The Pirate girls’ basketball team won its first two Nisqually league games last week.

League play began on Tuesday, Dec. 15, with a decisive win at Chimacum over the Cowboys. The Cowboys’ young defense eventually opened and caved to a Pirate offensive effort that featured 16 assists from eight different Vashon players (led by four from senior wing Abby Dolmseth).

Eight Pirates contributed to Vashon’s offensive efforts, with scoring paced by three players who reached double digits — Kelly Costello (13), Elisa Wendt (11) and Charlotte Kehoe (10).

But it was defense that carried the night. The Pirates allowed only seven points in the first half and eight points in the second half on their way to a 48-15 victory. Kiki Means recorded four of the Pirate’s 13 team steals as Vashon’s guards pestered the Cowboy backcourt.

The Pirates returned home on Friday to face and beat the Cascade Christian Cougars. The Cougars entered the game ranked 10th in the state, according to CoachesAid.com, and seemed intent on living up to the ranking coming out in an aggressive man-to-man defense. The Pirates struggled to score, but countered with their own defensive pressure as the first quarter ended with Vashon ahead 9-3.

For the remainder of the half, the Pirates capitalized on transition points, taking a 27-11 lead to halftime.

Vashon’s tireless defensive efforts were aided by key defensive contributions from Sophie Nespor, Dolmseth and Cat Amick, but the Pirates’ defense was anchored in the first half by Kehoe. Her eight blocks effectively forced the Cougars to abandon attempts to shoot in the paint.

Senior forward Chrissy Swope paced Vashon with 15 boards, 13 points and three steals. A balanced offensive effort was rounded as Costello (15 points), Kehoe (11) Wendt (12) and Means (7) all added to Vashon’s efforts on offense.

The Pirates travel to the Yakima Sun Dome after Christmas for games against 2009 state finalist Granger and perennial small school powerhouse LaSalle.

—Gary Means is the father of Pirate Kiki Means.