Mariner rolls by Oak Harbor | Boys basketball

Mariner displayed its offensive skill in the first quarter and its defensive talents in the second on the way to a 76-39 win over the visiting Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team Saturday, Dec. 27.

Mariner displayed its offensive skill in the first quarter and its defensive talents in the second on the way to a 76-39 win over the visiting Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team Saturday, Dec. 27.

The Marauders (5-3) piled up 28 points in the opening period to lead by 18, then they limited the Wildcats to only two points in the second to go into halftime with a 40-12 lead.

“Mariner came out and was very efficient at executing their offensive game plan,” Oak Harbor coach John Weston said. “They shot a high field goal percentage and beat us in the turnover and rebounding battle. When you lose in both of those areas, it’s tough to win ball games.”

Weston said his club “looked rusty” after not playing for 10 days, adding, “It’s hard to ride any momentum we had from our last contest when you have that long of a break.”

“We have to give credit to Mariner, they were the better team tonight and they deserved to win,” Weston said. “I am interested to see how we respond.”

Dyllan Harris led Oak Harbor with 13 points, Zach Jones had nine, Sean Erskine six, Preston Rankin five, Ben Fikse two, Diangelo McKinney two, Bryce Diras one and Jake Sturdevant one.

Four Marauders scored in double figures; Kevin Villalobos led with 20.

Oak Harbor (1-6) begins the two-game Bulldog Holiday Classic against Sedro-Woolley (4-3) at 3:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, in Mount Vernon.