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The Vashon High School boys basketball team suffered a loss against Nisqually league rival Cascade Christian (Puyallup) on Friday. A determined Cougar team refused to let the festive senior night atmosphere distract them from the difficult task of taking on the Pirates’ league-leading team.

The Vashon boys started much like other games this season with solid full court defense that led to turnovers and points. A pressure steal leading to a layup from Vashon senior Sam Schoenberg, then a shot-clock violation turnover, then Sam Yates sinking a three-point shot, and it felt like many other games for the Pirates this year, where they have a 6-1 record against Nisqually opponents.

In one scary moment midway through the first half, Vashon sophomore Jahmiah Hoogen took a pass from Yates low under the basket and pump-faked a shot at the basket, which caused Cascade Christian’s senior Jesse Howells to jump high for the block. As Howells came down, he flipped over the back of Hoogen and collapsed on the floor, where he lay for several minutes while being assessed for injury. Although Howells walked to the bench under his own power, he did not play again in the game.

Although Vashon’s defense prevented the Cougars from scoring over several stretches, the offense couldn’t make them pay on the other end. Vashon senior Alex Symbol was able to score down low, and junior Casper Forest was able to hit a three, but later on a run through the lane, Yates launched himself high in the air above the rim and laid the ball right into the hoop. But the basket was waived-off by the referee, claiming an offensive foul on Yates even though the contact came well after the basket was made. The Pirates ended the first half down to Cascade Christian 20-25.

The second half started well enough for the Pirates, with senior Edgar Polkat scrapping for a rebound and Yates hitting clean midrange jump shots. Vashon senior Sean Delargy streaked in the lane for a sweet arcing runner into the basket, and after Symbol hit a free throw, the game was tied at 25 with five minutes left in the third.

With Howells out of the game, fellow senior Andrew Tigges had to step up to keep the Cougars from falling behind to Vashon. With help from junior Leighton Lanier, the team was able to be very physical with Vashon in the lane and aggressively box-out our rebounders. However, this also led to several Cougar players being in serious foul trouble due to the physical play, and players began to foul out of the game with 2:35 left in the fourth period, but with the Cougars leading by 10 points.

As the fourth quarter waned, the action came from Vashon senior starting five: Sean Delargy, Edgar Polkat, Sam Schoenberg, Alex Symbol-Godfrey and Sam Yates as they were able to prevent the Cougars from scoring. Vashon also managed to make baskets driving the lane, but the Pirates seemed unable to sink any outside shots and lost the game scoring only 41 points against 47 for Cascade Christian.

The Pirates hope to rebound for the next game on Monday at Charles Wright Academy in University Place at 7 p.m. The Vashon boys have already qualified for the 1A District 3 Tournament that begins this week, and their first post-season game will either be Saturday, Feb. 13, on Vashon at the high school gym or Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Sumner High School.

— Joel Schoenberg is the father of a Pirate basketball player.