An early game less than 24 hours after an emotional win over Lynden was not a great recipe for the Blaine girls' basketball team, but the Borderites managed to battle through to grab a 53-25 Northwest District victory over Friday Harbor on Saturday, Jan. 26.
"We came out a little slow," Blaine coach Ryan Pike said. "Coming off a big game last night and with the noon start - we haven't even eaten lunch yet. At halftime we talked about coming out and playing with more heart, and I thought we did a little better job of it in the second half."
Even with the sluggish half, Blaine (13-5) was able to jump out to a 15-6 first-quarter lead. They then shut out the Wolverines in the second to extend the lead to 27-6, and kept building from there.
Defense definitely played a role for the Borderites, as their half-court trap helped force 32 Friday Harbor turnovers.
Mandy Hayes was the only player to score in double figures for Blaine, as she recorded a game-high 19, while Alexis McElwain and Breanna Chau each scored eight.
The Borderites wrap up Northwest Conference play with games at Sedro-Woolley on Tuesday, Jan. 29, and Burlington-Edison on Friday, Feb. 1.
BLAINE 53, FRIDAY HARBOR 25
Friday Harbor 6 0 7 12 - 25
Blaine 15 12 15 11 - 53
Friday Harbor: Kendra Meeker 0, Emily Guard 4, Allie Galt 0, Alaina Scheffer 0, Jean Melborne 2, Tyla McKay 6, Tabatha Keane 13. Team totals: 11-29 3-6 25.
Blaine: Emily Roe 2, Gretchen Kordas 0, Breanna Chau 8, Olivia Olason 2, Alexis McElwain 8, Nicole Ortega 0, Mikayla Deming 3, Mandy Hayes 19, Rhiana Breedlove 5, Taylor V'Dovec 6. Team totals: 21-46 8-11 53.
3-ptg: FH 0-7, Blaine 3-7 (Chau 2). Rebounds: FH 28 (Keane 10), Blaine 22 (McElwaine 5, V'Dovec 5). Assists: FH 6 (Scheffer 2), Blaine 11 (Chau 3). Fouls: FH 9, Blaine 10 (Fouled out). Turnovers: FH 32, Blaine 15.
