
Lehman attends Santa Clara University, and hopes to make the squad next year, when many of the team’s guards graduate.
Forward Miller was the Vikings’ best defender, often shutting down the opponent star player. Miller added consistent offense support to go along with his physical defensive play.
Ironically, after years of basketball and only his senior season playing football, Miller made the California Bears football team as a walk-on. He does not play basketball any longer but hopes to get more playing time on the gridiron.
Guard Trimble was the Vikings’ sixth man, always coming off the bench hot, nailing three-pointers. Known as the “Albino Rhino,” Trimble could put a dagger in the heart of any team that forgot about him.
“I remember every time we would run out on to the floor to warm up
and the crowd would start yelling and going crazy,” Trimble said. “The adrenaline rush
was unbelievable.”
Now at Wake Forest University, Trimble made the final cuts for the Demon Deacons, but was not offered a walk-on spot. He hopes to try next season, but for now, he plays intramurals.
Center Scott at only 6’1″ was a force inside despite his size. Scott could outjump anyone, including Mater Dei’s Alex Jacobson who, at 7’1″, stood a foot taller than Scott. Scott averaged double-digits in points and brought energy and excitement to the team whenever he took the floor.
“I remember how close our team was, and how much respect everyone had for each other,” Scott said.
At Howard University, Scott plays for the club basketball team and is the only freshman on the team. Scott remains undecided on his major and hopes to keep playing basketball as long as someone will let him.
The only reminders of that magical season are head coach Peter Diepenbrock and a banner hanging in the gym, a court the seniors never lost on. One year after going out on top, the Stellar Six may not be playing together anymore, but for one night and one season, the six Paly seniors had something special.