The Vashon girls basketball team dropped a home game against the state number-four ranked Cascade Christian Cougars on Friday.

While the Pirates reliably broke the Cougar full-court press, they only managed 8 points in the game, struggling to consistently implement their half-court offense.

The departure of junior guard Anya Quig in the first minute of the game was one key development that slowed a youthful Vashon squad, which features three freshmen playing key roles.

Freshman Siena Jannetty has been averaging 9 points per game while her classmates Kate Atwell and Annika Hille have split starting roles to this point of the season.

A spirited defensive effort and two buckets from junior post Taegen Lynch allowed the youthful Pirates to keep the game within reach early as the first quarter ended with Vashon yielding to only 12 points, down 12-4.

Unfortunately, the Pirates would score only 4 more points in the game, which ended in a lopsided 50-8 loss.

After surrendering 18 points in the third quarter, the Pirates finished the game with an all-freshman lineup in the fourth quarter, which featured Ally Clevenger, Natalie VanDevanter, Lilly Hennessey, Atwell and Hille.

“The result of the game was disappointing, but I was really encouraged by the effort,” Coach Henry Porter said after the game. He specifically pointed to the five players who played out the fourth quarter.

“They never quit; they never gave up, and this is one key to our continued improvement that is completely in our control,” he added.

Vashon scoring was paced by Lynch’s 4 points, while Clevenger and VanDevanter added two points each.

The Pirates continued Nisqually League play with a game against Life Christian on Tuesday prior to press deadline. They will play at Bellevue Christian on Friday.

— Gary Means is the assistant coach of the VHS girls basketball team.