The Mountlake Terrace High School girls basketball team received an early Christmas gift from Oak Harbor in the Hawks’ 48-31 win on the Wildcats’ floor Thursday, Dec. 22.

The present came in the form of turnovers which the Hawks (2-5, 2-6) turned into points. All but one Mountlake Terrace basket in the first half was a direct result of an Oak Harbor turnover (five led to breakaway lay-ins), and the Hawks led 11-9 and 31-14 after the first two quarters.

The Wildcats committed 24 first half mistakes and 39 for the game.

The difference in the game was the second quarter where Terrace outscored the Wildcats 20-5. Both teams scored 17 points in the second half.

Coach Trisha Clayville said, “We played three decent quarters with the players we had. These kids played hard.”

Oak Harbor was missing two starters, posts Ciera Wiser (vacation) and Dominique Jackson (injury), and top reserve Marissa Lewis (concussion).

Annie Leete and Kelsey Rankin scored 10 each for the Wildcats. Rayan Russell added seven, and Morgan Young and Natalie Fiallos had two each.

Oak Harbor hosts its annual Santa Slam Tournament next week. The Wildcats (0-6, 1-7) play winless Pullman (0-5) Thursday, Dec. 29, at 4 p.m., then face Idaho’s No. 1 team, Lewiston (6-1), Friday at noon. Bear Creek (4-3) rounds out the field.