Falling three points shy of its first victory, the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team lost 55-53 to visiting Everett Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Each team took turns dominating quarters. Oak Harbor jumped to a 12-5 lead in the first quarter, then the Seagulls, behind four three-pointers by four different shooters, outscored the Wildcats 22-10 in the second period to lead 27-22 at the break.

Oak Harbor eventually fell behind by nine, 35-26, in the third quarter, then rallied back. Zach Gibbs completed a three-point play in the final seconds and the Wildcats regained the lead 41-38 heading into the final eight minutes.

Everett’s Jace Chacon scored nine of his team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter to led the Everett finish, but it was an improbable bucket by David Popach that gave the Seagulls the lead.

Oak Harbor led 48-47 with 1:25 left in the game when Popach banked the three-pointer from straight on to put Everett on top.

A basket by Oak Harbor’s Drew Washington tied the game at 50 with 1:01 left. Chacon, who, like Washington, signed to play for the Air Force Academy next year, responded with a three-point play.

The Wildcats turned the ball over with 33 seconds left and Noah Juarez turned the mistake into two free throws, and Everett (1-0, 4-2) led 55-50.

Washington drained a long three with 12 seconds left to finish the scoring.

Oak Harbor rebounded an Everett free throw miss with three seconds left but a half-court desperation shot was off target.

Oak Harbor controlled the boards, out-rebounding Everett 45-30 and outscoring the Seagulls 16-2 on second-chance points.

Everett, however, committed only six turnovers to Oak Harbor’s nine, and outscored the Wildcats 9-0 off those mistakes.

Oak Harbor finished with three players in double figures: Washington, 21; Gibbs, 17; and Dyllan Harris, 10.

Gabe Groenig added three and Jake Sturdevant two.

Gibbs grabbed 11 rebounds and Washington nine.

Chacon had 13 rebounds for Everett, and Juarez scored 13 points.

Oak Harbor coach Mike Washington said, “We didn’t win, but we didn’t give up. I am happy with the progress we are making. Sure we made some mistakes, but the kids didn’t quit.”

The Wildcats (0-2, 0-5) now play four straight nonleague games, starting with Ferndale (2-3) at home at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20.