Miller's return sparks SJE

By SCOTT SANDSBERRY
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

Last summer, the right kneecap belonging to Warren Miller -- the 6-foot-4 four-year-starting mainstay of the St. John-Endicott basketball program -- went one way at a basketball camp when the rest of his leg went another. That was dislocation No. 1.

Weeks later, during a pickup game, the knee did it again. Dislocation No.2.

"The doctors said there was an 80 percent change it could happen again," Miller said. So, on Aug. 19, he had surgery that, he was told, would sideline him for four to six months.

Six would mean the Eagles' basketball season would be without him. Four months, well ...

"I was praying for that (four-month recovery) since October," St. John-Endicott coach Rick Winters said Friday night after Miller scored half his team's points in a 44-41 semifinal victory over Moses Lake Christian, putting the Eagles into tonight's title game against Sunnyside Christian.

"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him," Winters added. "On the other hand, he knows he can't do it without his buddies, his teammates. He's a pleasure to coach, and he's a wonderful leader out there."

Miller missed the Eagles' first 10 games and they started out 3-7. But while their 11 losses are the most ever for a Class B tournament boys finalist, their 16-11 record is misleading -- they've gone a very respectable 13-4 with Miller in the lineup.

"I knew we had a good team. We just had to put it together," said Miller, who also had 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals to go with his 8-for-12 shooting night. "We're peaking at the right time, and everything's clicking."

For a guy who couldn't even jog two months ago, to be playing in the state championship is a dream-come-true.

"Ever since you're young, you dream about playing at state, playing in the state championship," Miller said. "Doing it like this has been surreal. It's been great."