By JOEL HILLE
For The Beachcomber
Vashon Island High School’s girls’ basketball team traveled north on Saturday, Dec 19, and defeated the Darrington Loggers.
The Pirates were able to take command of the game early thanks to the hot hand of freshman Chloe Kuyper. Within the first few minutes of the game, she snatched a couple steals, converted them into fast break lay-ins, grabbed a defensive rebound, took a few dribbles down the court and calmly drained a three-pointer from the top of the key.
Senior Natalie VanDevanter finished out the first quarter scoring with a nice mid-range shot from just inside the free throw line for an 11-6 lead.
Thanks to the aggressive play of the Pirates, who again converted several steals into fast-break points, the Loggers’ offensive struggles continued in the second quarter. Junior Eva Anderson and Kuyper provided more offense, while senior Annika Hille converted three of four free throws and made a mid-range shot to end the half with the Pirates leading 23-11.
The second half featured more of the same, and the Pirates rolled to an easy 51-23 win. Hille got the hot hand in the second half on her way to a career high 21 points. Kuyper finished with a season best of 17 points, and junior Eva Anderson added eight.
Senior Melanie Stoffer led the rebounding effort with seven; Kuyper and Anderson each grabbed six boards, and VanDevanter grabbed five.
On Tuesday, Dec 22, Vashon hosted the Coupeville Wolves in another non-league game for both teams. The challenge for the Pirates in this game was defending Wolves senior Makana Stone, a solid 5-foot 11- inch tall post player, who averaged over 18 points per game entering the contest.
It turned out to be a defensive game for both teams, as the scoring was difficult to come by, and the Pirates played to a 15-all tie in the first half.
The Wolves went on a 7-0 run to begin the third quarter as the Pirates went cold and couldn’t get any shots to fall. Anderson was finally able to stop the bleeding by nailing a three-pointer with about three minutes remaining in the period. But the Pirates managed only six points in the quarter and trailed by five entering the final period.
In the fourth quarter, freshman Olivia Larson gave a nice defensive effort while Anderson again came up with some timely shots to keep the game within reach. But the Pirates couldn’t close the gap, and the Wolves were able to secure a 36-29 victory.
Anderson led the Pirates on offense with nine points; Hille had seven, and Kuyper had six.
Kuyper also grabbed five rebounds, Hille and VanDevanter grabbed four each, and Anderson and junior Selena Mildon grabbed three each.
The girls traveled to Mount Vernon over the Christmas holiday to participate in the Bulldog Classic Invitational, on Dec. 28 and 29, after press time.
The Pirates will begin league play in January with a 7:15 p.m. away game Friday, Jan. 8 ,against Seattle Christian.
— Joel Hille is the father of a VHS girls’ basketball player.
