Good start, big finish carries Blaine over Oak Harbor / Boys basketball

By Jim Waller • December 6, 2018 1:30 am

Blaine finished the game on a 21-6 run to defeat the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team 68-47 Tuesday, Dec. 4, on the Wildcats’ court.

The Borderites jumped to a 7-0 lead and led by between 3 and 12 points until their final surge. Oak Harbor cut the lead to six, 47-41, with 6:55 remaining in the game before Blaine’s final sprint.

“We came out flat as a team and let Blaine get momentum and gain confidence, and that is a dangerous combination when you are playing a young team,” Oak Harbor coach John Weston said. “I am looking forward to having a chance to bounce back on Friday.”

Oak Harbor (1-2) plays at South Whidbey (1-3) at 6:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7. The Falcons are led by former Oak Harbor head coach Mike Washington.

After Blaine went up 7-0 in the first quarter, Oak Harbor trimmed the gap to three, 9-6. The Borderites then went up 18-8 at the end of the period.

That pattern held throughout the game until the final six minutes. Blaine would go up by double digits, then the Wildcats would cut the deficit in half.

Blaine led 33-23 at half time and 47-39 after three periods.

The Wildcats were hurt by not being able to finish at the rim. They continually attacked the hoop but could not get their shots to drop.

Oak Harbor was also hurt at the foul line, missing 10 of 19 free throws.

Dorian Hardin paced Oak Harbor with 16 points. Terrell Crumpton had 9, Matt Kelley 6, Andrew Baloy 5, Kevin Schuldt 4, Haven Brown 3, Austin Boesch 3 and Ta’Shuan Howard 1.

“I thought Ta’Shaun Howard gave us a good spark off of the bench in his first career varsity game,” Weston said. “He definitely played with confidence and drive.”

Zane Rector scored 20 points and Kyle Turnberg 15 for Blaine.