Girls’ basketball loses second league game against Bellevue Christian
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, January 20, 2016
The Vashon High School girls’ basketball team hosted the Bellevue Christian Vikings for their second league contest on Tuesday, Jan. 12, and ended the game with a loss.
Both teams started the game playing an aggressive man-to-man defense, resulting in several early turnovers both ways. Some of the early highlights were provided by freshman Chloe Kuyper in the first minute of the game when she blocked three shots. Unfortunately, the aggressive play also resulted in a scary moment during the first quarter when senior Siena Jannetty sustained a head injury and was unable to return to the game. Fortunately, the injury was not as serious as initially thought, and she was able to return for the next game. The Pirates found themselves trailing the Vikings 12-9 at the end of the first quarter.
During the second quarter, the Pirates went cold from the field while also suffering some defensive breakdowns that led to easy lay-in baskets for the Vikings. Vashon High School was behind 22-9 with about two minutes left in the half when junior Eva Anderson finally broke the ice with a long two-point shot that was soon followed by another two-point shot by freshman Olivia Larsen. But then the Vikings also connected on a couple more baskets, and they led the Pirates 27-13 at the half.
The third quarter was an offensive struggle for both teams, but the Pirates did manage to outscore the Vikings 6-4 to get to 31-19. Facing a 12-point deficit, the Pirates continued fighting and were able to make up ground when they held their opponents scoreless during a nice 7-0 run through the first five minutes of the quarter. That run got them within five points with three minutes to play, and included a couple of nice drives to the basket by senior Annika Hille, a nice mid-range shot by fellow senior Natalie VanDevanter and two free throws by Anderson. While working hard but not quite overcoming the scoring deficit, the Pirates had to commit several fouls in an attempt to save time and get more possessions. Unfortunately, the Vikings were able to convert on all their free throws and ended up winning the game by a final score of 44-34.
Hille led the scoring for Vashon with 13 points, she also grabbed five rebounds and three steals; Larsen added 10 points and two boards; VanDevanter had six points, five boards, and two steels and Anderson added four points and led the rebounding effort with eight boards.
Meanwhile, Kuyper contributed five blocked shots and two rebounds, while senior Kate Atwell grabbed four rebounds.
Senior Melanie Stoffer grabbed three rebounds, and senior Lilly Hennessey, who had not played in several weeks due to a concussion, returned to action and grabbed two rebounds.
The Pirates traveled north to Chimicum High School on Friday, Jan. 15, for a non-league game and were able to secure a 28-point victory by a score of 54-26.
The team plays at 6 p.m. tonight at Cascade Christian.
— Joel Hille is the father
of a VHS girls
basketball player.
