Rarely does a team that dominates the offensive boards lose, but that’s what happened to the Oak Harbor boys basketball team at Everett Friday, Dec. 17.

The Wildcats fell 56-48 despite snagging an eye-popping 24 offensive rebounds, 18 more than Everett. Those O-boards resulted in Oak Harbor getting 17 more shots than the Seagulls, but the extra chances went for naught as the Wildcats shot a miserable 22.7 percent from the field.

Oak Harbor committed 14 of its 17 turnovers in the first half, but, for the most part, weathered the storm and was down by just four 22-18. A third quarter spurt helped Oak Harbor take a 35-34 lead into the fourth quarter.

While Oak Harbor was shooting blanks in the final period, Everett heated up and pulled away for the win.

The Wildcats’ big three, guards Mike Washington Jr. (6-for-25), Jay Stout (3-for-16) and Denzel Massey (2-for-13), combined to sink just 11 of 54 shots (20.4 percent) and only 1-of-15 (6.7 percent) from three-point range.

Oak Harbor also shot an underwhelming 56.7 percent (17-for-30) from the free throw line.

Everett (1-2, 2-4) wasn’t particularly hot, finishing with 38.8 percent (19-for-49), but out shot Oak Harbor 40 percent to 20 percent in the second half. The Seagulls also struggled at the line, going 14-for-23 (60.9 percent).

Coach Mike Washington Sr. said, “We had that deer-in-the-headlights look the first half.”

He added, “We have got to get mentally tougher.”

“We played well in the second half,” Washington said, “but we just couldn’t get it in the basket.”

Washington Jr. finished with 16 points, Massey 10 and Stout seven. Stevie Bratt added eight, Kevawn Brooks five, and Trace Paul two.

Bratt, Stout and Massey all grabbed seven rebounds, and Washington and Paul had six (five on offense). Bratt collected five steals.

Oak Harbor (0-3, 1-5) entertains Mountlake Terrace (3-1, 4-2) Tuesday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m.