How Garfield’s Deep Culture & Community Pioneered Its Hoops Legacy To New Heights

By Dom Skene

The Road To The Dome ended Saturday night in Tacoma as the storied Garfield Basketball program reached a new height. The star-studded Bulldogs swept the 3A Girls & Boys State Championships, an accomplishment which few schools can ever claim. The Lady Bulldogs’ kicked off the Gold Ball Party by defeating Lake Washington 58-49 in the afternoon before the Boys beat O’Dea 69-50.

The Ladies flexed their starting lineup’s versatility. Star Junior Katie Fiso had 13 points, while Imbie Jones led the team with 14. Rakiyah Jackson added 12, Sarah Lessig scored 8 and Jayda Lewis joined in with 7 points as everyone played to close out the win.

The Boys’ Final was taken over by Sophomore Legend Smiley, who announced himself with 30 points on a scorching 10/14 shooting. He went off for 18 in the second half, most of which came in the 3rd Quarter and put the game out of reach. Just six other players needed to score, including Myles Daymon with 14 and Sherell McCullum Jr with 9.

Bulldog legend Brandon Roy won his 3rd Title in charge of the Boys team and 4th as a Head Coach, while Tre Simmons completed the Ladies three-peat in his first season at the helm. While plenty of their players are All-Americans and social media stars and all of them are excellent hoopers, the emotions that came with the historical season showed how human these kids truly are.

The Central District’s prideful school engraved their place in Washington High School Basketball history thanks to a stellar cast of young men and women. The Boys’ team was led by high-profile UConn Commit Jaylin Stewart, who showed his peers how to be part of an all-star cast by elevating others over personal focus in the State Tournament. He only scored 7 points in the Final, but his presence on the floor was a game-breaking matchup that allowed young teammate Legend Smiley to realize his namesake with an all-time performance.

The Girls’ team was led by Fiso, who inspires confidence with her intensity alone. The fiery competitor made it difficult for any team to win a quarter against the Bulldogs during the playoffs. If you did manage to stop her, you’d have to deal with Wisconsin Commit Jones, who solidified the post all year. Perhaps even more amazing is the story of Malia Samuels, a blue-chip prospect who hasn’t played at all for the team due to a knee injury. She graced the court in the final minute to add to the symbolism and inspiration of the night and their season.

Their story began several decades ago, but Garfield’s legacy is breaking barriers for our State’s Prep Basketball scene. From the students and teachers who attend class everyday to the countless legends that have played at the next level, purple and black engulfed the courts and stands of the Tacoma Dome last week. It culminated with Saturday’s displays of pride that represent what High School sports are all about.

Pictures by DCvisuals, Kenny Pleasant, Maria Dorsten