Long Beach State’s Ratleff Lives Up to His Name

They still speak about Ed Ratleff in hushed tones at Long Beach State although the former 49er basketball star’s eligibility ended more than 20 years ago.

Well, Everett Ratleff might not accomplish what his uncle did--but give the kid time.

Ratleff, a smooth-shooting sophomore guard, scored a team-high 14 points Thursday night in Long Beach’s 69-63 victory over Coppin State in the Spartan Classic at Michigan State’s Breslin Center.

The victory sends the 49ers (4-1) against No. 15 Michigan State (6-1) for the tournament championship at 5 p.m. today. Michigan State defeated Ball State, 117-95, Thursday.

Ratleff, 6 feet 3, struggled in Long Beach’s first four games. He entered the Thursday’s game averaging 4.8 points, making only 40% of his shots. He was six of 10 against the Eagles, including two of four on three-pointers.

“It just feels good to finally do something,” said Ratleff, who did not qualify academically to play at Long Beach as a freshman. “Having the uncle I have really isn’t pressure, but having to sit out last year--that’s what brought the pressure.

“I just haven’t been playing like I’m capable of, until tonight.”

The 49ers played stifling perimeter defense, shot 51% and received major contributions from the bench, including Ratleff’s. Coppin State (2-6) shot 30%, 15% (three of 19) from the three-point line.

“It was a great defensive effort from our guys,” 49er Coach Seth Greenberg said. “Especially from our guards. Coppin State scores half its points with three-pointers. We did a great job of taking that away.”

The Eagles’ top two long-range shooters, senior guards Sidney Goodman and Keith Carmichael, were a combined seven for 21, one of six three-pointers. “We really took it upon ourselves as a challenge to shut down their guards,” said Long Beach shooting guard Jamie Davis, who scored eight of his 13 points in the first three minutes. “They were the best two guards we faced this season. Until tomorrow. Then we face the real big test.”

That would be the Spartans’ back court of Shawn Respert and Eric Snow, who combined for 44 points and 11 assists against Ball State.

Long Beach took a 19-4 lead and kept a comfortable double-digit lead through the first 30 minutes. With 10 minutes remaining, the 49ers held a 51-41 advantage.

With six minutes left, however, Coppin State had tied the score at 55. Stephen Stewart, who finished with a game-high 22 points, keyed the Eagles’ 14-4 run.

But the 49ers never fell behind. Forward Akeli Jackson hit one of two free throws and reserve forward Brian Yankelevitz put in a layup off an in-bounds pass to make it 58-55.

Stewart made six free throws to tie the score at 61 with three minutes left. Then Ratleff threw a perfect pass inside to Yankelevitz. He was fouled, and made two free throws.

Next, Ratleff passed to Atkinson, whose dunk gave Long Beach a 65-61 lead. The 49ers increased the lead to seven with 1:30 left before settling for the six-point victory.

The game capped a hectic trip by Coppin State.

“First, our best student-athlete was late for the bus to the airport,” Eagle Coach Ron Mitchell said. “Then we accidentally left one of our student managers at the airport in Pittsburgh during a changeover. Our sports information director’s suitcase was lost. The floor we were supposed to stay on at the hotel was being painted.

“It was a day straight out of hell.”