Dominic Robinson is not your prototypical basketball player, but he is the Washington State 4A basketball state tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
The Curtis High Vikings, a 6 seed coming in, walked off with the WIAA 4 A Basketball Trophy in 2013.
Robinson who stands 5’7, and weighs 130 pounds soak and wet was able to
accomplish something that hasn’t been achieved since 1971. Something that a team
constructed of NBA player Isaiah Thomas, Denmark professional basketball player
Chris Sprinker, and former division one basketball player Jordan Rasmussen were
unable to pull off. The Robinson legacy just grew bigger and faster than any other
player in state basketball history.
Curtis came into the state tournament ranked sixth and as a dark horse to take
home the title, but the dream became a reality when the Vikings knocked off
previously unbeaten Jackson 60-56 late Saturday night.
Robinson started the game off by making jump shots, acrobatic layups and even
floating a couple shots over the much taller Jackson defenders. He scored 9 of the
first 11 points for Curtis and gave them an early lead they wouldn’t squander the
rest of the ball game.
Jackson would crawl back into striking range only to get the door slammed on them
by the defensive orientated Vikings. Coach Tim Kelly was quick to blame the strong
defensive performance that led them to the victory.
“Sometimes your going to struggle on the offensive end, shots aren’t going to fall, a
ball might not bounce your way, but you can come down here and grind down stops
and work to get stops and make people take tough shots, and rebound; that’s what
wins games,” Kelly said.
Curtis used the help of Isom Brown and Andre Lewis late in the game to attack
Jackson’s Jason Todd who was injured early in the third quarter with an ankle
injury.
On back-to-back possessions, Brown and Lewis took turns banging bodies with
Todd down low, both resulting in a hoop and the harm.
Jackson’s Dan Kingma made a heroic three-point basket with two defenders tightly
guarding him with less than a minute to play. This shrunk the Curtis lead to one.
Senior Dominque Jordan was forced to shoot an extra free throw after an awkward
call erased his first made shot. Jordan confidently showed the entire Dome he had
ice water flowing through his veins when he made both free throws following,
which gave Curtis a three-point lead.
Jackson had one last shot to send the game to overtime but Jason Todd lost the ball
and it rolled right into Jaurence Chisolm’s hands for Curtis.
Just like the win the night before against Garfield, emotions were flying high.
“Man I can’t even describe it right now, we worked so hard to get here, just to win
this game means everything,” Andre Lewis said.
In all the mayhem and celebration the smallest player on the court was being rushed
by the media. He didn’t mind it; he enjoyed speaking with the media and soaking up
the entire moment.
Robinson accomplished all this without previously being recognized by any colleges,
something mighty impressive for a 4A MVP.
Just like they were throughout the game during any Robinson heroics, the crowd
was still chanting, “You can’t stop him,” and “MVP” aimed towards Robinson.
Andre Lewis Of Curtis has a stand out game and enjoys a moment with the Gold Ball as a true Champion.
He led all scorers with 20 points and was handed the game ball as soon as the final
buzzer went off.
Robinson, who lost his matching number two shorts last year and resorts to wearing
the number 13 pair, had a secure hold on the game ball well after the game was over
and hopes not to lose that as well.
“I’m putting it in my room, I might not let go of it tonight,” Robinson said.
Robinson was the emotional leader for the Vikings, and responsible for controlling
the game and keeping his team focused. He always made the right play at the
right time. At the end of the game he could barely stand because of his efforts on the
defensive end. Robinson was the clear-cut choice for MVP and deserves it for the
hard work he has put forth throughout the season. Many other Curtis legends have
played in the dome, but only Dominic Robinson is taking the trophy home.
“Words can’t explain it, I’ve been watching Isaiah Thomas since he was here just
waiting for my turn,” Robinson said.
If you ask anyone to name the best state performance in Curtis basketball history
they undoubtedly would answer Isaiah Thomas; I think it’s time to consider the
name Dominic Robinson
