The Vashon Pirates lost their first league game of the season last week in a spirited and tough match against their league nemesis, Cascade Christian.
The game, on Cascade territory Tuesday, Jan. 26, was played before a packed gym — with nearly as many Pirate fans as Cougar fans present. And while the final score — 60-45 — would suggest this was not a close game, in fact with less than three minutes remaining, it became one. But more about that later.
The score at the end of the first quarter was a dispiriting Cougars 15, Vashon 4. Every time the Cougars aimed the ball at the basket, it went in — and most were three point shots. To the contrary, everything — from three point shots to short shots to layups — would not drop for the Pirates.
The Cougars had their usual defense against John Gage — with a player in front and back coached to provide maximum irritation. Poor Pirate shooting was further distressed by three errant passes and turnovers while inbounding the ball under the Pirate hoop. With 1.6 seconds on the clock at the end of the first quarter, Cougar Washburn took a shot from beyond the half court line that touched only net — not a pretty sight — and foretold what the night would be like.
Five minutes into the second quarter, however, Matt Kerns finally knocked down a three to bring the score to Vashon 7, CC 20. Quality Pirate shots continued to hit a lid on the basket, but fortunately foul shots dropped in. At half time, with the score Vashon 15, Cascade Christian 33, the Pirates were experiencing their largest halftime deficit of the year — 18 points.
The start of the second half found both teams a bit sloppy. The Cougars had cooled off, and Pirate ball handling and defense were restored, but neither team was dominating. With the clock at 5:18 in the second quarter and Vashon 18, CC 40, the Cougars had stretched their lead to 22 points — the largest lead of the night.
By the start of the fourth quarter Vashon was down 18 points when things started to change. Alex Wegner was driving to the basket, Gage was hitting his shots, Cougars were turning over the ball and missing free throws. With the 3:33 remaining, the score was Vashon 45, Cascade Christian 49, a 4-point difference. The Cougar crowd had quieted down, and the Pirate fans were beginning to hope for a win.
The Pirates got the ball back on an errant Cougar in-bound pass. With the clock showing less than three minutes, the Pirates were looking for a quality three-point shot or an easy two. Wegner took the shot, but it didn’t go in and he was fouled, shooting for two. The first shot went in, and now the Pirates were down only three points — with a chance to be down by two if the next free throw dropped. Then a referee whistle blow; a free throw lane infraction was called — stepping over the line before the ball hit the basket.
The free throw was taken off the scoreboard and the ball turned over to the Cougars. Momentum was lost. Regaining control of the ball meant the Pirates had to foul, but unfortunately, the Cougar they had to foul was the team’s best free-throw shooter. Thus, with the Cougars converting every free throw into points, they quickly outpaced the Pirates.
By the time the final whistle blew, the Cougs were up 15 points.
Pirate points against the Cougars were: Gage 16, Quinn Holert 13, Kerns 6, Wegner 6, Matt Amick 2, Elias Weston 2, Christian Hasson, Tyler Stoffer, Corey Williamson.
Pirates overwhelm Orting
The Pirates were ready to return to their winning ways after their loss to Cascade Christian, and the Orting Cardinals were the first to fall victim, when the two teams met up on Vashon turf on Jan. 29.
The game ended with a decisive victory, 56-35.
The Cardinals showed determination by being down only two points at the end of the first quarter, score Vashon 13, Orting 11. John Gage, however, dominated the first quarter and, indeed, the entire game, matching his season high of 31 points.
Alex Wegner, Quinn Holert and Gage added firepower in the second quarter, carrying the lead to Vashon 26, Orting 21. But Orting was still in the hunt at the halftime.
Refreshed, refocused and determined, the Pirates returned for the second half and put on a shooting and defense display. With only one minute into the quarter Gage made a steal and took the ball in for slam dunk — gaining one more point after being fouled and sinking the free throw. That was the ignition for a huge cheer from the bleachers — we love those dunks — and put the Pirates on full power offensively and defensively. Steals were being turned into fast breaks and more lay-ups, and Gage was hitting nothing but net. Aggressive rebounding found missed Pirate shots being put back in the hoop. The Orting Cardinals were overwhelmed and without an answer. By the end of the third quarter, the Pirates had outscored Orting, 17 to 5, resulting in an end-of-the-third score of Vashon 43, Orting 26.
The fourth quarter found solid contributions from the bench with Matt Amick blocking shots, rebounding and making a nice put-back off a rebound. Holert and Elias Weston found their way to the basket for lay-ups, and Wegner continued his strong performance on capturing rebounds and jump shots.
Every Pirate found playing time and showed good contributions in their defense and ball handling.
With three weeks to go before play-offs, however, the Pirates are clinging to their first-place standing in the league.
Coach Andy Sears said the team still needs to press hard. “We’re not where we want to be, for sure,” he said.
There are only three games left in the regular season, he noted, “But we have a lot of practice time. And we’re using it. … We can’t stay the same. We’ve got to get better. And we will.”
Pirate points against Ortng: Gage, 31, Wegner, 11, Quinn Holert 6, Matt Amick 2, Matt Kerns 2, Elias Weston 2, Hamzah Griffin, Jesse Hazzard, Dan Lofland, Corey Williamson.
