Girls basketball: Oak Harbor finishes year with loss to GP

Glacier Peak put an inglorious end to the Oak Harbor High School girls basketball season by defeating the host Wildcats 56-23 Wednesday, Feb. 2.

Although it didn't always show up in the win column, the Wildcats played competitive basketball the past few weeks -- then the Grizzlies showed up.

The Wildcats had trouble containing the bigger Grizzlies inside, and that problem was compounded when Dominique Jackson, Oak Harbor’s most physical post defender, left the game midway through the first period with a knee injury.

Glacier Peak (8-6, 11-9) dominated the first half, exploding to a 17-5 first-quarter lead, then upping the cushion to 39-9 at the break.

The Grizzlies, who limited the 'Cats to five or fewer points in three different quarters, only outscored Oak Harbor 17-14 the second half.

Coach Trisha Clayville said, “The second half went much better. We stopped being pushed around, and, although we still struggled to score, we made it more challenging for them to due so. We actually won the third quarter.”

Senior Clarissa Abadesco closed out her Oak Harbor career by leading the Wildcats with 12 points. Clayville said, “Clarissa played with everything she had the whole game.”

Annie Leete scored five points, Ciera Wiser four, Adrianna Royal one and Jalanie Bobo one.

It was Senior Night for Oak Harbor (1-13, 2-18) as the Wildcats said good-bye to Abadesco, Royal and Janelle Yoshimoto. Clayville said the emotions of Senior Night hurt her team’s focus and contributed to its slow start.

Clayville said, “Overall, I am proud that the girls’ game came so far this season and of their continued positive attitudes and hard work. Although we weren't the best basketball players in our league, I believe that I had the hardest working kids. They refused to give up even when we were predicted to not win a game this year. Again, I am very proud to be their coach.”

Nine different Glacier Peak players scored between five and nine points.

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

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