Eastlake girls dominate Kentwood to open state basketball playoffs
The Eastlake Lady Wolves took care of business and reminded everyone that they are the reigning state champions on Saturday, routing the Kentwood Conquerors 55-36 to start their 2024 state playoff campaign.
Despite the Wolves’ tipoff possession to open the game, Kentwood’s Nikola Boris put up the ball for the first 3-point bucket of the night. But the Wolves were undaunted by the Conquerors opening success and responded with a series of 2-point baskets from Tatum Wood. As the Conquerors worked to stay in the game, frustrations mounted, resulting in multiple fouls that gave the Lady Wolves the early lead. Eastlake’s Denise Gainer put the exclamation point on the first quarter with 3-pointer to end on a 17-10 Lady Wolves’ advantage.
During the brief intermission between quarters, the Conquerors adjusted their game plan. While they fought aggressively and managed to keep pace in the second quarter, they simply could not close the deficit. Eastlake held the lead 23-17 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Lady Wolves surged with a string of 2-point baskets from Krista Kostoff and Darcy McCoy for a comfortable 35-20 advantage. The Conquerors’ frustration once again resulted in a series of fouls and more opportunities for the Lady Wolves at the free throw line. Eastlake blew the game open even wider at 44-20.
Eastlake’s Addison Baumgartner opened the final quarter with a 3-pointer, and drew a foul for a 4-point play. While Tyanna Sims and Jessica Ajayi continued the valiant effort for the Conquerors, in the end, the deficit proved insurmountable. With additional baskets from Brooke McCartney for Eastlake in the final minutes, the Lady Wolves coasted to a 55-36 victory.
The Eastlake Lady Wolves will next face the Davis Pirates on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at the Tacoma Dome, starting at 12:15 p.m.
