News

Mar 5, 2010
by Jay Williamson

The Vashon Pirates faced a familiar foe in its semifinal match Friday night, Cascade Christian. It was the fourth time the two teams faced off against each other this year and for the third time the Cougars prevailed. The final score was 48-57 and as a result Cascade Christian plays against Meridian Saturday night for the state championship. Vashon faces another well-known opponent, King's, for third place earlier in the afternoon.

The first quarter was a close contest. Alex Wegner scored the Pirates' first five points including a three-pointer. John Gage contributed four points and Elias Weston had a key steal. But the Cougars hit several three-pointers of their own. It took a nice pull-up jumper from Weston to give Vashon the lead at the end of the quarter, 11-10.

The lead did not last long as Cascade Christian hit several three-pointers to quickly forge ahead 19-13. Quinn Holert kept the Pirates' hope alive with a three-pointer and another basket but the Cougars always had an answer with baskets and three-pointers of their own. Gage picked up his second foul late in the quarter and Corey Williamson came in to make sure he did not pick up another before the half ended. Weston hit a nice shot after driving into the lane to cut the Cascade Christian lead to 24-21 at the half.

Cascade Christian came out forcefully stealing an inbounds pass for a layup and hitting another three-pointer. The quarter was nearly half over before Vashon scored its first points on a Gage put-back on an offensive rebound. By then the Cougars had built a nine point lead. The Pirates fought back on a basket after a nice drive by Weston and a three-point play by Gage. As the quarter ended Gage put in his own miss and was fouled putting Vashon back to within five with Cascade Christian leading 36-31.

Cascade Christian started the fourth quarter with yet another three-point basket but an Amick basket off a nice assist from Wegner and a baseline jumper by Gage pulled the Pirates to within 3. Then with over four minutes to go in the quarter, Gage picked up his fourth foul and had to go to the bench with Amick taking over at center for about a minute. Even though Wegner also picked up his fourth foul with four minutes to go, the Pirates kept coming and a Holert drive into the lane and basket pulled Vashon to within one, 40-39. Cascade Christian scored the next four points but Gage countered with a long jumper. But the Cougars hit another three-pointer and several other baskets while Vashon could not find the mark. Time ran out on the Pirates and their quest to repeat as state champions was ended.

While the team must be disappointed, they have had a wonderful season and have nothing to hang their heads over. They have another big game Saturday with third place in the state on the line. Hopefully they will quickly recover from this loss and end this memorable year on a winning note.

Pirate points vs. Cascade Christian:
Gage 21, Weston 8, Holert 7, Wegner 7, Amick 3, Kerns 2, Lofland, Stoffer, Williamson.