Eastlake boys basketball loses in double overtime against Sammamish High
Following two straight wins against Cascade and Newport, the Eastlake Wolves boys basketball team narrowly fell short Friday against the Sammamish Redhawks in a tight 84-82 loss in overtime.
The Redhawks struck first from the layup of Rakin Showki, driving from his own half past the Eastlake defense. Sammamish utilized their tactic of quick passes around the three-point line, forcing space in between the Eastlake defense, and driving into the key. The Redhawks defense barely allowed breathing room for attackers, resulting in many blocked shots for Eastlake. The Sammamish attack was fierce, making two three-pointers through Fionn Stenson and Shuaib Anbesse, both coming from the drives of Showki. Eastlake finally showed some form as the shots of Rohan Kalra and Nathan D’Souza found the basket. The Wolves created more shot opportunities in the last minutes of the quarter, but were unable to finish most of them. The quarter ended 18-13 with Sammamish up.
Eastlake started the second quarter quickly as Myles Thompson scored three points. Sammamish found it more difficult driving into the paint, with the physicality of the Eastlake defense allowing fewer shots. While the Redhawks saw less chances, D’Souza took the lead for Eastlake through a layup. Sammamish did not sacrifice their clinical shots from behind the three-point line, though, regaining their lead after a combination play and Anbesse’s three-pointer. Although having their defense out of position at times, Eastlake was able to go into halftime leading 28-27.
The third quarter became a struggle for the lead, with Sammamish first scoring five points, but not without a quick response from Eastlake. The Redhawks’ quick start allowed them to be on the front foot for the first half of the quarter, with the Wolves chasing narrowly behind. Eastlake found a breakthrough with half of the quarter remaining, through Kalra’s three points and Owen Eason’s layup. Sammamish continued to find space in the Eastlake defense, drawing the defenders into one spot and shooting from outside the paint uncontested. The quarter ended 46-42, Eastlake.
The fourth quarter started in favor of Sammamish, with Showki’s free throws and layup tying the game. Eastlake proceeded to concede two more fouls, resulting in the Redhawks leading a four-point deficit. As soon as Eastlake was able to make up that deficit, Sammamish struck three more times, extending their lead to nine points. With 40 seconds left on the clock, after the Wolves were able to make up most of the deficit, Jarred Miguel Samson’s two free throws allowed Sammamish to have a three point advantage. The Redhawks did not keep that lead though, as Thompson’s layup and free throw tied up the game 63-63 with 30 seconds on the clock.
With four minutes added to the clock, D’Souza’s shot gave Eastlake the early lead. After the Redhawks equalized, Eastlake obtained the lead again through Payton Goldie’s free throw. The Wolves’ hopes were high as Gabriel Prock’s layup increased their lead to three, but Showki immediately responded, tightening the game with one minute on the clock. Prock scored another layup straight after, but the effort was canceled out by Samson’s three-pointer, ending the first overtime 70-70.
Both teams went into the second overtime with a strong desire to end the game in their favor. They scored twice each in the first two minutes and were unable to break the deadlock. Showki was able to score both of his free throws while Thompson scored one. Showki increased the lead to three points for Sammamish with 50 seconds on the clock, but Thompson sank a three-pointer right after to tie the game. Showki and Thompson both were awarded a set of free throws each, in which both scored perfectly. With six seconds on the clock, Showki’s powerful drive into the paint for a layup ended the game with an 84-82 Sammamish win over Eastlake.
Eastlake Boys Basketball will play the Inglemoor Vikings on Jan. 20 at 7:15 p.m. at Inglemoor High School.
