Wildcats get win, improve playoff chances | Boys basketball
By JIM WALLER
Whidbey News Times Sports editor
January 7, 2012 · Updated 12:17 PM
A 73-60 win over visiting Marysville Getchell Friday, Jan. 6, helped the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team solidify its spot in the hunt for a playoff berth as it heads into the second half of the conference schedule.
The victory evened Oak Harbor’s Wesco 3A mark at 4-4 halfway through the league slate. The Wildcats sit in fifth place, three games up on the seventh-place team; six teams qualify for district.
The Chargers (1-7, 1-11) hung around until Oak Harbor put on a fourth-quarter burst to secure the win.
The Wildcats took the lead three minutes into the game and led 15-12 and 29-27 after the first two quarters. The Oak Harbor lead was never greater than five, and Getchell eventually went up 38-36 with 3:24 left in the third quarter. The Chargers took a 45-44 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats started the final period on an 11-0 run as Mike Washington Jr. completed two thee-point plays and Chris Hailer added two buckets. Getchell scored the next basket to cut it two eight points, but the Wildcat surge took the zap out of the Chargers and Getchell could get no closer.
Coach Mike Washington Sr. praised the play of his bench and the strong performances of Hailer, Elias Whitefoot and Dayne Herron. Hailer finished with a season high 12 points and six rebounds (three offensive); Whitefoot added eight points and six rebounds and Herron had six points and two boards.
Eight different Wildcats scored as Oak Harbor dished out 12 assists in a night of sharp passing. Mike Washington Jr. led the team with 24 points and six assists, and JoJo Webster chipped in with 11 points and four assists.
Matt Burgoyne finished with six points and four rebounds; Kevawn Brooks had four points, five rebounds and three blocks; and Paul Johannsen had two points as Oak Harbor got strong all-around performances throughout the lineup.
The Wildcat “D” held Getchell to 31 percent from the field (19-for-60) while shooting 48 percent (26-for-54).
Oak Harbor won just about every statistical battle, including fewer turnovers (15-17) and more rebounds (43-39). Its only subpar effort was three-point shooting were the ‘Cats hit only one of 12.
Washington Sr. said, “I was happy how we responded when we got down in the third quarter. Overall, everyone played really well.”
Oak Harbor (4-4, 4-8) entertains Shorecrest (6-1, 7-4) Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 7:15 p.m.
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