Hot from the line, solid on the boards: Wildcats net 1st win | Boys basketball

Thanks in part to a good night at the foul line and strong rebounding, the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team won 58-55 at Marysville-Pilchuck Friday, Jan. 3, picking up its first win of the season.

By Jim Waller • January 6, 2014 11:43 am

Thanks in part to a good night at the foul line and strong rebounding, the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team won 58-55 at Marysville-Pilchuck Friday, Jan. 3, picking up its first win of the season.

In an oddity, only two Wildcats shot free throws in the win, but the pair, particularly Drew Washington, made the most of the opportunities.

Washington connected on 16 of 18 from the line on the way to scoring a game-high 28 points. Oak Harbor shot just two more free throws, both makes by Zach Gibbs, and finished 18-for-20, 90 percent.

The Tomahawks had six more chances than the Wildcats but made two fewer (16-for-26, 61.5 percent).

Oak Harbor also won the battle of the boards. Coach Mike Washington said his staff emphasized “finishing on the defensive end with rebounds,” and the message got through. Oak Harbor out-rebounding Marysville-Pilchuck 41-34, including 18-11 at the offensive end that led to a 17-7 edge in second-chance points.

As has been the case lately for Oak Harbor, the Wildcats got off to a good start, going ahead 16-10 in the first quarter. This time, however, Oak Harbor held on for the win.

The lead grew to 23-12 in the second period, then M-P started to work its way back in the game. From that point until the end of the third period, the Tomahawks outscored Oak Harbor 20-10 and trailed by only one, 33-32, going into the final quarter.

The Wildcats entered the game 0-8; five of those losses came by a combined total of 30 points.
Coach Washington said his team was playing well lately and told his club as it took the court Friday that “we’re winning tonight.”

“Great team win,” he said. “We fought through adversity and got the ‘W.'”

Dyllan Harris scored 16 points, hitting four three-pointers, and collected nine rebounds. Gibbs finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Gabe Groenig picked up four points and seven boards; Zach Jones had four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Drew Washington added six rebounds, three assists and two steals to his 28 points. He has scored more than 20 points in five consecutive games.

Oak Harbor (1-2, 1-8) hosts Marysville Getchell (0-3, 1-9) at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7.