The Pirate boys basketball team ended the week in another split. Vashon won its first contest against Charles Wright Academy, but lost at home against a dominant Cedar Park Christian team.
On Tuesday, Jan. 8, the Pirates traveled to the Charles Dome to face an even-matched Tarriers team.
“It was a very physical game,” said coach Andy Sears.
The first quarter was back and fourth; neither team was able to pull away from the other. Sophomore Jesse Norton got off to a hot start, scoring most of the points for the Pirates in the first quarter, but the Tarriers kept pace throughout the quarter. The first period ended 11-10, the Tarriers on top.
The second quarter was much of the same story, but the Pirates had the upper hand and their defense started to toughen up. Norton had a great block down near the basket, followed by one of his smooth layups. Later in the quarter, freshman Sam Yates hit a 3-pointer to put the Pirates in the lead. At the end of the half, the Pirates led, 25-20.
The third quarter was low on scoring with a lot of tough defense by both teams. Down in the paint, it seemed more like a wrestling match then a basketball game. The Pirates scored 5 with the Tarriers scoring 7.
The fourth quarter was a sprint to the finish line. People in the crowd seemed to know the game would be decided in the final seconds.
With less than a minute left, Norton hit a big 3 to take the lead. In the final seconds, Charles Wright had a chance to win, but the Pirate defense won the battle and the game with a final score of 42-39. Norton led the pirates in scoring with 20 points.
The Pirates returned home on Friday to face the number-one ranked Cedar Park Christian.
The first quarter was very one-sided in Cedar Park’s favor. They dominated on offense, scoring fast, and the Pirates didn’t play smart offense for most of the quarter.
Sophomore Ian Stewart started to pick it up in the second part of the first, getting some crucial steals and driving the lane with authority.
In the second quarter, Norton added a couple of 3-pointers, and the Pirates began their comeback. The defense started to play harder, and the Pirates took the lead to end the half up, 19-17.
The second half began dismally for the Pirates, who scored only 5 points in the third quarter to Cedar Park’s 18. But the Pirates came alive in the fourth, scoring 20.
Despite the comeback, the Pirates had dug themselves too deep of a hole and lost the game, 69-52. Senior Ben Whitaker led Vashon in scoring with 18 points.
“You can really see why they are the number-one team,” Sears said after the game. The game showed the Pirates what kind of competition they will need to beat to make it to the state tournament.
— Ezra Lacina is a student at Vashon High School.
