By Doug Langworthy

For The Beachcomber

The Vashon Island High School varsity boys basketball team put in a defensive performance against archrivals Charles Wright Academy in an important league game on Friday night, winning 40-26 at VHS in the early game of the boys’ and girls’ doubleheader.

The Pirates (11-4 overall, 2-1 in the Nisqually League) led wire-to-wire against the visiting Charles Wright Tarriers (8-7 overall, 1-2 in the Nisqually League). The Pirates boys rode their defense, jumping out to a 10-0 lead at the 1 minute-17-second mark of the first quarter en route to a 12-2 at its end and 23-10 at the half.

The Tarriers had no answer for the Pirates’ use of the high-low post power play, utilizing 6-foot-5-inch seniors Finbarr Anderson and Isaac Patchen on multiple occasions. When the Tarriers were able to defend against the high-low post play, Anderson was able to kick the ball out to an open Jeremiah Bogaard, who made the Tarriers pay with his three-point shooting ability.

Bogaard led the way in scoring for the Pirates with 17 points. Patchen and Anderson each chipped in eight points for the Pirates on the offensive end. It was the Pirates relentless defense that won the night as they forced turnovers and poor shot selection upon Charles Wright on numerous occasions.

The Pirates stretched the lead to 35-15 at the end of the third quarter behind Bogaard’s shooting and team defense. Junior guard Luca Aprile also contributed seven points for the Pirates.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Pirates varsity girls lost to the Tarriers 46–11.

The Pirates (2-12 overall, 0-4 in the Nisqually League) had no answer for the Tarriers (7-6 overall, 1-3 in the Nisqually League) offensive barrage. Standing out for the Pirates on the defensive end, keeping it as close as it could be, was junior guard Tamsen Henry, forcing many Tarriers turnovers and fighting for Pirates rebounds. Senior Ella Wheeler also chipped in with stops on the defensive end with blocks and forced turnovers.