There is no “S” on JoJo Webster’s chest, but the Oak Harbor senior guard saved the day by draining a long three at the buzzer to help the Wildcats win 49-47 at Everett Tuesday, Dec. 11.
Webster’s clutch bucket rescued Oak Harbor from a near disaster when the Wildcats saw an eight-point lead evaporate in the final minutes.
The game was close throughout (nine ties and 13 lead changes) and neither team led by more than four until a Wildcat surge early in the fourth quarter.
Everett led 12-8 at the end of the first quarter and 27-23 at the half.
Oak Harbor started the second half on an 11-4 run, then Everett recovered to lead 37-36 heading into the final period.
A three pointer by Drew Washington opened the fourth, and baskets by Chris Hailer, Dayne Herron and Webster followed and Oak Harbor led 45-37 before Everett finally scored for the first time in the period with 3:10 left.
The Seagulls then added eight more points to Oak Harbor’s one and took the lead 47-46 on Jace Chacon’s hoop and potential three-point play with nine seconds left.
Chacon missed the free throw, the ball was given to Webster, who raced up the court, used a hesitation move to create space and then stepped back to drill the buzzer beater.
Oak Harbor coach Mike Washington said it was decided if his team fell behind in the final seconds that the ball was to go to Webster and “let him make a play.”
He added, “I have a lot of confidence in Jo; we saw him hit a lot of game winners in the summer. We just give it to Jo and let it happen.”
Oak Harbor almost didn’t have Webster at the end. Webster picked up his fourth foul with 6:26 left in the third quarter and sat until the beginning of the fourth.
“He played smart” with the four fouls said coach Washington.
Before Webster’s heroics, Drew Washington and Herron helped keep Oak Harbor in the game with 19 and 12 points. Webster finished with 11, Hailer six and Gabe Groeing one.
Hailer had eight rebounds and Washington seven as the Wildcats bettered the ‘Gulls on the boards 37-32. Oak Harbor had 16 turnovers to nine for Everett.
The Wildcats had a nice shooting night, hitting 45 percent (20-for-44); Everett shot only 32.7 percent (16-for 49).
Chacon recorded a game-high 23 points as only five players on each team scored.
Oak Harbor (1-1, 2-2) hosts Marysville-Pilchuck (0-1, 0-5) at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18.
