Oak Harbor’s boys basketball team came back from a first-half deficit to take the lead going into the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold on in a 53-48 loss at Snohomish Tuesday, Dec. 15.

The Wildcats fell behind 6-0 right out of the chute when the Panthers started the game by hitting two 3-pointers and then taking a 15-9 lead going into the second period.

Oak Harbor also found itself behind early in its previous two games, and coach Mike Washington was disappointed in his team’s mental toughness in handling the adversity. He was pleased, however, in what he saw Tuesday: “The kids played hard and with energy. They didn’t give up; they got down by seven or eight and kept fighting back.”

Snohomish hung onto the lead going into halftime, 24-20. The Wildcats eventually overtook the Panthers in the third period and earned their first lead 38-35 heading into the final period.

However, the ‘Cats began the fourth with several turnovers and missed shots and found themselves behind once again. Washington said his players kept battling, but couldn’t quite catch the Panthers, who are now 3-0 in Western Conference North play and tied for first place. They are 3-2 for the year.

The Panthers’ post, John McGee, was a thorn for the Wildcats all night, particularly in the fourth quarter when he scored 12 of his game-high 30 points. Washington said McGee scored off pick-and-rolls, power moves to the hoop and put-backs; and the Wildcats couldn’t keep him in check.

Oak Harbor, now 1-4 and 0-1, was led by Mike Washington Jr.’s 19 points. Denzel Harden scored 13 for the ‘Cats, Colby Anter 5 (and had a team-high five rebounds), Jay Stout five, Rashaad Smith four and Aaron Boesch two.

Coach Washington noted that not only did his club show better intensity during the game, but also “boxed out better.” Poor rebounding had plagued the Wildcats earlier this year.

Oak Harbor now faces both ends of the Wesco standings. Thursday the Wildcats go to Everett to square off with the winless Seagulls (0-4, 0-3), then they return home Friday for a game with undefeated and preseason favorite Lake Stevens (4-0, 3-0) at 7:30.