Tokoto sets scoring mark in win over West Allis Central

Menomonee Falls - "We weren't focused on my scoring record, that's an individual thing. We were worried about the win."

Those were the humble words of Menomonee Falls boys basketball star J.P. Tokoto after breaking the school scoring record Friday night. Tokoto only needed 21 points to break the record but scored 30 on the night.

The Indians beat West Allis Central, 66-47, to improve its record to 5-6 overall and 2-4 in the Greater Metro Conference.

Former record-holder Brad Christianson, who played from 1990-1993 for the Indians and was a two-time NOW All-Suburban Player of the Year, was in attendance to pass the record torch to Tokoto in a ceremony after the game.

Senior guard C.J. Malone also was honored for breaking the school record for career 3-point shots made.

"It was definitely chaotic but very special," head coach Dan Leffel said about the record-breaking night. "It's great that Brad Christiansen gave us his time with his family to be able to come here, and so we're honored to have him.

"C.J. and J.P., to be able to get a record like they each got, wow, they're special people. I'm just lucky to be the coach of this team."

In an interview earlier in the day, Christianson was gracious in seeing a new record set.

"I was glad to be a part of it all," he said. "I was very happy to meet him (Tokoto). He seems like a great kid who has a lot on his shoulders. In talking to him, I think I found out that we're very much alike in one major way.

"That we're both driven to be the best that we can be."

Slow start

Tokoto and Falls lent a little drama to what was to be a festive night Friday.

The Indians were sluggish out of the gates as they were down 14-8 after the first quarter to the Bulldogs. But the start of the second quarter was the start of something new, as the Indians took a 27-23 halftime lead, and never looked back.

Although Tokoto was not on pace to break the record at halftime with only nine points, he came out with renewed energy and aggression as he poured in 11 of Falls' 21 third-quarter points.

"I definitely did (come out more aggressive in the second half)," Tokoto said. "I had that frame of mind that I had to put up numbers but we were worried about getting the 'W' as a team."

The record-setter came on a 3-point shot from the right wing early in the fourth quarter.

Tokoto added it was definitely more special to break the record at home where he could have all his family and friends in attendance. But he continued to deflect the credit.

"Everybody had a great game tonight, we played as a team," Tokoto said. "I'm very happy that I got the scoring record but we have bigger accomplishments to overcome."

Changing defense key to game

Leffel said their ability to change defenses between man-to-man, a 2-3 zone and a 1-3-1 zone was key to forcing the Bulldogs to the outside. He added that the Bulldogs lived and died by the three.

"We only were able to take control of the game because we started limiting them to one shot," Leffel said. "In the first quarter, we weren't doing that. So after the first quarter, after the rust kind of got off because we hadn't played in a little while, it started to come together. We started to become very unselfish. Our scorers were willing to give up the basketball."

- With additional reporting by Steven L. Tietz

Falls all-time scorers

J.P. Tokoto 1,437 points (2008-09 to present)

Brad Christianson 1,427 (Falls 1990-93)

Dave Gross 1,164 (Falls North 1973-76)

Tom Knuese 1,128 (Falls East and Falls HS 1981-85)

Bob Wolf 1,118 (1960-63)

John Budde 844 (Falls 1957-59, missing 1956-57 season)

Kurt McMahon 786 (Falls East 1978-81)

Scott Ohrmundt 774 (Falls North 1976-79)

Terry Schmidt 746 (Falls 1958-61)

Dan Schramm 731 (Falls 1957-59, missing 1956-57)

Rob Wendlick 731 (Falls 1986-89)