When the gymnasium is so packed that fans have to be turned away at the door, you know something special is happening. Tuesday night at Silas High School delivered exactly that kind of magic, as the Rams edged out crosstown rivals Lincoln 69-68 in a game that will be remembered for years to come.

With just one second remaining on the clock and his team trailing by a point, senior guard MakHai Pleasant-Tolliver stepped to the free-throw line with the weight of the game on his shoulders. The crowd held its breath. Pleasant-Tolliver calmly sank both shots, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and securing an unforgettable victory for the Rams.

"It's routine," Pleasant-Tolliver said with admirable humility after the game. "Every day at the end of practice, we shoot 10 free throws and you've gotta make them. For me, it was just stepping up and knocking them down, something I do every day."

His words highlight the dedication and preparation that goes into these moments of brilliance—countless hours in the gym, perfecting fundamentals, building the mental toughness required for high-pressure situations.

The game showcased outstanding performances from both teams. Silas jumped out to a commanding 42-29 halftime lead, with sophomore Malachi Doss catching fire and draining three first-half three-pointers on his way to 12 points. The balanced Rams attack featured contributions from throughout the lineup, with Pleasant-Tolliver leading the way with 17 points, junior guard Trey Collier adding 15, and sophomore guard Cannon Howard chipping in 11.

But Lincoln demonstrated the heart of champions in the second half, mounting an inspiring comeback. Guard O'Shea Lamar exploded for 20 of his game-high 23 points after halftime, including four three-pointers. Sophomore standout Davion Shareef-Dulaney matched Lamar with 23 points of his own, while sophomore post Justus Holt contributed 13. The Abes' defensive intensity and transition game brought them all the way back, setting up the dramatic finish.

For Collier, the victory held special meaning. Having transferred from Lincoln before this season, he had circled this game on his calendar. "It meant a lot, man," he said with a wide smile outside the locker room. "Especially for me, coming from the other side. So it was great to come out and get the dub."

First-year Silas coach John Barbee praised his team's resilience and focus on fundamentals. "To win a championship, you have to play defense," he noted. "Down the stretch, we were able to get a couple big steals there and some good rebounds."

The electric atmosphere and competitive excellence on display remind us why high school sports matter so deeply to communities. Both teams showed tremendous skill, determination, and sportsmanship, giving fans an evening they won't soon forget.

As Collier put it: "Every Tacoma game is a takeover game. We've gotta take over Tacoma first before we can get to the big ones."

With talent like this and moments like Tuesday night, the future of Tacoma basketball is shining bright.