The Pirate boys basketball team played in the SunDome Shootout in Yakima last Thursday and Friday and came away with two losses.

On Thursday Vashon lost to La Salle High School of Yakima, 39-23. The Pirates struggled early to hit shots and scored only two points in the first quarter. The first half ended with three Pirate players scoring — Ben Whitaker and Owen Brenno each scored two, and Jessie Hazzard hit two shots and a free throw. While the Pirates played good defense, La Salle seized the opportunity on Pirate turnovers and was up 24-9 at half.

La Salle went on a 12-point run in the third quarter, mainly from Pirate turnovers, to end the third quarter ahead at 36-11. Jessie Norton hit three three-point shots in the fourth quarter to give a spark to the offense. The defense held La Salle to only three points in the fourth quarter and turned the ball over less. The game ended 39-23, with five Pirate players scoring in the game.

On Friday the Pirates played Deer Park High School and took another loss, 59-27. Again the Pirates had trouble finding the basket to begin the game. They were able to step it up on defense and ended the quarter down 12-5. In the second quarter Pirate turnovers again led to opponent points, and they ended the half behind 26-7

The Pirates scored 14 points in the third quarter, with threes from Whitaker and Norton, but turnovers resulted in more Deer Park points. The quarter ended with Deer Park ahead 38-21. In the final quarter the Pirates were unable to keep possessions and score while Deer Park scored on a bonanza of Pirate turnovers, leading to the final 59-27 score.

The Pirates played at Cascade Christian on Tuesday after press deadline. The team will play Orting away on Friday, and the next home game will be against Charles Wright at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

—Brian Brenno is the father of a Pirate basketball player.