Single-basket loss to Seattle Prep ends Eastside Catholic state title bid
With high hopes of defending their title, the Eastside Catholic Crusaders girls basketball team fell to the Seattle Prep Panthers on Wednesday, March 5, bringing their season to a heartbreaking end.
While the Crusaders scored first with a 2-point bucket from Sophie Lugolobi, the back-and-forth tone was set when Marie Hauck answered immediately with a 3-point shot for Seattle Prep. A 3-pointer from Tavia Carter late in the period tied the score at 9-9, keeping Eastside Catholic (EC) in the fight. The Crusaders managed to hold the Panthers for a narrow one-point lead, 12-11, to end the first quarter.
The second quarter saw both teams exchange the lead multiple times. Amy Nduka for EC kept it close with consecutive baskets but the Crusaders fell behind due to fouls and free throws. Kylin Kinchen and Elise Lydon widened the gap from the charity stripe to 22-16, Panthers. Lugolobi managed to narrow the divide with a late bucket, but EC trailed, 24-20, at the half.
The third quarter was slow to start, with both teams struggling to find a rhythm. After nearly three minutes of play, Nduka dropped one in for the Crusaders to bring the score to 24-22. Motivated to maintain their lead, the Panthers responded with a 3-pointer from Ej Ovena as well as baskets from Grace Renners and Lydon. Olivia Wollum and Nduka led a late push to rally EC as the clock ticked down, but the Crusaders could not grab the lead, ending the quarter behind, 32-29.
The fourth period was an exercise in frustration for EC. Nduka opened with a quick 2-pointer, closing the gap to 32-31. Seattle Prep responded immediately with baskets from Kinchen and Elsa Castro, establishing an even larger divide, 36-31. Lugolobi dropped a 2-point bucket for the Crusaders, only to have her addition negated when Ovena sunk a 3-pointer for the Panthers.
While EC outscored Seattle Prep in the final quarter, 17-16, the Crusaders could not reverse the lead, narrowly losing their bid for the state title in a hard-fought but disappointing 48-46 loss.
The Eastside Catholic girls basketball team finished the 2024-25 season with a 16-12 overall record and an 8-9 district record, placing 10th in the 3A Metro District standings.
