Tomahawks use third-quarter run to pull away

Published 5:00 am Saturday, February 18, 2006

Oak Harbor had third-place Marysville-Pilchuck right where it wanted them in the first half of Thursday’s season finale.

Then came the third quarter.

“They just got some transition buckets, there were some questionable shots on our end and a couple of shots we took that seemed like they should have gone in,” OHHS head coach Bryan Schulle said about the start of the second half.

Those third-quarter struggles led to a 13-2 Tomahawk run and provided playoff-bound Marysville enough cushion to hang on for a 71-61 victory.

Down just 33-31 at halftime, the Wildcats matched the Tomahawks out of the locker room, tying the game, 35-35, on a strong drive from senior Olimar Hunt. The game’s fourth tie, however, was the last time OHHS got close.

Sparked by junior sharp-shooter Jared Stohl, Marysville went on its third-quarter scoring barrage to pull away.

Schulle knows Stohl, who had a game-high 23 points, can’t be left open, even for a split second. And the 6-foot-2 guard got open looks on several occasions.

“He’s pretty much open inside of half court,” Schulle said.

By the end of the third the Tomahawks led 50-41 and just continued to match everything the Wildcats threw at them.

OHHS closed the gap to seven, 64-57, with 1:28 to go, but got no closer.

Oak Harbor was led by junior Dallas Heidt with 14 points. Senior guard Chris Hughes contributed 11 in his final game as a Wildcat.

Along with Stohl, Marysville also got big games from 6-foot-9 post Nathan Lozeau with 21 points and guard Keaton Tatingfong with 15.

Oak Harbor finished its season in ninth place at 2-14 in the Western Conference North and 2-16 overall.

It was a tough season, but Schulle was pleased with his team’s effort.

“I thought we improved individually and with team effort,” he said. “The key is trying to build memories for these guys when they look back at their high school career and hopefully they’re good ones.”

Three Wildcats, Hughes, Hunt and Will Lopez, played their final game Thursday. Schulle said they will be missed, but with the amount of returners is optimistic as to what can be done next season.

“It will hurt losing our three seniors, but we’ll have six kids who have a lot of experience next year,” he said.

Marysville 15 18 17 21 — 71

Oak Harbor 13 18 10 20 — 61

Scoring: Oak Harbor – Heidt 14, Hughes 11, Hunter 9, Leach 9, Rumble 6, Schulle 6, Lopez 4, Hunt 2. Marysville – Stohl 23, Lozeau 21, Tatingfong 15, Howell 5, Moser 4, Moses 2, Stell 1.