Mike Washington Jr.’s bucket with six seconds left helped the Oak Harbor High School boys basketball team eke out an important 43-42 win over host Meadowdale Thursday, Jan. 26.

The victory solidified Oak Harbor’s hold on a playoff spot. The Wildcats are 6-6 (6-10 overall) and in fifth place in Wesco 3A, two games up on sixth-place Meadowdale (4-8, 6-11) and three up on Everett (3-10, 3-12). The top six earn district berths.

Washington’s hoop helped salvage the win after Meadowdale overcame a 10-point deficit.

The Mavs led 10-9 after the first period, then the tough Wildcat defense limited Meadowdale to five second-quarter points and Oak Harbor was up 21-15 at the half.

The ‘Cats scored the first four points of the second half for a 10-point cushion, then Meadowdale, behind a handful of three-balls, crawled back into the game.

The Mavericks held a one-point lead with 18 seconds left when Oak Harbor had its final possession. Washington posted up and scored the game winner, then the ‘Cats held on as the Mavs missed two shots.

The Oak Harbor defense forced Meadowdale into a poor shooting night (30.8 percent, 16-for-52). Meanwhile Oak Harbor shot 58.6 percent from two-point range (17-for-29) but struggled from outside (1-for-11, 9 percent).

Coach Mike Washington Sr. liked the play of his defense, particularly the effort of 6-3 Matt Burgoyne who limited 6-6 Brian Feldhaus to two points.

Washington Jr. scored 18 points and is now five points shy of a new school career scoring record.

Kevawn Brooks contributed eight points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

JoJo Webster scored nine points, Burgoyne four, Dayne Herron two and Drew Washington, back from an injury, two.

Both teams had only 12 turnovers and 10 fouls.

Oak Harbor plays undefeated and third-ranked Mountlake Terrace (11-0, 15-0) Friday at home at 7:15 p.m. and second-place Shorewood (9-2, 11-3) at home Saturday at 5.