Skyline boys basketball score first post-season win against Hazen

On Thursday, Feb. 6, the Skyline Spartans boys basketball team defeated the Hazen Highlanders, 53-47, during a home playoff game.

While Hazen won the tipoff, it was Skyline who struck first, fueled by two early baskets from Graham Hohman. Hohman’s efficient scoring set the tone, while Harper McGillis added to the momentum by sinking a 3-pointer. Hazen managed to answer with a few field goals but struggled to find a consistent rhythm against the Spartan defense. Both teams, relying on defensive prowess to keep in the fight, made scoring opportunities hard to come by. At the end of the first quarter, Skyline held a slight 11-5 lead.

Gavin Simmons scored early in the second quarter for the Spartans, while Malik Gilbert responded with back-to-back 2-pointers for the Highlanders. McGillis knocked down another three immediately followed by a three from Owen Alderman for the home team. As the buzzer sounded for the halftime break, Skyline once again outscored the Highlanders to widen their lead to 21-9.

The third quarter opened with an early 3-pointer from Jackson Foster for Hazen. Alderman quickly responded with a three of his own, keeping Skyline in the fight. Both teams consistently traded 2-point baskets throughout the third quarter, occasionally making their way to the free-throw line. While the Highlanders outscored the Spartans in the third period, Skyline managed to hold the lead, 40-32, going into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth steady march to run down the clock. With the addition of a 3-point basket from Masen Yuen for Hazen, the Highlanders did outscore the Spartans, but it just was not enough to take the lead.

Skyline brought home the hard-fought victory, 53-47. Both teams will be playing for double elimination, meaning that they need two losses to be eliminated.

The Skyline Spartans will play Issaquah on Saturday, Feb.15 at Issaquah at 7 p.m.