Skyline Spartans girls’ basketball suffers fourth-quarter turnaround in loss to Issaquah 

Though the Skyline Spartans were in the lead for the first 3 quarters of the Dec. 7 game, an unanticipated turn-around gave the Issaquah Eagles a 49-41 win. 

As both teams struggled to establish their rhythm, neither the Spartans nor the Eagles could seem to find the bucket. The quarter closed with a dismal 5-5 tie, but it was anyone’s game. 

The second quarter tensions continued to mount until Spartan Kate Reinkensmeyer broke the ice with a surprise pass interception that led to a skillful layup and a much needed kickstart for the home team. While the Eagles responded immediately to Reinkensmeyer with two 2-point shots and successful freethrows, Addison McGillis sunk the ball from just beyond the 3-point line, followed by another two points from Reinkensmeyer. With both teams finally in double digits, the Spartans took the lead, 15-11, to close the first half. 

Keeping up the momentum in the third quarter, the Spartans continued to shoot well, opening the first 15 seconds of the half with a quick 3-pointer from McGillis, followed immediately by another for an early 10-point Spartan advantage. Another swish for two from Reinkensmeyer as well as buckets from Abigail Barquist and McGillis gave the Spartans the 35-30 lead they needed to feel confident going into the final quarter. 

As the buzzer started the final minutes of the game, the Spartan offense began to falter. Frustrations mounted resulting in fouls, penalty shots, and turnovers that found the battle tied and the Eagles in possession of the ball. With a 3-point throw, a quick layup, and a penalty shot all going for the Eagles, the Spartans fell behind and simply could not recover. Their once five-point lead turned around for a 49-41 deficit to finish the game with a heartbreaking loss for Skyline. 

Skyline will play Newport High School at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Newport.