Guaranteeing a spot in the district playoffs, the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team trimmed visiting Everett 67-55 Tuesday, Jan. 22.
With the win, Oak Harbor (5-5, 9-8) can now finish no lower than third in the Wesco 3A North with three games remaining.
The top four teams from the two Wesco divisions move on to the eight-team district with one exception. Ferndale, the only 3A team in the Northwest Conference, can replace one of the fourth-place Wesco teams if it has a superior record. The Golden Eagles currently sit at 5-4 (8-9 overall). It their mark is better than both fourth-place teams, it will bump the team with the lowest winning percentage.
Against Everett, Drew Washington hit his first of five three-pointers to tie the game at 8 midway through the first quarter. From there, Oak Harbor never trailed as it went on a 10-2 run with five different players scoring.
Washington, who was praised for his efforts in the game by coach Mike Washington, broke out of a two-game shooting slump to lead the Wildcats with 26 points. He added six rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Coach Washington also lauded the all-around play of Gabe Groenig who finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
JoJo Webster scored 13 points, Dayne Herron 10 and Dyllan Harris, starting in place of Chris Hailer who was out with an illness, eight.
Oak Harbor led 18-12, 28-20 and 47-36 at the quarters.
The Seagulls (2-8, 5-12) hung tough. Each time Oak Harbor opened a double-digit lead, the ‘Gulls fought back, getting within seven late in the third quarter.
The Wildcats, not only Drew Washington, struggled offensively recently, but Oak Harbor shot 51 percent (23-for-25) against Everett.
The Seagulls shot just 35 percent, and was set on trying to keep pace by firing from long range. Everett put up 33 three-point shots to only 21 two-pointers, and hit 10 (30 percent).
Steven Tran led Everett with 14 points but made only two of 13 threes. David Popach also tallied 14 and was three of nine from outside.
Everett did win one statistical battle, outscoring Oak Harbor 15-1 off turnovers although it committed only one fewer, 13 to 14.
Oak Harbor hosts Shorecrest (3-7, 9-8) of the Wesco South at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25.
