Meadowdale boys lose to Everett in district play-in game

  • Weekly Herald staff
  • Wednesday, February 8, 2012 9:56am

EVERETT

Behind the play of junior guard Reece Hoiby, the Everett Seagulls achieved what coach Aaron Nations described as their goal to begin the season, advancing to the Class 3A District 1 tournament by defeating Meadowdale 53-43 on Feb. 6 in a district play-in game.

With the victory, Everett achieved what many probably considered impossible after the team’s 0-10 start to the season. Nations, however, never stopped believing in his young team.

“It was definitely our goal to get to this point at the beginning of the season,” he said. “We’re a young team with only three seniors on the roster, but after our tough start, our young guys really began to jell and we just made a great run at this thing.”

Hoiby led all scorers with 19 points.

“Reece is just a solid kid, who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” Nations said. “He’s just a real solid player.”

In crediting the overall play of his sophomore- and junior-heavy squad, coach Nations was complimentary of the play of senior guard Gabe Woods, whose 11 first-half points, including three 3-point field goals, paced the Seagulls. Woods finished with 15.

Another key to the win for the Seagulls was the overall defensive play. The Mavericks were held to just 18 points in the first half, and seniors Matt Hirsch and Spencer Linton were combined for just three points in the game’s first 16 minutes.

The win puts Everett into the district playoffs where it faces second-ranked Mountlake Terrace, which is coming off its first loss of the season last Saturday to Shorewood. Everett and Mountlake Terrace meet on the Hawks’ home floor at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

When asked about how his team will prepare for the first-round game, coach Nations said, “They’re a big team, but we can’t be afraid. Sure they will be refocused (after their loss), but what matters now is that we are here in districts and we have a chance to advance.”

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