Stretching their potential

COEUR d'ALENE - In a game in the ultra-competitive Metro League in Seattle, one night in 2011, current North Idaho College sophomore Michael Middlebrooks was two blocked shots away from a triple-double as a member of the Rainier Beach High boys basketball team - finishing with 17 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocked shots.

The leading scorer that night - current NIC teammate Keon Lewis - scored 19 points for Chief Sealth in a 55-52 loss to Middlebrooks' team.

"When he puts his mind to it, he can be a triple-double guy every night," Lewis said.

"That was a big game for us," Middlebrooks said. "Going into that game, our coach was telling us the guys that were going to have the biggest impact and how to be effective and he was telling me about Keon. It was a big game. Chief Sealth was a good team in our league and we were the No. 1 team in the state."

The following year, both Lewis, a 6-2 guard, and Middlebrooks, a 6-9 forward, wound up together at NIC, where Lewis was named to the all-Region 18 tournament team last season, and Middlebrooks was a first-team selection all-conference selection.

"I love playing with Keon," Middlebrooks said. "It's fun because either I get the ball in the post and start dominating and draw more attention so he can get shots up outside, or if he's hitting shots, then they'll forget about me and I can get a dunk or he can lob the ball inside."

NIC (25-4) will host the Region 18 tournament starting on Thursday at Christianson Gym on their Coeur d'Alene campus. NIC plays the winner of Snow/Colorado Northwestern on Friday at 2 p.m. in its tournament opener.

"It (NIC) is a tough place to play," Lewis said. "This is one of the toughest conferences to play in the entire JUCO (junior college) nation. I just really wanted to be part of a great team and a great organization and wanted to be coached by coach (Jared) Phay."

Coming out of high school, Lewis was receiving recruiting interest from schools in Texas, but wound up coming to NIC instead.

"A good friend of mine from high school, Melvin Jones, came here and told me about this place," Lewis said. "A few years back, I played in the holiday tournament (Coeur d'Alene Inn-vitational) and coach Phay and I (chatted) and kept in good contact after that."

Jones went on to play at Portland State in 2010. Lewis started at point guard for NIC last season.

"Melvin said it was a great opportunity," Lewis said. "It's a nice environment and around the community, it's very quiet and everyone is really friendly and it will help keep you focused."

Something that fits Lewis' personality.

"I really like to relax," Lewis said. "I'm more of a laid-back type of guy and really like to watch movies. I'm a real movie guy."

For Middlebrooks - who started playing basketball five years ago - the decision to come to NIC was a little tougher.

"When I started playing basketball, in my first couple of real games we were playing the No. 1 team in the nation," Middlebrooks said of high school. "I just played horrible and I didn't know if I was even going to keep playing. I almost quit that tournament, but my god dad was always in my ear to keep getting better, work your butt off in practice and just keep getting better."

"They're both really relaxed guys off the court," NIC men's coach Jared Phay said. "They work hard and get after it basketball wise, but other than that - they're laid back."

By coming to NIC, Middlebrooks had to adjust to leaving home.

"I don't like traveling and being away from my family," Middlebrooks said. "To come here, it felt like it was really hard, but I knew it was for a good cause because I had to set an example for my 10 younger siblings. That's what keeps me going."

Middlebrooks is also father to Alyssa Nicole, who turned 1 this year and lives in the Seattle area with her mother.

"It's hard too because I had to come down here and we had a game, so I missed her being born," Middlebrooks said. "We were on the road for her first birthday. It's hard and tough to be away from someone you love on their birthday."

At first, Middlebrooks didn't want to leave Seattle for Coeur d'Alene.

"I hated it," Middlebrooks said. "At first, I didn't even know if I was going to play college basketball. When it came down to leaving, it was just like I was sad because I had to leave my daughter and my siblings. It wasn't like an AAU trip - it was to come here and live for two years. It was the biggest adjustment of my life. It's been pretty hard, but I've started to like living in Coeur d'Alene. The coaches have helped me through so much. My host parents - I didn't think I could say I love you to another man - but that's what they've (the Hutchinson family) become is just like another family to me. They've made it a lot easier to live here."

"Mike is really tight with his family," Phay said. "He's never really been away from home. Coeur d'Alene is a good location for the Seattle kids, because it's close enough they can go home when they need to, but far enough away that can focus on their stuff. To Mike's credit, he wants to be her dad and part of her life - and getting a degree will help him help her in the long run. He's going the right way in the long run."

Lewis played football when he was younger, as a wide receiver, punt and kick returner or middle/inside linebacker.

"That's how I got into this frame," Lewis joked. "I was going to my older brother's basketball games when I was younger and he was an inspiration to me and that's what I wanted to do. I looked up to him and really wanted to be just like him."

Like Lewis, Middlebrooks played football until a growth spurt made him rethink his options.

"I grew out of football," said Middlebrooks, who played wide receiver and free safety. "I started to get too tall and people would hit me in my knees and they started hurting. Then, I knew it was time for a change and try a different sport."

Once they got on the same court in Coeur d'Alene, Lewis feels that the duo clicked right away.

"I thought it was more of a Kobe and Shaq kind of thing," Lewis said. "Mike likes to do it all. Around the basket, he's very skilled and very athletic and we just clicked instantly."

By winning the Region 18 tournament championship and a play-in game against the Region 1 champion, the Cardinals will advance to the NJCAA tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.

"We've got really good chemistry," said Lewis of the team, which is ranked 12th in the nation. "Everybody is getting along and we all like each other and love each other genuinely."

Both are getting interest from other colleges.

Middlebrooks is being recruited by Boise State, Idaho, Nevada, Marshall, Portland State, Nebraska and several others. Lewis is being recruited by Kent State, San Jose State and Texas-San Antonio.

"I've got a few options," said Lewis, who is averaging 13.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. "But I want more. I need more."

"There's been a lot (of schools interested)," said Middlebrooks, who is averaging 9.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game. "Honestly, some will call, but a couple weeks later, I don't hear from them. So honestly, I don't know who's still on board."

Middlebrooks is eighth in the nation with 89 blocks.

Lewis added that one scenario could have the two playing together again next year.

"That would be great," Lewis said. "Mike and I have been talking about it and this coming offseason, we'll have some decisions to make. Hopefully it works out for the best and we'll be together again for another two years."

If that doesn't happen, then Lewis is also looking into life after NIC.

"I want to keep playing basketball for as long as I can," Lewis said. "Whether that's going to the league or overseas or if that doesn't work out, maybe become a trainer. I'm not ready to leave the game because a simple 9 to 5 for Keon Lewis just isn't me."

"I want to keep playing and go D-1," Middlebrooks said. "Wherever basketball takes me for as long as I can."

How far they can go could be determined by what happens this weekend.

"It's a big week for us," Lewis said. "We just have to take it one game at a time. If we do that and keep communicating on defense, we'll come out champions."