Shorecrest took advantage of Oak Harbor’s cold shooting in the first quarter to scoot an early lead on the way to defeating the host Wildcats 53-27 in girls basketball Friday, Dec. 5.

Oak Harbor managed only three free throws in the first period as the Scots (2-1) jumped out 14-3.

A minute into the second quarter the Wildcats finally tallied a field goal when Jinai Guzman stole a Shorecrest pass and scored on a fast break. Hayley Lundstrom added two buckets in the next minute.

Although the Wildcats got their offense going, they couldn’t slow the Scots, who led 30-13 at halftime and 42-21 after three quarters.

Nine different Wildcats scored in the game, but none had more than Lundstrom’s six. AnnaBelle Whitefoot, Guzman and Deja Bunch had four each; Bryn Langrock three; Lydia Peplinski and Julie Jansen two; and Rahsanna Graham and Janae Payne one.

Jansen added seven rebounds and three blocks, Payne and Whitefoot each grabbed five boards and Graham had three assists.

Shorecrest’s Uju Chibuogwu was the game’s only scorer in double figures with 15.

One of the bright spots for Oak Harbor, according to coach Jonathan Atkins, was holding the Scots’ high-scoring Wurrie Njadoe to nine points.

He also liked that his club shot better at the line and cut back on turnovers from its previous game. The Wildcats shot 47 percent from the free throw line and committed 20 turnovers. In the first game, Oak Harbor made only 20 percent of its foul shots and had 38 turnovers.

Oak Harbor (0-2) plays at Squalicum (1-2) at 7:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8.

(Jinai Guzman completes a pass in Friday’s loss to Shorecrest. Photo by Jim Waller.)