Oak Harbor had no answer for Shorewood’s size as the Thunderbirds defeated the visiting Wildcat boys basketball team 61-44 Thursday, Dec. 15.

Shorewood featured three players taller than Oak Harbor’s biggest at 6-3, and the largest, 6-9 Josh Hawkinson, dominated the game.

Hawkinson finished with 24 points (on 11-for-16 shooting) and snared 15 rebounds. Semir Kadiric, a 6-4 post, added 11 points and 13 rebounds.

The Thunderbirds took control early, racing to a 21-6 first-quarter lead. Shorewood outscored Oak Harbor by only two points the rest of the way, but the damage was done.

Shorewood led 37-17 at the half and 51-32 after three quarters.

Coach Mike Washington Sr. said, “The kids played well but just could not match their size or strength. I really think they are the second best team in our conference behind Mountlake Terrace. They do not have many weaknesses.”

He added that Shorewood caused “a lot of problems with their length.”

The T-birds out rebounded Oak Harbor 44-29 and disrupted shooters. The Wildcats shot just 35.4 percent (17-for-48), including a dismal 17.9 percent (5-for-28) from beyond the arc. Oak Harbor also struggled at the line, sinking only five of 12.

Coach Washington said Mike Washington Jr. and Matt Burgoyne played well. Washington Jr. scored 21 points, while Burgoyne hit all three of his shots for six points and grabbed four rebounds.

Jamacio Webster had six points, four rebounds and three steals; Drew Washington had five points and four rebounds; and Kevawn Brooks had one point, four rebounds and three blocks.

Chris Hailer added three points and Elias Whitefoot two.

Oak Harbor (1-2, 1-3) entertains Everett (0-3, 0-5) Friday, Dec. 16, at 7:15 p.m.