Skyline wins rivalry match against Eastlake, 61-55
At home on Saturday, Jan. 10, following two straight losses to Bellevue and Liberty earlier that week, the Skyline Spartans boys basketball team returned to winning ways with a tight 61-55 non-conference win against rivals Eastlake Wolves. Although both teams showed desire to win the game in all stages, Skyline nicked the win thanks to their fast and uncontested start to the game.
Skyline junior Gavin Simmons said the win felt great.
“It was tough, I mean you never go into a game easy,” he said.
In the first quarter, Skyline took early points without effective response from Eastlake, sinking two three-pointers by Harper McGillis and Owen Alderman. Eastlake passed around the defense and drove into the paint, creating good chances to respond; however, the execution was short of the mark.
The Wolves were finally able to break their blank scoresheet with a layup from Rohan Kalra. Eastlake found some form after that, scoring three times in the key in the following two minutes. But the Spartans did not let that stop them, racking up points through free throws in the later stages of the quarter. Skyline went into the pause with the lead, 16-9.
Skyline started off quickly in the second quarter with a layup by Alderman, and then opted to take their time on offense, passing the ball around the arc. This was in contrast to the Wolves’ strategy, who preferred to go directly for the basket, which was bested by Spartan defenders.
The latter part of the quarter was filled with quick transitions from offense and defense, with points scored from almost every attack, making up for the lack of action previously. At one point, Eastlake turned the game around and led by one, thanks to a long range shot from Kalra, before the Spartans, determined to keep their lead, quickly took the game back. Intending on keeping the deficit small, Eastlake then conceded two fouls and watched as McGillis converted all four free throws. The quarter ended 31-26, Skyline.
After the break, the Spartans approached the basket directly, often passing straight into the paint. Their lead grew with layups and free throws from McGillis and Simmons.
Eastlake was able to recover their deficit, but Eastlake head coach Nick Crossan conceded a technical foul after lively action on the sideline, allowing the Spartans to regain their lead. The last minute of the third quarter was packed with free throws–two sets for each team–which added one point to the board for Eastlake, and three for Skyline. The quarter ended with Skyline up, 46-37.
In the final quarter, as Eastlake looked for ways to recover, Skyline rounded up the game once and for all. Both teams showed impressive energy at the end, with multiple free throws for the Spartans and swift responses from the Wolves. With two minutes on the clock, Eastlake’s Noah Trikur even gave the Wolves one last spark of hope, but that hope was lost when Skyline’s Leo Houpis netted the ball from right court, securing the Spartans’ 61-55 win.
Both teams play next on Friday, Jan. 16. Skyline faces Bothell/Inglemoor at Bothell at 8 p.m. Eastlake plays Sammamish at home at 8:30 p.m.
