By Joel Schoenberg
For The Beachcomber
The Vashon Island High School boys varsity basketball team won 40 to 35 in the district tournament against the Klahowya Eagles from Silverdale over the weekend. Now the team heads to the regional playoffs on Friday.
Senior players Isaac Patchen, Finnbarr Anderson and Jeremiah Bogaard were facing playing the last basketball game for VHS this year, but the Pirates won with their defensive effort, which was on display all season. They have allowed the lowest points per game in the entire state of Washington at all levels of schools.
“We anticipated a close game and the team’s mind was set just right to win,” said Bogaard, who played the entire game and scored 18 of the teams 40 points.
Part of the team’s defensive effort on Saturday meant that the shooting guards from Klahowya just couldn’t get their shot off cleanly, and VHS demonstrated their height advantage to get the rebounds. When the Eagles tried to penetrate to the basket, the defense quickly recovered, with junior Zach Van Dusen drawing a key offensive foul from Klahowya, giving the Pirates a big boost in the first half.
Klahowya played quick defense and double-teamed VHS seniors every time they got the ball. Anderson was able to get the pass and hold the ball up high, but every time he went to the ground with the ball, three Eagles were there preventing the Pirate from making a basket. Vashon’s Patchen was able to break through and pivoted to make baskets off the glass, bringing his shooting touch back just at the right time of the playoffs.
In the second half, the defensive effort from VHS continued, with multiple guards out on the floor at once, including junior Lucas Schoenberg. Junior Levi Moore again brought a boost from the bench, and in one case, raised his arms up high to block a shot from Klahowya senior Devin Patch, before scrambling to get the rebound for the Pirates.
On offense, VHS sunk the outside shot, which had escaped them in recent games, such as when junior Luca Aprile did so from deep range, drawing the Eagle defense every time he got the ball. Van Dusen hit a three-point shot that gave VHS confidence down the stretch. After the game, VHS senior center Anderson said, “Zach’s three was a momentum changer for us.”
The Washington State Regional Playoffs is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, in Mount Vernon. Meridian High School ended their district tournament in fourth place and is ranked in 13th place state-wide, one better than the 14th place ranked Vashon High School Pirates.
Joel Schoenberg provides commentary on Voice of Vashon radio and is a parent of current VHS basketball player Lucas Schoenberg.
