Skyline boys basketball loses to Woodinville in fourth quarter rout
The Skyline Spartans boys basketball team opened their postseason play Friday with a tough 57-49 loss to the Woodinville Falcons, after losing their lead in the fourth quarter of the game.
The Woodinville Falcons seemed quite confident as they opened the game with a pair of 2-pointers from Drew Flinn for a quick jumpstart to take the lead. However, the Spartans soon began to break down the Falcon defense as Caden Culver quickly put several 2-pointers of his own on the board, snatching the lead. With a 3-pointer from each team to end the first quarter, the Spartans had a comfortable 17-8 lead.
The second quarter commenced with a dramatic arcing 3-pointer from Falcon Liam Kelly. Rattled, the Spartans played aggressively, resulting in two fouls that brought the Falcons to the line. As both teams played outstanding defense, the half came to a close with a surprisingly low score, with the Spartans maintaining a 25-17 edge.
Both teams returned energized from the halftime break with possession swapping after each basket as 2-pointers were added to the board in rapid succession. But the Spartans seemed to quickly lose their momentum. As the Falcon defense picked up, the Spartans’ weakened. Attempting to prevent Woodinville from bridging the gap, Skyline resorted to aggressive tactics that resulted in several foul calls, further loss of momentum, and a closing of their lead. In a turn of pace, the quarter ended with the Falcons hot on the Spartans’ heels, 37-33.
The Falcons, as anticipated, came back even strong in the final quarter, outscoring the Spartans with 3-pointers from Jaiden Blackmon and Kelly. Their impenetrable defense prevented a Spartan field goal for more than half the quarter.
As time ran out, the Spartans were able to answer some of the Falcons’ shots, but they were unable to reverse the momentum and the lead. With a final 2-point bucket from the Falcon’s Blackmon just before the buzzer, Woodinville sealed the 57-49 victory.
The Skyline Spartans will face off against the Jackson Timber Wolves at Skyline on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7:00 p.m. in postseason play.
