Boys hoops: Eastlake loses first playoff game to Issaquah
The Eastlake Wolves lost 82-52 against the Issaquah Eagles on Wednesday. This loss pushes the Wolves to the double elimination bracket, with a final chance to continue their season or go home.
The game started off rocky for the Wolves as they struggled to find their groove and adjust to the Eagles’ aggressive pace. Issaquah took advantage and scored multiple layups off fast breaks. However, the Wolves remained competitive. Rohan Kalra hit a quick three-pointer to bring Eastlake within two points at 8-6. Issaquah tried to widen the gap with Alex Kirkpatrick and MacCoy Pond utilizing a quick “pass-to-layup” strategy to stretch the lead to 14-8. Eastlake attempted to close the gap with two free throws from Kalra following a foul, but the Eagles maintained their momentum. Walter Pond added a three-pointer, helping Issaquah close the first quarter with a 21-12 lead.
The Wolves found a brief spark in the second quarter, initially shutting down Issaquah’s scoring, but Issaquah slowly pulled away. Eastlake’s Jackson Boulter converted two layups and the resulting free throws, and combined with Kalra’s floaters, gave Eastlake a 24-21 lead. The Eagles responded by shifting their focus to the perimeter. Walter Pond hit two consecutive three-pointers to reclaim a 30-24 lead. Walter Pond continued his hot streak with a free throw and another long-range shot before Cade Sunderland wrapped up the half with three layups to put Issaquah ahead 40-32.
Eastlake opened the second half strong but failed to close the gap. The third quarter became a back-and-forth battle as Kalra and Nathan D’Souza hit deep three-pointers to keep the Wolves within five. Sensing the shift, Issaquah increased its offensive intensity. The Pond brothers utilized their height to dominate the boards, scoring on several put backs. Following a three-pointer from third brother Grady Pond, they helped Issaquah establish a 57-43 lead by the end of the quarter.
The Wolves continued to struggle, and the Eagles pulled away at the end of the fourth quarter. Issaquah’s Kirkpatrick knocked down three mid-range jumpers, and MacCoy Pond energized the crowd with a dunk following a steal. D’Souza answered immediately with a three-pointer for Eastlake, sparking a series of layups that brought the score to 68-50. However, the Wolves’ scoring came to a halt at 52 points. The Eagles tightened their defense while staying hot from beyond the arc. Adam Desouky hit two 3-pointers and Ian Nakayama added another, contributing to a late-game barrage. Eastlake struggled to find gaps in the Eagles’ defense as Issaquah center Murray Brightbill controlled the paint, using his size to grab rebounds and create scoring lanes to finish the game at 82-52 in favor of Issaquah.
While Eastlake fought to stay in the top half of the playoff bracket, Issaquah’s dominance in size and scoring ultimately pushed the Wolves’ to the double elimination bracket.
The Eastlake boys squad will play Bothell on Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at Bothell High School.
