The Vashon High School girls basketball team bounced back back from their league-opening loss to Seattle Christian, winning two games in a row last week: a non-league contest versus the Auburn Adventist Falcons, 43-24, on Tuesday, Dec. 14, and their league opener against the Life Christian Eagles, 52-34, on Friday.
The Pirates opened Tuesday’s game quickly — scoring on their first two possessions — on the strength of two outside efforts (one for three points) from freshman Anya Quig.
Vashon’s quick 5-0 lead was extended to a 14-2 advantage sparked by the backcourt play of Jasmine Acosta, who came in off the bench to solidify the Pirate effort.
The Falcons rallied in the second quarter, closing to within five points, but Vashon ended the quarter on a run, taking an eight-point lead to the half, 20-12.
The other key to the Pirate success was their defense. Coach Henry Porter noted, “One of our strengths, on an otherwise relatively young team, is the consistent effort we are getting defensively.”
Vashon held the Falcons to a total of 14 points through the first three quarters.
The Pirates were led by Charlotte Kehoe, who scored most of her nine points in the final quarter (going three for four from the line and hitting a game ending, nothing-but-net three). Cat Amick (4), Jasmine Acosta (4) and Rachael Hoffman (2) rounded out the scoring as the Pirates won 43-24.
The Pirates played their home league opener on Friday, taking on the Life Christian Eagles, who have significantly improved and will be competing in class 1A this season.
Vashon controlled the boards all night, but in the first quarter struggled offensively, scoring only six points (the last two coming on their final possession).
The Pirates trailed at the end of the first quarter, 10-6. Vashon’s ball movement and offensive pace benefitted from the insertion of junior point guard Marya Munsey, who came into the game in the second quarter. By halftime, the Pirates held a 24-15 advantage.
Vashon led by as much as 19 points in the second half, on their way to a 52-34 final score.
Kehoe carried the offense with a game high of 25 points. The remainder of the Pirate point production was paced by Amick (10), Hoffman (5) and Munsey (4). Acosta, Quig, Kelsey Abella and Katherine Misel added two points each.
Vashon improved its overall record to 3-1 (1-1 record in Nisqually League play).
“We are beginning to find our identity on offense,” said Porter after the game. “Marya made a big difference tonight, doing the little things that point guards have to do if their team is going to find success”, he added.
The Pirate girls basketball team played Steilacoom High School on Tuesday. They will travel to Yakima on Wednesday, Dec. 29, for the Sun Dome Showdown.
— Gary Means is the assistant coach of the Pirate girls basketball team.
