Pirates keep it hot on the court

In the first of three games over four days, the Pirates took an eight-point lead into halftime on Tuesday, Jan. 22, against Life Christian. Unfortunately for Vash-on, the Eagles came out strong after the break, scoring the first 10 points of the third quarter and jumping to an early lead to start the second half.

By Gary Means • February 1, 2012 1:20 pm
Pirate sophomore Tianna Koenig drives to the basket past Cascade Christian senior Delaney Roosendaal late in Friday's basketball game.
Pirate sophomore Tianna Koenig drives to the basket past Cascade Christian senior Delaney Roosendaal late in Friday's basketball game.

In the first of three games over four days, the Pirates took an eight-point lead into halftime on Tuesday, Jan. 22, against Life Christian. Unfortunately for Vash-on, the Eagles came out strong after the break, scoring the first 10 points of the third quarter and jumping to an early lead to start the second half.

The Pirates regained the lead to end the third quarter up by one, 26-25. Missed transition scoring op-portunities and poor rebounding hampered the team in the second half. Trailing by two points in the final two minutes, Vashon had three possessions but only got off one shot, and lost 33-36.

Pirate scoring was paced by Charlotte Kehoe with 15 points. Anya Quig chipped in 11, Rachel Hoffman scored seven and Tagen Lynch added a deuce.

The final two games of the week were played against the Nisqually League’s current first place team, Cascade Christian, and second place team, Seattle Christian, with both games ending in Pirate losses.

The Pirates travelled to Seattle Christian without junior point guard Jasmine Acosta, who missed both late-week games due to an injury. Trailing at the half, 24-12, the Pirates struggled in the second half, ultimately losing to the Warriors, 59-16.

The Pirates lost an additional piece of their offense for Friday’s game against Cascade Christian when Quig was unable to suit up. The Pirate’s battled gamely, but were overmatched, going down to the Cougars, 15-53.

The loss to Life Christian was significant because a win would have kept the Pirates in position to take sole possession of the third seed and a home playoff game as the regular season winds to a close.

Vashon’s record is now 4-5 in league play. The Pirates will need to win their three remaining games and get some help from the Cougars and Warriors to be guaranteed at least a tie for third place.

The Pirates have two more regular season home games. On Jan. 31, Vashon will host Orting. The Pirates play their regular season finale, celebrating Senior Night, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, against Chimacum.