Story Photos
 Photo by Bill Wagner The Lumberjack has overseen its share of Civil War basketball games. R.A. Long coach Kyle Fowler, left and Mark Morris coach Bill Bakamus lead their teams into the 100th Civil War game Friday at R.A. Long's Lumberdome. |
'Nowhere to hide'
Thursday, January 20, 2005 8:22 AM PST
By Rick S. Alvord
Printable version
E-mail this articleIf they played basketball in ancient Rome, the gladiators in short pants would have been right at home in a venue such as R.A. Long High School's renowned Lumberdome.
After all, warriors doing battle in a pit-like arena is part of gladiator lore. Let your mind wander far enough and you can almost see Russell Crowe ---- the name "MAXIMUS" stitched on the back of his jersey ---- shooting free throws as the enemy crowd jeers in unison.
Air ball? Off with his head!
So it seems fitting that Friday's 100th Civil War boys basketball game between cross-town rivals Mark Morris and R.A. Long will be played in the 1930s-era Lumberdome.
Where the intensity level soars through the crackerbox roof.
Where the action is so close, fans can ---- quite literally ---- reach out and touch the players.
Where ancient Rome comes to life each winter in one of the state's finest hoop rivalries.
Friday's game, however, will be more "Lumberdome Lite" than "Lumberdome Lunacy." Instead of the typical overflowing Civil War crowd of about 2,500 (or more), the fire marshal has asked the school to limit the number of tickets sold to 1,388 ---- the gym's official fire-code capacity.
But just because onlookers won't be tucked into every broom closet and cranny the gym has to offer doesn't mean it won't be a festive atmosphere.
The circus is still coming to Nichols Boulevard.
For those hoop-starved souls who haven't witnessed a Civil War, Lumberdome style, it's nearly impossible to describe.
For starters, the place is unique.
Total distance between the baseline and the wall, at either end of the court: 43 inches.
Total distance between the sideline and the raucous R.A. Long student section: 65 inches.
"I've never been back to Indiana, but I have a feeling many of the gyms back there either are or were a lot like the Lumberdome," said Mark Morris coach Bill Bakamus, who has been right at home in enemy territory, boasting an 11-2 career mark at RAL. "It has a real traditional feeling to it. There is nowhere to hide. Everything you say or do, it's right there.
"And the balconies almost have an eeriness to them. It's odd to have people hanging over balconies watching you," Bakamus added. "It's almost like the fans are right on you. It adds to the excitement."
Kyle Fowler has experienced the Civil War as a player, spectator and coach. The Lumberjacks' head coach says playing the Monarchs in the Lumberdome is a special event, no matter what his role.
"It doesn't matter. As a player, as a spectator, as a coach ... the intensity level and excitement is always there," said Fowler, a former RAL center who has guided the Jacks to an 11-3 overall record and 4-2 mark in the Greater St. Helens 3A League (tied for second place with Columbia River and Camas). "The loudness is what makes it unique, too. You can't hear plays. At Mark Morris, you can hear everything that happens on the court and on the sidelines. This is a more intense, loud and desirable place to play a game like this.
"I've had coaches come in here and talk about what an advantage it must be to play in this place because of the atmosphere," Fowler added. "When you play a Civil War game at Mark Morris, it usually comes down to X's and O's, and who executes better. When you play a Civil War game at the Lumberdome, it's usually who wants it more. It's all about desire and enthusiasm."
Bakamus and Fowler were involved in one of the more memorable Civil War moments last year at the Lumberdome when they exchanged words in front of the scorer's table. But on Wednesday, the Old West Side neighbors gathered at the site of Friday's historic game for a photo and to swap stories about their Tuesday victories.
The mood was light and fun.
It will be different Friday.
"I've always enjoyed taking my teams into their gym," said Bakamus, who claims the secret to some of his teams' Dome success has been learning to deal with the added noise. "It'll be loud again, I don't care how many people are there. In the past, we've had music playing over our speakers in the gym during practice to simulate how noisy it can get. Me, I just try to coach. It's up to my kids to communicate."
Bakamus has preached the same prescribed method of conquering the Lumberdome to each of his teams.
"Get them mentally focused to go in there. They have to be prepared for the environment, but they can't be worried about the fans or the humidity," he said. "Our kids know it's a special game. Over the years, there have been some historical battles. The district championship a few years back (won by RAL at St. Martin's Pavilion), the times we've played for the league championship on our court ...
"The 100th game only comes around once," Bakamus said. "Being the traditionalist I am, I love events like these. All of the build-up is fun. It's a historic event and we're happy to be part of it."
Bakamus' fourth-ranked Monarchs (13-1, 6-0 league) are coming off a 52-48 home victory over Columbia River on Tuesday, a game they trailed by a point with two minutes remaining.
Fowler's Jacks won a wild 63-60 overtime thriller Tuesday at Washougal, rallying from an 11-point deficit with 1:30 remaining in regulation to tie it. They practiced Wednesday morning at 5:30 because a wrestling match was being held in the Lumberdome that evening.
Maybe it was lack of sleep, or maybe it was just vintage Fowler. But the Lumberjack boss got emotional about Friday's game when addressing his team Wednesday morning.
"It put tears in my eyes talking about it," he said. "To me, the 100th game is special. It's something these kids will talk about with their grandkids and families. When they grow up and get married, they'll talk about this game. And to have it in our gym, in the ol' Lumberdome, is very special."
Rick S. Alvord is sports editor of The Daily News. He can be reached at ralvord@tdn.com or 577-2527.
Past Month's Most Commented Stories