Sports
Kelso knocks Tides out of district title contention
The Gig Harbor girls basketball team lost its chance for a District 3/4 title Wednesday night, dropping a seesaw matchup against Kelso, 76-68, at Auburn High School. The loss knocked the Tides (15-4) into a game on Saturday for third or fourth place against the sixth-ranked Lincoln Abes, who are 16-2 and lightning quick.
Wednesday’s game had a Jekyll and Hyde feel. The Hilanders started on fire, getting some big threes in transition as Gig Harbor came out flat and lost players on defense to fall behind 20-9 after the first quarter. Kelso displayed excellent ball movement, flying upcourt and attacking the rim. When the Tides tried to stop the ball, they left open perimeter shooters who were knocking down shots. Being down by 11 might have left them shellshocked, but not beaten.
Taylor Schwab goes for two of her 24 points. Photo courtesy of Maria Dorsten
Gig Harbor opened the second quarter like a new team as Coach Mike Guinasso described the Tides as “playing one of their best quarters of the season.” Guards Taylor Schwab and Baylee Young began getting into the paint, drawing the defense and dropping off pretty passes for layups. Those drives and great rebounding allowed the Tides to claw back to within one point at intermission, 32-31.
Jeckel returned in the third quarter as Gig Harbor gave back all that it had worked for. The Hilanders seized momentum, kept getting open for threes and went up by 14 at the end of the third. Kelso was getting steady play from 5-foot-11 post and Division 1 prospect Natalie Fraley, who averages more than 20 points per game and scored 19 on this night. The Tides went to sophomore sensation Taylor Schwab, who was able to get to the rack, hit some deep shots and scored 24 points to lead all players.
“She’s got a real laid back attitude in high-pressure situations,” Guinasso said. “She’s kind of like, ‘I’m just gonna go out and play and see what happens.’ That allows our other girls to relax too, which is great for us.”
Out came Mr. Hyde again in the fourth quarter, as the Tides rode strong play from Riley Peschek inside. The junior center, who has put together some nice games recently, scored 17 points, pulled down 10 boards and had seven assists. She might choose to take her talents to the softball diamond collegiately, but if she keeps putting up numbers like that, the hardwood might offer some scholarships as well. She helped the Tides mount a furious comeback and tie the score at 68 with a little over a minute to go, and it seemed like Gig Harbor might steal one.
But much like a track athlete who has chased down a runner from behind and expended all their energy to catch up, the Tides didn’t have the stamina left to take the lead. The Hilanders scored on a layup to break the tie. Gig Harbor missed a shot and had to foul as Kelso scored the game’s final six points. Although disappointed, Gig Harbor displayed with the run that it’s capable of playing in the district championship game. But to advance, the Tides must learn that in a 32-minute game, the first minute is just as important as the last.
Besides Schwab’s 24 and Peschek’s 17 points, guard Olivia Paul had another steady game with 11 points and the athletic Baylee Young did a little of everything and contributed 10 points.
The Lady Tides love their country and each other. Photo courtesy of Maria Dorsten
The Tides will play for third place Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Auburn against Lincoln, who Guinasso said are “super fast, they move the ball and fast break on everything.” For the Tides to win, they’ll have to play a halfcourt game, control the rebounds and not allow leak-outs or turnovers in the open court. If they can’t, Lincoln could unleash an up-tempo style that the Tides would would find hard to overcome, according to Guinasso. What was evident from Wednesday’s game, however, is that the Tides will not quit and go away. They will battle to the very end.