By GARY MEANS

The Vashon Pirate girls basketball team opened Nisqually League play last week with two league games. The Pirates lost competitive games to the Cedar Park Christian Eagles on Dec. 11 and to the Seattle Christian Warriors on Dec. 13.

In the game against the Eagles, the Pirates found themselves trailing early in a 40-33 loss. Three first-quarter fouls to senior Anya Quig impacted the Pirates, but they stayed in the contest, trailing at the half by only 7 points, 21-14.

A solid second half saw the Pirates match the Eagles point-for-point, but they were not able to close the gap in the loss.

A balanced scoring effort was led by Annika Hille, who scored 10 points. Siena Jannettey (9), Tiana Koenig (9), Quig (4) and Kate Atwell (2) also tallied baskets for the Pirates.

In the second game of the week, the Pirates started slowly against the Warriors, trailing by 11 at the half (21-10). A strong rally to start the second half resulted in the Pirates taking a 4-point lead to end the third quarter ahead, 31-27, but that lead would not hold up in a 47-41 loss.

Quig led the Pirates with 18 points.  Jannetty and Hille added 8 points apiece, with Koenig (4) and Lilly Hennessey (3) rounding out the Pirate scoring.

The Pirates take on Auburn Adventist Academy at home today with a JV game at 5:30 and varsity game at 7 p.m. Vashon will play Cascade Christian in Puyallup on Friday prior to the holiday break.

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