Skyline girls fall 61-48 to Sammamish in their last game
The Skyline girls basketball team lost, 61-48, to the Sammamish Redhawks at home on Saturday, Jan. 31, in the final game of the regular season. This was only Skyline’s second conference loss, allowing the Spartans to end the season in second in the Mountain standings.
Skyline took the lead one minute into the first quarter with a Kate Reinkensmeyer free throw, but that lead was quickly canceled by Sophia Eastman’s pair on the other side of the court. Castellina Miller dropped a three-pointer from deep right court, allowing Skyline to lead again, 6-2. Skyline’s defense put pressure on Sammamish, forcing multiple turnovers while the Redhawks attempted to build from the back. Although awarded many free throws, the Spartans failed to convert the majority in the first half of the quarter. Sammamish’s offense frequently managed to force space in front of the basket, giving the Redhawks room to drive to the net for easy layups.
Things suddenly took a turn and the Redhawks took the lead with 30 seconds left in the quarter as Eastman scored a three-pointer from deep left court when she unexpectedly found space when the Spartan defense overcommitted to the right. The quarter ended 14-13, Sammamish.
The Redhawks’ offense proved effective as they increased the divide to five points with two consecutive drives early in the second quarter. Sammamish’s pressure on the Skyline wings forced turnovers when they were unable to find passing options. The Redhawks took advantage of their physicality, forcing unnecessary fouls from the Spartans. With added pressure, Sammamish also forced passing mistakes both around the key and in the middle of the court, resulting in a series of quick counters. The Redhawks dominated the quarter, ending with a Sammamish lead, 31-17.
In the third quarter, Skyline found hope and drive after Chloe Hatch’s pair of three-pointers, but were still unable to keep their opponents from finding the net as well. Many of the Spartan attacks failed because of inaccurate passing in and around the paint, resulting in Sammamish counter-attacks and a greater divide.
After a period of relative inactivity, Skyline’s Jane Simon and Miller caught a second wind for the Spartans, and managed to reduce the deficit to just six between the two of them. With 30 seconds left in the quarter, Reinkensmeyer’s five points enabled the team to carry momentum for the final push in the last quarter. Despite more than doubling their score with an added 19 points, the Spartans continued to lag behind and the third quarter ended, 41-36, Sammamish.
In the fourth quarter, the Redhawks continued to play aggressively and started strong, converting four Eastman free-throws. Despite the Spartans scoring often, Sammamish continued to be on the front foot right down to the final buzzer. With pressure on the Skyline net, the Spartans had difficulty finding space to shoot. Rebounds were also a problem for the home team, unable to recover possession in the key. The game ended 61-48 with a Skyline loss.
“I definitely think our offensive game and our passing needs to improve, and honestly just us being on the same page. Like a lot of times, we’re kind of all over the place.We need to be on the same page,” Skyline Junior Kate Reinkensmeyer said, commenting on potential weak areas going into the playoffs.
Despite the loss, Skyline head coach Taheem Jones said that the season was great, and is heading into the playoffs positively. “I feel good about what we did this year. The girls worked hard and deserved the record that they have in the league. I would say I feel great. This year was one of the strongest years that we’ve shown when it came to a division record.”
The Skyline Spartans will face the Mt. Si Wildcats on Thursday, February 5 at 7 p.m. at Mt. Si High School for their first post-season game of the year.
