Oak Harbor starts season 3-0 / Girls basketball

After two relatively easy wins, the Oak Harbor High School girls basketball team handled the pressure of a close game in a 53-51 win over visiting Sedro-Woolley Saturday, Dec. 7.

The Wildcats, now 3-0, are off to their best start in more than a decade. They will try to keep the streak alive when they host Marysville-Pilchuck (0-2) at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10.

“We are really excited,” Oak Harbor coach Jon Atkins said about the Wildcats’ start. “I’m glad the girls are doing well and their hard work is paying off.”

“We have to keep working though,” he added.

Sedro-Woolley and Oak Harbor entered the fourth quarter tied at 36, then the Wildcats, behind points from five different players, jumped ahead.

Mikhaela Cortez had 5 points, including a 3-ball, to help Oak Harbor take the lead for good. Jasmine Ford, Chloe Frank, Payton Parks and Anna Jones all added 3 points in the decisive period.

Ford helped Oak Harbor get off to a good start, hitting a pair of shots from beyond the arc in the first quarter to give the Wildcats a 14-11 lead.

The Cubs bounced back to go up 26-23 at halftime.

Five points from Olivia Waite in the third quarter helped Oak Harbor tie the game going into the fourth period.

Ford led Oak Harbor in the game with 14 points. Parks had 10, Jones 6, Frank 6, Tiana Jackson 5, Cortez 5, Waite 5 and Paige Fortin 2.

Mabel Gahan tallied 19, 13 in the first half, for the Cubs.

Olivia Waite uses a jump pass to feed the post.(Photo by John Fisken)

Olivia Waite uses a jump pass to feed the post. (Photo by John Fisken)

Payton Parks puts up a jump shot Saturday.(Photo by John Fisken)

Payton Parks puts up a jump shot Saturday. (Photo by John Fisken)

Chloe Frank sets up for a free throw.(Photo by John Fisken)

Chloe Frank sets up for a free throw. (Photo by John Fisken)

Oak Harbor’s Jasmine Ford launches a 3-ball for the Wildcats. (Photo by John Fisken)

Oak Harbor’s Jasmine Ford launches a 3-ball for the Wildcats. (Photo by John Fisken)

Tiana Jackson inbounds the ball for Oak Harbor.(Photo by John Fisken)

Tiana Jackson inbounds the ball for Oak Harbor. (Photo by John Fisken)

Olivia Waite fires from long range.(Photo by John Fisken)

Olivia Waite fires from long range. (Photo by John Fisken)

Payton Parks splits two Cub defenders for 2 points.(Photo by John Fisken)

Payton Parks splits two Cub defenders for 2 points. (Photo by John Fisken)