Skyline suffers hard-fought loss against Issaquah
In an intense game on Friday, Jan. 17, the Skyline boys basketball team lost, 56-47, to the Issaquah Eagles.
Despite losing the tip-off to the Spartans, the Eagles quickly gained possession and scored back-to-back 2-point baskets to open the first minutes of the game. An immediate response with a 3-pointer from Harper McGillis for Skyline seemed to say both teams were ready to do battle. However, consistent buckets from Issaquah 6’6” junior Mac Pond and an impenetrable defense kept the ball in the hands of the visitors for a surprising 17-3 Eagles advantage at the close of the first quarter.
While the second quarter was better for the Spartans, adding 11 points to their total, they could not overcome the consistent play of the Eagles as Rowan Miller opened immediately with a 3-pointer. The half ended with a double-digit deficit for Skyline despite their valiant efforts, including a pair of back-to-back 3-pointers. Behind 28-14, the Spartans needed to create a new strategy during the halftime break.
With renewed energy and a new plan, the Spartans returned to give the Eagles a different fight. Closing the gap with several points from Graham Hohman, Skyline had their best quarter with 18 added to the board as they held Issaquah to a 9-point gain. Going into the final quarter, it was anyone’s game, at 37-32, Eagles, as long as the Spartans could maintain their momentum.
As both teams battled for the win, McGillis stunned the crowd, sinking three after three for the Spartans. Tensions were sky-high as Hohman scored one final 3-pointer, bringing the crowd to their feet, as the Spartans bridged the gap with only a three-point deficit, 50-47. But, consistent 2-point play from Pond, coupled with an unrelenting defense from Issaquah, prevented Skyline from erasing the deficit. In the end, the Spartans lost in a hard-fought battle, 56-47.
When asked about the game, Hohman was feeling optimistic about the rest of the season, despite the night’s loss.
“Even though it ended in a loss, I would say it was our best game all season. It finally feels like our offense is clicking. I’m very excited for the rest of our season.”
The Skyline Spartans will play the North Creek Jaguars at home at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
