By JOEL SCHOENBERG
For The Beachcomber
The Vashon High School boys’ varsity basketball team hosted the Bellevue Christian Vikings (Clyde Hill) at the high school on Tuesday, Jan. 12, and came away with a solid win based on superior speed and aggressive defense.
The Vikings committed several turnovers under the duress of the Pirates’ full-court press, and the lead was 16-3 at the end of the first quarter. Edgar Polkat led the way, showcasing rebounding, putback baskets and three-point shots from his repertoire.
Seattle Christian attempted to run its offense through standout senior center Joe Lampkin, but the Pirates swarmed him with solid defense to prevent scoring, and Alex Symbol won the matchup down low, consistently clearing the defensive rebounds. With multiple steals from Sam Schoenberg, it felt like Bellevue Christian simply couldn’t penetrate the defensive posture of the Pirates, and Vashon led at the half 29-7.
The Pirates started the second half, missing shots from distance, but after a cold-snapping tip-in rebound from Sam Yates and a buzzer beater three-point shot from Edgar Polkat, Vashon was back in control, leading 39-14 at the half.
After Lamkin, the 6-foot, 6-inch senior Boise State recruit, hit a three-point shot, Vashon’s Polkat answered with his own three pointer, quick steal and assist to Schoenberg to effectively put the game away. Vashon wins at home. 48-22.
Vashon met Lindbergh High School at the King Showcase basketball event Monday, Jan. 18, at the Showare Center in Kent. Although the Vashon Island Pirates started strong, the fourth quarter ended with a non-league loss for the Pirates to the 2A team from Renton.
The first half saw Vashon build a double-digit lead in the early minutes. Symbol was targeted in the low-post and won many battles with the Eagles’ center Darren Sawyer-Lamb, converting several of his signature speedy low-post bank shots on a pivot that leaves the opponent defenseless.
The quick Pirate defense and full-court press nullified much of the speed from the Eagles and their standout junior point guard Kelton Williams. Meanwhile, Vashon’s offense was capable from range under the bright lights of the Showare center’s pro-style basketball court. Still, the Eagles persistence brought them to within two points of Vashon at the end of the first half, 22-20.
Vashon started the third quarter with missed opportunities and turnovers that led to Lindbergh gaining momentum into the late stages of the game. Even so, Vashon’s senior forward Schoenberg sank a deep three-point shot that tied the game at 30 at the end of three periods.
In the fourth, Sean Delargy drained a three pointer and was fouled, but Lindbergh seemed to find their shooting accuracy and took advantage of ball handling miscues from the Pirate backcourt to come back in the game and defeat the Pirates 46-43.
The Pirates play Friday at home against Charles Wright Academy at 7 p.m.
