PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend girls basketball team’s season came to an end with its 46-35 loss to Vashon in a district play-in game at Port Townsend High School.
“Just like the entire season, these young Redhawks fought all the way against the Pirates,” Port Townsend coach Scott Wilson said.
“They never quit. We end this season on the high note of proven heart and hustle.
“With most of our players coming back, we just need to build on the skills and discipline we saw from the best teams on our schedule.”
The Redhawks led 23-18 at halftime Thursday thanks to a tough man-to-man defense and the reliable free-throw shooting of Jenna Carson and Reilly Berkshire.
The Pirates took advantage of defensive miscues by Port Townsend in the third quarter and outscored the Redhawks 17-7 in the period.
Kaitlyn Meek led Port Townsend with 10 points. Freshman Jaz Apker-Montoya had nine, Carson added eight, Berkshire had five and Kassie Olin finished with three.
The Redhawks lose just two seniors — Olin and Berkshire — and most of the players who come back next year will be juniors and sophomores.
Port Townsend improves from two wins last season to eight in 2015-16. The Redhawks placed third in Olympic League 1A play with a 4-5 record (8-13 overall).
“The girls showed consistent progress throughout the season,” Wilson said.
“Thanks to our defensive effort we were contenders in every game in the second two-thirds of the season. We held almost every team well below their scoring average.
“But we never unlocked our own scoring potential, so there’s another dimension to come for these Redhawks.”
Meek led Port Townsend in most categories. She was particularly effective when the Redhawks were facing other Class 1A schools, averaging 14 points on 40 percent shooting, along with 8.7 rebounds and 4.7 steals.
Vashon 46, Port Townsend 35
Vashon 5 13 17 11— 46
Port Townsend 9 14 7 5— 35
Individual scoring
Vashon (46)
Janretty 11, Anderson 10, Hennessy 7, Hille 7, Kuyper 4, Atwell 4, Larson 2.
Port Townsend (35)
Meek 10, Apker-Montoya 9, Carson 8, Berkshire 5, Olin 3.
Cedar Park Christian 63, Quilcene 27
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The Rangers’ season had a rough ending in the Class 1B Tri-District play-in game against the Lions.
Quilcene coach Briana Weller said the Rangers made too many mistakes and struggled on both ends of the floor.
“There was no excuse for us to lose this game,” Weller said. “We had really done our homework and were highly prepared for the Lions. We just weren’t focused or physically assertive.
“It really had me stumped . . . shocked. I would love to have a re-do on this one”
Weller said she was hoping that the 2015-16 Rangers, particularly their two seniors, Megan Weller and Katlyn Hitt, would be able go out on a better note.
“As a coach, you want your team to play their best and give it their all,” Briana Weller said, “then win or lose, be happy with the outcome.”
Megan Weller led Quilcene with 19 points.
“Megan Weller played her heart out,” Briana Weller said. “Always determined, never backing down, and giving 100 percent.
“She has had a stellar high school performance. She leaves behind some very large shoes to fill. Coach/Mom is really going to miss her.”
Regardless of the rough final game, Briana Weller is proud of the Rangers’ season.
They were 10-10 overall and 5-4 in SeaTac League play, which earned them a fifth-place finish out of 12 teams.
They had a seven-game winning streak in January, and most of their losses this season were by small margins.
Hailey Carlson led Cedar Park Christian of Mountlake Terrace with 26 points.
Cedar Park Christian 63, Quilcene 27
Quilcene 5 4 11 7— 27
Cedar Park 12 12 24 15— 63
Individual scoring
Quilcene (27)
M. Weller 19, Jones 4, Hitt 2, Brown 2.
Cedar Park Christian (63)
Carlson 26, Sal. Yosef 19, Perekopskaya 10, Copeland 4, Reymore 2, Sar. Yosef 2.
Mount Vernon Christian 53, Clallam Bay 25
MOUNT VERNON — The Bruins season ended one game short of the 1B Tri-District tournament when they lost to the Hurricanes in a play-in game.
Clallam Bay concludes the season 14-5, and their victory over Northwest Yeshiva was their first postseason win in several years.
And, fortunately, all but two players will return next season.
Freshman Miriam Wonderly led the Bruins with seven points and also had two steals in Thursday night’s loss.
Jennica Maines added six points, five steals and three rebounds, and Molly McCoy and Atokena Abe each scored four points and grabbed three boards.
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Compiled using team reports.
