A good start wasn’t enough and the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team lost 55-53 at Everett Friday, Jan. 26.

The Wildcats came out hot and raced to a 21-14 first-quarter lead. The Seagulls responded with a big second quarter and led 30-29 at halftime, and the game remained tight from there.

Although Oak Harbor lost, it still has a chance — a slight one — to qualify for the post season.

The Wildcats are 1-9 (3-15 overall) and trail Marysville Getchell (2-7, 6-11) and Snohomish (2-7, 5-12) by a game and a half for the final district berth. Oak Harbor has two games remaining, 7:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at home with Marysville-Pilchuck (8-1, 14-3) and at Meadowdale 5-4, 9-8) Monday, Feb. 5.

Getchell and Snohomish each have three games left, and both hold the tie breaker over Oak Harbor. The Wildcats need to win their final two games and the Chargers and Panthers need to drop all three.

Squalicum of the Northwest League also plays a role, and the outcome of its final three games will also determine Oak Harbor’s fate.

Everett 55, Oak Harbor 53

The two teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 40.

Everett (4-6, 7-11) was able to take a late lead and held on for the win.

The Wildcats earned two free throws with three seconds remaining while down by 3 points. They hit the first and purposely missed the second to get a chance for at least a two-point field goal. The second foul shot, however, did not touch the rim and Everett was awarded possession and ran out the clock.

Dorian Hardin led Oak Harbor with 14 points, Kevin Schuldt had 10, Ozell Jackson 9, Gavin Allen 8, Weston Whitefoot 4, Gabe Salinger 3, Austin Boesch 3 and Haven Brown 2.

Elijah Ross-Rutter scored 14 for the Seagulls.