Tinney Brings Scoring From Afar -- Highline Cc Team Welcomes Shooting Of Seattle U. Player
BURIEN - After a year in the city, Wade Tinney decided that he is a country boy after all.
For Tinney, who was raised in rural Enumclaw, it was an easy decision. He spent one year in the city at Seattle University, but felt he needed a change.
Tinney moved to the suburbs, and the Highline Community College men's basketball team is glad he did. The Thunderbirds can use a guy 6 feet 6 who can score inside and outside.
Tinney set a school record for three-pointers in a game against Centralia, and with 35 threes this season, probably will break the Highline school mark of 55.
"He'll crush the record," said Highline Coach John Dunn, in his second season after taking over for Joe Callero. "He can just flat shoot the basketball."
After finishing his high-school career in Enumclaw, Tinney was recruited by Seattle U. Coach Bob Johnson.
But before the season started, Johnson was fired and replaced by former Garfield Coach Al Hairston. Tinney stayed for his freshman season, but decided to leave.
"I didn't like living downtown," Tinney said. "The school was good and playing at Seattle U. was OK, but it wasn't for me.
"I'm from a small town where everybody knows everybody. Living downtown and not knowing many people was like culture shock."
When Tinney left Seattle U., he didn't just leave the school, he left organized basketball for a while. Tinney worked for King County in the maintenance department before deciding to move to
California for a month "to hang out."
Dunn knew Tinney had transferred and probably someday would surface at a school playing basketball. Dunn wanted it to be at Highline.
While Tinney lived in San Diego sharing a one-bedroom apartment with two friends, Dunn was on the phone, trying to figure out how to lure him to Highline.
Tinney stayed in shape during his season away from basketball by lifting weights and playing pick-up games, but it wasn't the same. He wanted to get back to school.
One day last spring, Tinney showed up at Dunn's weight-training class at Highline. The two talked after class and Tinney soon was enrolled at Highline.
"There was a time I didn't know what I wanted to do," Tinney said. "I worked for a while, moved to California and got away from everything. After a while, I knew I wanted to get back."
For Dunn, it was the announcement he had hoped to get.
"He was impossible to get in touch with," Dunn said. "Finally, after 100 phone calls and becoming good friends with his mom on the phone, we talked. I was surprised when he showed up at school, but I knew then we had a chance to get him."
Tinney used his first year of eligibility at Seattle U., so he has just this season left. So far, he's made the most of it.
He has displayed a deft touch from outside and has the inside game to match. But Tinney quickly admits he would rather shoot from long range than rumble inside.
"In high school, I played inside because that's where I was needed," Tinney said. "But I've worked hard on my shot to open up my game."
HIGHLINE MEN
Location - 2400 S. 240th Street, Des Moines.
Nickname - Thunderbirds.
Current record - 9-1.
1992-93 record - 7-5 league; 15-13 overall.
Coach - John Dunn, second year.
Returning players - F Steve Baines, 6-5, so.; F Diallo Redd, 6-4, so; F Adam Buchan, 6-6, so.
Key newcomers - F Wade Tinney, 6-6, so.; G Damien Crump, 6-4, so; G K.C. Callero, 6-0, so.; F Kenny Robinson, 6-4, fr.; F Eric Scharmer, 6-6, fr.; G Tyler Geving, 6-1, so.
Outlook - A fast start to open the season has given Highline hope for a strong finish in league. New players will all contribute. Size is outstanding and depth will be solid.
HIGHLINE WOMEN
Location - 2400 S. 240th Street, Des Moines.
Nickname - Thunderbirds.
Current record - 7-3.
1992-93 record - 3-9 league; 6-21 overall.
Coach - Mary Artz, second year.
Returning players - G Jennifer Johnson, 5-6, so.; F Anne Laufasa, 5-10, so.; G Tammy Arntzen, 5-7, so.; F Angie Frye, 5-11, so.; F Becky Wisczmann, 5-10, so.
Key newcomers - G Sara Fredrickson, 5-6, fr.; F Tami Bohl, 5-10, fr.; F Jodi Clinton, 6-1, fr.; G Mary Blowe, 5-6, fr.; G Elena Antaran, 5-6, fr.
Outlook - With seven wins, Highline has already surpassed last season's total of six. Experience is good, especially with veterans such as Johnson and Laufasa, who took last season off and are back. Newcomer Fredrickson has been an instant help.
GREEN RIVER MEN
Location - 12401 S.E. 320th Street, Auburn.
Nickname - Gators.
Current record 4-4.
1992-93 record - 7-7 league; 10-16 overall.
Coach - Matt Thacker, second year.
Returning players - C Adam Dean, 6-9, so.; F Eric Lee, 6-7, so.; G Adam Skagen, 6-3, so.; G Phil Corbin, 6-2, so.; G Tom Atkinson, 6-2, so.; G Jeff Carr, 6-0, so.
Key newcomers - G Mark Tichnor, 6-0, fr.; G Scott Furman, 6-3, fr.; F Joel Bredecker, 6-5, fr.; F Wendall Krohn, 6-5, so.; G Brad Ritchie, 5-10, fr.
Outlook - With two starters and several lettermen back, Green River is one of the most experienced teams in the league. The Gators beat Bellevue in their first game, snapping Bellevue's 29-game win streak. Size and depth are good, wins should follow.
GREEN RIVER WOMEN
Location - 12401 S.E. 320th Street, Auburn.
Nickname - Gators.
Current record - 8-3.
1992-93 record - 7-7 league; 13-13 overall.
Coach - Gary Nichols, second year.
Returning players - F Michelle Penney, 5-11, so.; F Paige Kernkamp, 5-10, so.
Key newcomers - G Chelan Tabler, 5-6, so.; G Sage Marts, 5-7, fr.; F Yvonne Speer, 5-10, fr.; G Erin Halpin, 5-9, fr.; F Karen Spezialy, 5-10, fr.
Outlook - After going 3-1 in a Christmas tournament in San Diego, Green River has confidence. The Gators will need some after losing all five starters. But the group of new players is good and Penney was a part-time starter last season.