Oak Harbor comes from 15 down to win | Girls basketball

Kelsey Rankin snared an offensive rebound and scored with two seconds left to lift the Oak Harbor High School girls basketball team to a 42-41 comeback win over visiting Squalicum Monday, Dec. 5.

It was a tale of two halves, and the first belonged Squalicum.

The Storm went on a 13-0 run that spanned the first two quarters and led 21-6 with 5:35 left in the half; the lead was 10, 27-17, at the break.

Oak Harbor failed to take advantage of Storm mistakes, shooting only 23 percent (6-for-26) the first two quarters while Squalicum hit 42 percent (8-for19), including downing four of six three pointers.

The Storm (0-3) committed 17 first-half turnovers to Oak Harbor's 12, but outscored the Wildcats 17-4 in points off turnovers.

The second half was a different story as Oak Harbor continued to force Storm turnovers but this time collected points off the mistakes. Oak Harbor pushed the Storm to 19 second-half miscues while committing only eight and outscored Squalicum 16-3 on points after turnovers.

The Wildcats scored the first six points of the second half to get back in the game and trailed 33-27 going into the fourth quarter.

Marissa Lewis opened the fourth with a three-ball, and Ciera Wiser hit a hoop to make it 33-32. After a storm bucket, Dominique Jackson and Wiser scored to give the 'Cats their first lead of the game, 36-35, with 5:05 left.

The game was tied at 38 when Wiser scored off a steal from Lewis.

Squalicum's Lauren Eckart hit a three from the corner with 50 seconds left to give the Storm a 41-40 lead.

Oak Harbor missed two free throws, then after a steal, missed a shot from the field, forcing the Wildcats to foul with 10 seconds left.

Oak Harbor grabbed the miss and called time out with 5.4 seconds remaining. Annie Leete's shot was off line, but Rankin outwrestled Squalicum for the rebound and scored to pull out the comeback.

Coach Trisha Clayville lauded the play of reserves Rankin and Lewis, who sparked Oak Harbor. Rankin pulled down five rebounds to go with three points, and Lewis had five steals and four points.

Clayville said her team came out after halftime "ready to play." She said their mantra is "Don't give in, don't give up," and it was evident in the win.

"Even the kids who didn't get into the game were into it," she said. "I'm definitely proud of them tonight."

Leete scored 12 points and collected three assists; Jackson finished with nine points, five rebounds and six steals; and Wiser had eight points, seven rebounds, three assists and five steals.

Rayan Russell added three points, Jalani Bobo two and Morgan Young one; and Erika Flores dished out three assists.

Oak Harbor (1-1) opens league play at home Wednesday, Dec. 7, with Shorecrest (2-0) at 7:15 p.m.

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

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