Sun Shines in First Varsity Start
Freshman guard helps lead Eastside Catholic past Prairie in the Class 3A state playoffs.
ISSAQUAH, Wash. – As soon as Steven Sun begins his shooting motion, his teammates start to rise off the bench and raise three fingers.
The shot has yet to leave his hands, but Eastside Catholic players believe it’s going in. It is that confidence in the 6-foot-1 freshman’s shot that prompted Crusaders coach Brent Merritt to give Sun his first varsity start in the Class 3A state playoffs Saturday afternoon.
“He’s been playing really well,” Merritt said. “He’s our best shooter. He’s been lighting it up all year.”
Sun delivered.
He hit a three to cap a 9-0 run to open the game and made big shots throughout, helping Eastside Catholic hold off Prairie, 52-50. The Crusaders now get to play Metro League rivals Rainier Beach for the fourth time this season, after the top-ranked Vikings were upset by Bellarmine Prep.
“We said, ‘Hey, let’s give him a shot,’ and he came through,” Merritt said.
For Merritt, there has never been a doubt about Sun’s talent or basketball IQ. He can handle the ball, get to the basket, hit open and contested shots, all while playing unselfish, team-focused basketball.
The only question was: Could he handle the physicality?
Sun delivered.
“It felt amazing,” Sun said. “I’ve been playing a lot off the bench and coming into my role.”
The Crusaders also start a 6-foot-6 freshman in Tytan McNeal. However, as a defensive end and tight end who helped lead Eastside Catholic to the state football semifinals, he was already accustomed to physical play.
“He’s mature,” Merritt said. “He and Tytan are both mature for freshmen. They know how to play shell D. A lot of freshmen coming in don’t know how to play shell D. He rotates. He talks. He’s a team player.”
Each time Sun has been given an opportunity, both in practices and games, he knocks down shots. Early in the season, though, Sun was reluctant to shoot. When Merritt asked why, he said, “I don’t want to seem like a ball hog.”
Merritt’s response: “If you don’t shoot it, you’re not going to play.”
He’s had the green light ever since.
He’s delivered.
“For me, it’s just finding the balance of looking for my shot,” Sun said. “I feel like, though, when you start to force shots, that’s actually when the shots stop falling. It’s just about finding a balance.”
Sun has been playing basketball since he was 5. He learned the game from his father, Lei, a Chinese immigrant. As Sun’s game grows, he just keeps working harder, currently making sure to take 200-300 shots each day.
“I try to keep it consistent,” he said.
On Saturday, the Crusaders started two freshmen, two juniors, and a sophomore. Merritt has been bringing his seniors off the bench.
As seniors coming off of a state championship, it would be easy for Alex Elston, Tate Dawson, and Jordan Boggan-Cryer (Isaac Corey transferred to Eastside Catholic this summer) to be frustrated. But they haven’t complained.
They put the team first and understand that Merritt’s moves are designed to lead the Crusaders on a deep playoff run.
“Tate even said it – he’s been starting – he said, ‘This is not about self. This is about our team. It’s about us, so put your egos aside and let’s get it,’” Merritt said. “For him to say that, being the guy who was being taken out of the starting lineup, it says a lot.”