The Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team got close twice in a holiday tournament at Bellevue College last weekend but is still looking for its first win.

The Wildcats lost 68-58 to Inglemoor Friday, Dec. 27, and 69-65 to Meadowdale Saturday, Feb. 28.
Oak Harbor (0-7) closes out the tournament with Renton (2-4) Monday, Dec. 30.

The Wildcats started strong against Inglemoor, using a full court press to zip to an 18-12 first-quarter lead. The bulge was 22-12, then the Vikings closed out the quarter on a 12-2 run to knot the game at the break.

Fatigue and lack of depth was a factor in the game, Oak Harbor coach Mike Washington said. Each time he subbed to give the starters rest, Inglemoor surged.

Washington added he played some junior varsity players to try to develop some depth. He said those players “did fine.”

Oak Harbor went up by four in the third quarter, but the Vikings responded to go ahead 45-41 heading into the final period.

Inglemoor (4-3) steadily pulled away from there. Oak Harbor played mostly zone to counter Inglemoor’s height. The Vikings feature four players 6-7 or taller; Oak Harbor’s tallest starter is 6-3. The Inglemoor, however, shot over the zone, getting hot from long range to build the lead.

The Vikings’ Colin Portugal hit five of seven three-point shots and finished with 21 points. Trey Miller added 19 points and nine rebounds.

Drew Washington and Dyllan Harris each nailed five threes for Oak Harbor; Washington piled up 27 points and Harris 18.

No other ‘Cat scored more than the four of Sean Erskine and Zach Gibbs. Gabe Groenig and DiAngelo McKinney had two each, and Elijah Smith one. Washington also had five assists, and Groenig collected seven rebounds.

Inglemoor shot 45 percent; Oak Harbor 38. Oak Harbor out-rebounded the taller Vikings 38-32, and both teams had eight turnovers.

Inglemoor (14-for-22) outscored Oak Harbor (4-for-8) 14-4 at the line.

Coach Washington said, “I feel things will turn around here soon. The kids don’t quit and have great attitudes.”

Wesco foe Meadowdale built a 12-point lead in the third quarter, then Oak Harbor charged back to get into the game.

The Mavericks led 23-21 after a high-scoring first quarter and 41-33 at the half.
Meadowdale upped is lead to 47-35, then the Wildcats sliced the gap to 51-49 by the end of the third period with a 14-4 run.

Oak Harbor eventually took the lead in the fourth, but Meadowdale, with strong offensive rebounding at the end, recovered to nip the Wildcats.

Drew Washington put together another strong game with 29 points (including six threes), seven rebounds and three assists. Gibbs added plenty of support with a double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds). Harris finished with 11 points, Smith three, Groenig two and Jake Sturdevant two.

Meadowdale committed only eight turnovers to Oak Harbor’s 15, and outscored the Wildcats 13-5 off the miscues.

After Monday’s Renton game, Oak Harbor goes to Marysville-Pilchuck (1-0, 4-3) for a conference game at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3.