Skyline boys basketball loses to Woodinville
The Skyline boys basketball team has lost twice in a row as the end of the season approaches, dropping another game to the Woodinville Falcons in a 59-43 rout Friday night. Woodinville’s pressure high up the court ultimately limited Skyline’s chances on offense.
Woodinville took the first points of the game as Drake Spooner finished a three-point shot from deep. The Falcons maintained pressure, but Harper McGillis found room to get on the scoreboard, allowing the Spartans to keep the game tight. Skyline proceeded to find some form, taking the lead through layups by Leo Houpis and Gavin Simmons. The Spartans’ attack was intricate, taking their time around the paint before ultimately finding the space to drive. In contrast, the Falcons preferred a fast-paced game, quickly counter-attacking and finding the Spartan defense unorganized, thereby gaining opportunities for open shots at the basket. Woodinville’s pressure on the Spartans out of possession was intense, leading to multiple turnovers in the Falcons’ favor. Although having many chances to shoot, Skyline was ultimately unable to convert many of them due to Woodinville’s exceptional speed of play. The quarter ended 16-14, Woodinville.
The Falcons maintained the press in the second quarter, significantly interfering with the Spartans’ ability to shoot. They started very quickly in the quarter, going up six points in one minute through Drake Penberthy’s early free throw and Spooner’s three-pointer. The Spartans were able to play through the press better as the quarter progressed, with Simmons scoring four points, increasing his point total to six. The game entered a relative stalemate in the latter half of the quarter, with neither team being able to find the net often. Only 14 points were scored in the quarter, which ended 24-20 in Woodinville’s favor.
Returning from the break, the Falcons got the first points as Luke Unruh and Elijah Price finished their layups in quick succession. Woodinville continued their rampage, with Spooner scoring six more points before the Spartans had a chance to respond. Skyline finally grabbed their first points of the quarter after a layup by Jaiden Walcolm three minutes after the break. The Spartans found it difficult to drive into the key, and were limited to quick passes around the three-point line. With a minute left in the quarter, Rowan Kelly increased the Falcons’ lead to 14 points, before the Spartans responded with four points through a layup and a set of free throws. The quarter ended 39-29, Woodinville.
Woodinville continued their domination in the fourth quarter, as Kelly sank a three-pointer, but the team changed to a more conservative tactic, passing around the paint and draining the game clock. Skyline showed more fight, as they were able to score nine points through Simmons and Owen Alderman. With only a minute left in the game, the Falcons increased their lead to 16 points through Luke Flinn’s layup. In the last seconds of the game, McGillis managed to score a consolation three-pointer, as the game ended with Woodinville winning 59-43.
Skyline will play an away game at Hazen High School on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 7:15 p.m. for their penultimate game of the season.
