Skyline boys basketball slips against Renton
The Skyline Spartans boys basketball team lost a close match against the Renton Redhawks, 69-52, on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Although both teams were on top of their defensive game, the Redhawks’ ability to drive in the paint led them to gain the upper hand, leading to Skyline’s first season loss.
The first quarter had both teams testing each other, poking for defensive gaps. The Redhawks took initiative though, powering through the defense for quick layups and three foul calls. Starting to hustle this quarter, Sudan Luok threw up a dunk for Renton after a pass from a fierce fight for the ball rolling around. The Spartans went hard on defense, locking down any potential drives to the basket. They also made sure to put up baskets in the paint, and they were down only 18-11 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Skyline point guard Owen Alderman put up a deep three, beating the shot clock buzzer. Renton, unfazed, quickly fired back with two points from free throws due to a foul from an aggressive drive to the basket. Playing for big scores, Renton made three 3-pointers and added four layups to widen the gap. The Redhawks were determined to bury the Spartans, but Alderman responded on Skyline’s behalf with two baskets from behind the arc to keep it close at 35-29 in favor of Renton.
After a break and pep talks, the teams were back at it again. Skyline took a step back and decided to play their game outside the three-point line with Alderman hitting two of them. Renton struggled to curb Skyline’s momentum and was only able to put up four points compared to Skyline’s eight. Skyline caught up to within two points. This prompted Renton to start hustling on offense with a run of four baskets that put them more comfortably ahead 48-41 at the end of the third quarter.
The final quarter provided an opportunity for Skyline to recover. However, things took a turn as Renton really stepped on the gas, powering through the defense and raising the score through brute force and skillful work in the paint. Luok and Julius White-Kelly both took hard falls from leaping across the free throw line for five layups, putting up more points for Renton. White-Kelly also took a foul, successfully making both free throws. Nathaniel Omar Iii stepped up and made three clean layups tucking his shoulder and driving through Skyline’s defense. The Spartans tried to find momentum in the paint, but Alderman’s two 3-pointers and the team’s layups were not enough to make a comeback.
