The Vashon girls basketball team took to the hardwood last week with games against the Seattle Christian Warriors on Tuesday, Jan. 15, and the top-ranked Cascade Christian Cougars on Saturday. The Pirates lost both games and were not helped by the number of key players who were out sick.

In the game against the Warriors, Vashon led for much of the first half. Two quick Warrior buckets just before the end of the second quarter erased the Pirate lead, but Vashon trailed by only a point, 18-17, to start the third.

The Pirates managed only 8 points in the final two quarters as their offense output deserted them in the second half of a 45-25 loss.

Anya Quig led Vashon’s scoring with 13 points. Taegen Lynch added 6 points with, Kalie Heffernan and Annika Hille adding 3 apiece.

A Saturday evening trip to Puyallup to take on state number-two ranked Cascade Christian represented another opportunity for the team to test itself.

While Vashon did a commendable job breaking the Cougar full-court press, they could not get shots to fall in a 50-9 loss. Siena Jannetty led the Pirate effort with 5 points, while Lynch and Quig added 2 each.

In spite of the losses, Vashon continues to show improvement in several areas.

“The girls continue to work hard all game on defense, and we are handling full-court pressure much better than we did earlier this year,” said coach Henry Porter.

“Offensively, our team-wide shot selection is improving, and as this becomes something we do more instinctually, I think we will be playing even closer to our best potential,” he added.

The Pirates played a home game Tuesday after press deadline against Life Christian and will play Bellevue Christian on Saturday.

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