Last Friday, the Vashon girls’ basketball team lost its second to last regular season game against the third best team in the Nisqually league: Cascade Christian.
The Pirates played Cascade Christian away about two week prior and lost 47-32. Friday’s game ended similarly with a score of 52-34.
Vashon started the game by winning the tip and therefore gaining first possession. Often Vashon gains first possession thanks to freshman starter Kristi Walker. During the first quarter, Vashon struggled with turnovers ending the first eight minutes with six. In the first quarter, the Pirates had four steals and at the end of the first quarter were down 11-5.
Vashon scored more than double their points in the the second half, but still didn’t manage to close the gap between them and the Cougars. The Cougars scored 13 points in the second quarter, four of which came from free-throw shots. By the end of first half, Vashon had 9 team fouls while Cascade had 3.
During the second half, Cougar senior Allison Downs emerged as the team’s strongest shooter. She took, and made, many 3-point shots. The Pirates tried to adjust to Downs’ stellar shooting by doing a box in one — the point being to make sure someone was always guarding Downs. Even with the Pirates adjustment, Downs made 3-pointers.
Vashon also ended the half with 6 team fouls, but none of the girls fouled out. Cascade, in the second half, had 10 team fouls, but none of them fouled out either.
Cascade’s top scorer of the night was Downs, who managed to score 20 points, including six 3-pointers. Eva Anderson was the Pirates’ top scorer with 12 points. Vashon shot 33 percent and Cascade shot 40 percent at the free-throw line.
Vashon currently sits at the number four spot in the league of five schools and is ensured one playoff game. Currently, the Piartes are looking to play Chimacum at Chimacum High School at 7 p.m. Thursday. The girls had a game scheduled for Monday, but, due to weather, Monday’s games was rescheduled to Wednesday.
The varsity girls will play Bellevue Christian at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at VHS. The junior varsity team will play at 7 p.m. at Chautauqua.
