Jackson girls stave off Everett to win 78-74

SNOHOMISH — The Jackson girls basketball team got just what it wanted for Christmas: the return of standout guard Kelli Kingma.

Kingma, who missed the Timberwolves’ previous contest, returned to the court Thursday and helped Jackson hold off a charging Everett team 78-74 at the Snohomish Holiday Basketball Tournament.

“I’m pretty happy about that one,” Jackson head coach Mark Haner said. “We had a good halftime lead that we managed to give up. But Everett’s a good team. … We had to weather a little bit of a storm there but I’m happy with the fact that we managed to stick with things and grit it out there at the end.”

Kingma, who didn’t play in the Timberwolves’ game against Auburn Riverside on Dec. 21 because of an undisclosed ailment, was a big part of Jackson’s success Thursday. The senior came off the bench toward the end of the first quarter and made an immediate impact, scoring 17 points before halftime.

The well-rested Kingma finished with a game-high 27 points.

“She’s not the kind of player that’s going to show a lot of rust,” Haner said. “She’s spent enough time working on her game where she’s going to be able to put up points whenever she comes in there. She could do it on 100 days’ rest.”

Haner said he expects Kingma to be back in the starting lineup soon, perhaps even at some point during this weekend’s holiday tournament at Snohomish.

“She didn’t play last week so I just wanted to bring her in and let the game settle down a little before she went out there for her first time back,” Haner said. “But I would anticipate probably seeing her in the starting lineup, if not in this tournament, then when we get back to conference play.”

Behind the play of Kingma, Jackson built a 46-37 halftime lead.

Then Darian Rielly and the Seagulls rallied.

Rielly helped spark an 11-2 Everett run to open the third quarter, with the Seagulls tying the score at 48. Rielly scored 12 of her 23 points in the third period.

“She was huge,” Everett head coach John Low said. “Obviously, at halftime they’re talking about stopping Sidney (Rielly) and then that forces our other players to step up. Darian stepped up. She had some nice drives to the basket, she helped get them in foul trouble and got us to the free-throw line.”

Darian and her sister, Sidney, who finished with a team-high 24 points, formed a 1-2 punch that staggered Jackson a bit.

“That was the best first half of basketball we played all year, but they weren’t going to go away without putting up some shots, and they did that in the third,” Haner said. “… Especially when Darian Rielly’s hitting like that. It really makes it tough because it makes it harder to help when you’re trying to deal with Sidney.”

The game featured the top scorers in both Wesco 3A (Sidney Rielly at 23.4 points per game) and Wesco 4A (Kingma with 26.5).

After the Everett run, the two teams exchanged the lead multiple times in the fourth quarter until Kingma hit a pair of free throws to put Jackson ahead. Sierra Anderson added two more free throws in the game’s final 13 seconds to seal the victory and hand Everett its first loss of the season.

“We came out in the third quarter and dug ourselves out of a little bit of a hole we were in at halftime, and then we just went toe-to-toe with them and traded possessions the rest of the game,” Low said. “It was kind of almost whoever ended up with the ball last.”

Along with Kingma, Jackson (4-1 overall) was led by Anderson, who scored 23 points, and junior Faithaleen Lopez-Flores, who added 20. All three Timberwolves are in the top six in scoring in Wesco 4A.

“The thing that’s nice is you can’t take away any one of the girls on this team. We have a lot of girls that can score the basketball,” Haner said. “Any time we’re passing and moving the ball well, we’re a tough team to guard.

“And that doesn’t even count Imari Clinton (11th in the league at 12 points per game), who’s also scored 20 points in a game this season.”

Low said Jackson was a good opponent for Everett to face early in the season.

“I thought this was a great test for us,” he said. “They’re a team that’s been to state, is battle-tested and has played in Tacoma. We got the opportunity to see how we measured up. I’m pretty happy with how we competed against them.”

The Seagulls (5-1) have a quick turnaround, with a game against Snohomish tonight in the three-day Snohomish Holiday Basketball Tournament.

“That’s another reason why we do this three-day tournament, because if you reach your ultimate goals, you’re going to be playing back-to-back games at some point in the year,” Low said. “This will be a good test. I think the girls were disappointed, but I also think they’re ready to shake it off and come out tomorrow and get the next team.”

At Snohomish H.S.

Jackson 20 26 11 21 — 78

Everett 15 22 21 16 — 74

Everett—Caroline Overstreet 0, Sydney Taggart 6, Darian Rielly 23, Sidney Rielly 24, Tenika Wentworth 7, Julie Ramirez 0, Amber Hagar 12, Katy Hedington 2. Jackson—Faithaleen Lopez-Flores 20, Sierra Anderson 23, Kelli Kingma 27, Imari Clinton 4, Emily Kipp 0, Anna Johnson 0, Drew Locknane 2, Kassaundra Jackson 0, Emily Boyd 2. 3-point goals—Lopez-Flores 3, Anderson 3, Kingma 5, D. Rielly 4, S. Rielly 3. Records—Jackson 4-1 overall. Everett 5-1.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.