Girls basketball: Eight 3-pointers not enough to carry 'Cats

Squalicum withstood a barrage of three-point baskets by the Oak Harbor High School girls basketball team to defeat the Wildcats 51-40 in Bellingham Monday, Dec. 6.

Oak Harbor pumped in more three-pointers, eight, than two-pointers, six, but it wasn't enough to avoid its third loss in as many games this season. The Storm improved to 1-2.

The Wildcats host Lynden (1-0) Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m., and then start league play when Lynnwood (2-0) comes to town Friday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m.

Oak Harbor built a 13-9 first quarter lead behind eight points by Janelle Yoshimoto. Squalicum recovered to blitz Oak Harbor in the second quarter 16-6 and take the lead 25-19.

Oak Harbor coach Trisha Clayville said her club stopped looking to score in the second period and allowed Squalicum to take the lead.

The game stayed close until a spurt by the Storm at the end of the third quarter gave them a 10-point cushion going into the final period.

The Wildcats buried a trio of threes in the final minutes in an attempt reclaim the lead but "couldn't take care of business at the defensive end," according to Clayville.

Clayville said, "We did a much better job of getting the ball into the post and then back out for open threes. I'm a little disappointed in our defense, but I am happy we are improving. We just need to get over the hump."

Yoshimoto finished with 16 points, including three 3-pointers. Annie Leete had nine points (two threes), Emilie Renninger six (two threes), Tatiana Cumming five (one three), Ciera Wiser three and Jalanie Bobo one.

Sarah Stackhouse led the Storm with 18 points, seven rebounds, eight steals and three assists.

Contact Whidbey News Times Sports editor Jim Waller at jwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5060.

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