Once when he was interviewed about the characteristics a true shooter must possess, Boston Celtics great Larry Bird discussed many traits, but summed it up with one simple statement: “You never make any of the shots you never take”. While I can’t guarantee he ever read that quote, I can promise you once he stepped inside the 94x50, it was the mantra that Tom Niva lived by.
At 6’4”, the 1995 graduate was anything but your traditional “post” player. He was more than able to get his down low, but the excitement started every time he caught the ball behind the arc. That’s because if there was any glimmer of daylight between him and his defender, the ball was going up. And more likely than not, it was going in. The sharpshooting Niva combined with Jessen Schilaty to form a dynamic scoring combination, leading the 1995 team to a WesCo Championship and a 5th place triumph at the State Tournament.
As his teammate, I saw a guy that had a bottomless bucket of confidenceJ Whether he was defending an opposing post player that was a half foot taller than him, or taking that aforementioned big man out to the perimeter so he could absolutely abuse him on the other end, he was fearless. It was an attitude that was infectious to the team, and created a level of internal belief and bravado that we couldn’t be touched.
This was personified in the Winner-to-State game against Cascade in the District Tournament. The Bruins had two 6’8” post players in Oregon State-signee Iyan Walker and future Alaska-Fairbanks post Mike Jones. Tom was Everett’s tallest player, and drew the assignment of the future Pac-10 standout. The two teams were engaged in a tight back and forth battle, when with 4:00 minutes left and the Gulls holding a two point lead, I witnessed the craziest thing I ever saw on a basketball court.
All I can recall was Kurt Koshelnik drove through traffic in the lane, and he dished to Tom, who was cutting in from the right wing. Between Niva and the basket was the 6’9” Walker, who was the WesCo equivalent of Dikembe Mutombo in the paint. Tom made one dribble, took off from just inside the block, and proceeded to dunk with authority over one of the most intimidating shot blockers on the West Coast. I lost my damn mind. I have never, and I mean NEVER – before or since – been that hyped on a basketball court. Tom Niva had never dunked before in a basketball game. Ever. And in typical Niva fashion, he had just done what seemed impossible, en route to helping lead us to a tourney berth that many thought was impossible. I absolutely loved playing with this dude.
So if you find yourself guarding Tom during the Alumni Tournament, and he’s got the ball and he’s posting you 20 feet from the basket, just know that shot’s going up. And just like 1995, more than likely it’s going in.
----------------
EHS Alumni Basketball – What years did you participate in the Seagull basketball program?
Tom Niva – I participated in the Seagull program from 1991-1995
EHS AB – Before you were in high school, what events led to you knowing you wanted to play ball at Everett?
TN – My Mom was a Seagull and my brother Steve played basketball there. I remember going to games and watching Chris Chandler, David Vik and others growing up. My brother and I would play below the stands and Mr. Earl would always find my brother and I making trouble.
EHS AB – Tell us a little bit about the group of guys you grew up playing with.
TN – I grew up playing with a group at the Boy’s and Girls Club of Mukilteo. Some of that group ended up at Kamiak/Mariner and Cascade. Evergreen Middle School is where we had an excellent group that ended up constituting 3 of the 5 starters in the State Championship my senior year when we finished 5th in State. No one All Star more important than the rest, just a good group of players that understood their roles and talents.
EHS AB – What are some of your most unforgettable moments you recall from your playing days?
TN – Unforgettable Moments… There were many… But our winner to state game against Cascade is the first that comes to mind. Jessen Schilaty and I had career games with over 25 points each and I dunked on Ian Walker (All State Player) with 4 minutes left in the game. The other is losing to the eventual state champion Evergreen. Not our best game, but the best example of what Seagull Tradition is all about. We regrouped as a team and won the rest of our games to finish 5th. That’s what the tradition of Everett High is all about. No one ever thinks Everett High is going to win, except for those who are from Everett.
EHS AB – What was the best team you were a part of during your time at Everett High? What made you guys great?
TN – The best team was the Senior Season with some veteran leadership and young talent. What made us great? We were a TEAM> We had some fine players, but we were so unselfish and it was all about reaching our goals and not worrying about who else was out there. We truly, were not afraid of any team we played.
EHS AB – What opposing team do you recall having extraordinary battles with? How did you guys fare in those battles?
TN – Cascade was an obvious must win for us. The winner to state game was about as intense as it could get. Packing the house at Snohomish for the game with a standing room only, no seats were left. Any game at the Pit was also fantastic. Being able to build a large enough crowd to pull out the extra bleachers was money!
EHS AB – Who was the best player you recall going toe-to-toe with?
TN – The best players were Kyle Sweet from Snohomish and Ian Walker. Both 6’7 and 6’9 and excellent in the post. Good thing they were never comfortable around the 3 point line, which is where I had the most fun.
EHS AB – Who was the teammate you enjoyed playing with the most? How did that individual bring the best out of everyone else?
TN – I enjoyed playing with the entire group. If I had to pick one, it would Chuck Schelle. Chuck and I grew up playing with one another since age 6 in the Boy’s Club Days. We played at Evergreen Middle School together and through High school. Chuck was completely unselfish and understood his role on the team and made the big shots when he had to. He had a HUGE fan following from many of the EHS fans which also made for a big boost in support. Just good people like Chuck that make teams like ours click.
EHS AB – Can you recall the most memorable game you played in as a Seagull? What makes that game stand out?
TN – Again, I’ll go back to the Cascade winner to state game. The pressure, the noise and the Team all playing for each other make that win as special as they come.
EHS AB – Looking back on your experience, what traits were you able to take with you to help forge the person you’ve become?
TN – You know, there’s just something about being from Everett and specifically going to Everett High that gives me a sense of responsibility to act in a certain way. Having Darrell Olson as my coach in multiple sports helped teach me that. There will always be a pride in what I do and how I do it that comes from not only my family, but what I do and will always do will represent Everett High School in the best way I can. Being in management now for over 12 years, I continue to reference our 1995 EHS team as a group that didn’t have the best talent, but were definitely the best Team. That’s what EHS will always stand for to me.
EHS AB – If you could give the current group of Seagull basketball players any advice, what would you tell them?
TN – I’ve watched some games over the past couple of years and it’s more than just advice to the team. I think the spark that made EHS Basketball great is more than just talent on the court, it’s the community that backs them. All it takes is having a good group of kids that are committed to excellence and being the best. Advice: Manage the process of being great today… And then again tomorrow. “Winning is not a 1 time thing, but an all the time thing”. Expect the best from the team and the fans, and you’ll find success.
No comments:
Post a Comment