News

Mar 6, 2010
by Jay Williamson

The Vashon faithful in the SunDome Saturday afternoon awaiting the third/sixth place game between Vashon and King's seemed a bit reserved after the Pirate's semifinal loss to eventual state champion Cascade Christian the previous evening. If those in attendance were wondering how the team would respond to the loss, the Pirates quickly showed they had nothing to worry about. Vashon thoroughly controlled the contest after a close first quarter to convincingly beat King's 65 to 46.

The first quarter of the game was consistent with the two previous close contests between the teams this season and ended with Vashon leading 13 to 10. Elias Weston started the scoring with two free throws after being fouled driving to the hoop. King's repeatedly fouled John Gage trying to slow him down including once after he got the ball close to the basket after a nice entry pass from Christian Hasson. But the keys to the quarter were back-to-back three-point baskets by Matt Kerns.

The second quarter began on a sour note for the Pirates with Gage picking up his second foul very early. He ended up sitting the quarter on the bench. The rest of the Pirates picked up the slack and, rather than faltering, extended their lead to 24-18 at halftime. After a Kerns jumper got the Pirates the lead back at 15-14, Quinn Holert hit a jumper and made a sweet touch pass from the three-point line to Matt Amick under the basket for an easy two. Alex Wegner ended the half with two baskets, one coming as the 35 second clock was expiring.

When the buzzer sounded to start the second half, the King's team was still in their locker room. As it turns out they had good reason to want to stay there as Vashon dominated them the entire quarter. Weston hit a shot off of a Wegner assist, Kerns made a three-pointer off a Gage assist and Gage made up for lost time blocking several shots and scoring seven points including a three-point basket. When Weston stole an inbounds pass from King's and took it the length of the court for a lay-up, the Pirates were up by 10 and never looked back. King's frustration showed when their coach was whistled for a technical foul. The only thing that did not work out for Vashon in the quarter was when Kerns' three-quarter length shot was disallowed as having been shot after the buzzer sounded. Tyler Stoffer played solid ball throughout both second and third quarter runs. Vashon scored 20 points in the quarter and led 44 to 29.

The fourth quarter started where the third left off with Weston stealing another inbounds pass for a lay-up by Kerns. Holert found Kerns open under the basket for a lay-up and foul. Halfway through the quarter, Vashon led 61-41 and it was time for the bench to come in and allow the Pirate fans to cheer the starters who played inspired ball all season long. Hamzah Griffin, Christian Hasson, Dan Lofland, Jesse Hazzard and Corey Williamson finished the season playing well. As the Green Tide once again chanted “Thank you seniors,” the game ended and the Pirates went to midcourt to claim their third place trophy. It was a fitting end and just reward to a team that played its heart out every game of the year and showed what can be achieved by hard work and commitment as a team to a common goal.

Pirate scoring vs. King’s:
Kerns 16, Wegner 15, Gage 14, Weston 8, Holert 7, Amick 3, Lofland 2, Hasson, Hazzard, Stoffer, Williamson