ORIGINAL 8:59 PM REPORT: Last night, the West Seattle High School and Rainier Beach HS boys-varsity basketball teams faced off (WSB coverage here) – tonight, the girls’ teams took their turn. Final score is in from WSB contributor Randall G. Hauk, who says WSHS won, 48-13. We’ll add his full report here later. FOLLOWING WAS ADDED EARLY THURSDAY:

By Randall G. Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Though the weather outside was frightful, the basketball inside was so delightful.

The fans who braved the cold, wind, and rain to take in the first West Seattle High School girls basketball game of the new year were treated to a dominant performance by the Wildcats, who easily handled the visiting Rainier Beach Vikings, winning 48-13.

Although ten different Wildcats scored in the game, defense was the key to victory. West Seattle blanked their guests in the first quarter, resulting in a 14-0 margin and all the points needed to win the game. After yielding 11 points in the second quarter, the West Seattle defense would pitch another shutout in the third quarter, while not allowing another field goal the rest of the night, leaving Rainier Beach to score only two more points after halftime, both on free throws in the fourth.
The victory was West Seattle’s first in Metro Conference play, moving them into third in the Sound Division at 1-3 in conference play and improves their overall record to 3-6. The loss dropped the Vikings to 0-9 on the year.

The highlights:

Roz Weeks (#13) gets four of her nine points early thanks to an outlet pass on the fast break from Megan Ormsby (#4). Then, on the ensuing possession, Weeks disrupts Rainier Beach’s progress up the court, deflecting the ball to Gabby Flores (#11), who returns the ball to Weeks for the easy score.

After tight defense by Hailey Hage (#10) causes a Rainier Beach turnover, Charli Elliott (#15) takes a baseline path to the basket, following her miss with a rebound, a basket and a trip to the line. Elliott finished with 10 points on the night.

Weeks (#13) loses her defender on the inbound play, leaving her with a clear look at the basket, thanks to which she drains the jump shot on her way to a nine-point evening.

The quick hand work of Flores (#11) forces yet another turnover, leading to another easy score when the errant ball is returned to her on the break. Flores led all scorers on the evening with 11 points.

Annie Patnode (#22) receives a pass in a perfect spot for a quick turn and score. The Wildcats then press and cause a turnover. When Megan Ormsby (#4) misses, Elliott (#15) is on the spot for the board and quick put-back, getting fouled in the process for an opportunity at a three-point play.

In this series of possessions, the Wildcats exhibit their dominance on the boards, retrieving several misses. When Rainier Beach does secure possession, West Seattle is quick to force a turnover, allowing Weeks to sprint unimpeded to the basket for two of her nine points and drawing a foul in the process.