After losing 49-40 at Mountlake Terrace Tuesday, Jan. 25, the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team will most likely need to win two of its final three games to advance to the post season.
The Wildcats (3-8, 4-13) are tied with Everett (3-8, 5-12) for the sixth and final playoff spot, but Oak Harbor will need to finish ahead of the Seagulls because Everett holds the tie-breaker (they defeated Oak Harbor twice this season).
Everett is favored to get a win Friday against last-place Lynnwood (1-11, 2-15). They finish out the season with Glacier Peak (11-0, 15-3) and Shorecrest (7-4, 10-7).
Oak Harbor hosts third-place Meadowdale (8-3, 10-7) Friday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m. and Shorecrest Tuesday, Feb. 1, before traveling to Glacier Peak Thursday, Feb. 3.
Oak Harbor lost by eight at Meadowdale and in overtime at Shorecrest earlier this season.
Oak Harbor and Everett could also catch fifth-place Shorewood (5-6, 8-9).
In the Wildcats’ loss to Mountlake Terrace, the Hawks outscored Oak Harbor 27-13 in the middle two periods to overcome a 15-11 Wildcat lead after the first quarter.
Coach Mike Washington Sr. said things fell apart in the second quarter when the Wildcats “had some mental lapses.” He added, “Some fundamental mistakes are coming back.”
Oak Harbor, down 38-28 heading into the last period, cut the lead to six. The Hawks’ Zach Karels then hit a three (his third of the game) to halt the rally.
The Wildcats were hindered in their attempt to come back when leading scorer Mike Washington Jr. left the game with a quad injury with four minutes to go. Coach Washington said Wednesday he expects his son to be ready for Friday’s game.
Washington Jr. led Oak Harbor with 13 points, Jay Stout had nine, Stevie Bratt eight (and seven rebounds), Connor Paul four, Kevawn Brooks three, Trace Paul two and Denzel Massey one.
Oak Harbor out rebounded Terrace 33-27, including an 11-six edge on the offense boards that resulted in the Wildcats getting 10 second-chance points to the Hawks’ two.
Mountlake Terrace outscored Oak Harbor 12-6 off turnovers; the Hawks had 10 miscues, Oak Harbor 16.
Mountlake Terrace shot 45.5 percent (15 of 33) from the field, while the ‘Cats shot 36.7 percent (11 of 30).
