Strong execution at both ends of the court carried the Oak Harbor High School girls basketball team to a 57-46 season-opening win over visiting Mariner Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The Wildcats led 16-10 and 22-19 after the first two quarters, then outscored the Marauders by six in the third period to take a nine-point lead in the last period.

On offense, Oak Harbor attacked the basket, which “put some stress on Mariner,” according to Wildcat coach Jon Atkins, leading to foul trouble for several of the Marauders’ top players.

On defense, the Wildcats “executed a good game plan to limit and contest” Mariners’ three-point shooting, Atkins said.

AnnaBelle Whitefoot paced Oak Harbor with a solid all-around game, scoring 20 points, grabbing seven rebounds and handing out two assists. Janae Payne had five points, eight rebounds and three steals.

Rashanna Graham and Bryn Langrock each tallied 13 points; Langrock getting nine from a trio of three-pointers.

Matti Miesle, Deja Bunch and Julie Jansen scored two points each, and Bunch added three assists.

Overall, the Wildcats “played really well,” Atkins said, adding, however, that his club needs to cut down on turnovers (they had 24) and improve free throw shooting (24-44, 55 percent).

Oak Harbor shot well from the floor, hitting 41 percent and sinking as many field goals (15) as Mariner in 19 fewer attempts.

The Wildcats outscored the Marauders by 12 at the foul line.

“One of the biggest differences I saw from the girls last night was that they were able to respond really well to the other team’s runs,” Atkins said. “When they had a run, we were able to respond with a run of our own.”

Oak Harbor goes to Shorecrest at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, then plays at home Monday (Squalicum) and Wednesday (Mount Vernon) at 7:15 p.m.