MILL CREEK — The Jackson Timberwolves sent a message to Glacier Peak and perhaps the rest of the Western Conference South Division on Wednesday night.
Using a vast array of offensive weapons, Jackson jumped out to a 23-2 first-quarter lead and coasted to the 73-28 rout of the Grizzlies in a South Division contest at Jackson High School.
“We always know we have the capability (to shoot well), but at that high of a percentage absolutely I’m surprised, anytime you can shoot the ball lights out like that,” Jackson head coach Jeannie Thompson said.
It wasn’t the game most expected.
The game was supposed to be a battle for third place, pitting the No. 3 (Jackson) and No. 4 (Glacier Peak) teams in the division.
It instead turned into a statement game for the reigning division champion Timberwolves, now 8-2 in league and 10-2 overall. Their statement? That despite losing standout guard Kristi Kingma, who currently plays for the University of Washington, the Timberwolves are still the team to beat in the division.
“We’ve been stressing with the kids game preparation. We really tried to emphasize that and it seemed to make a big difference,” Thompson said.
Jackson missed just two first quarter shots (10-for-12) shooting 83-percent from the field and a 21-0 run to suck the wind out of the Grizzlies (6-4 league, 7-5 overall).
“It’s demoralizing especially when you have a young team,” Glacier Peak head coach Brian Hill said about the 23 first quarter points that Jackson put up.
The catalyst behind all Jackson’s offense was junior guard Erin Feeney.
Feeney outscored Glacier Peak all by herself, scoring a season-high 29 points including 19 in the first half. She missed the season’s first meeting between these two teams, a game the Grizzlies won 44-39.
“I just get moments where I’m hot and in the zone,” Feeney said.
Fifteen of Feeney’s points came on 3-pointers, and the Timberwolves as a team maden 10 3-pointers.
“She’s such a diverse player,” Thompson said of Feeney. “She gets hot from long range. She can knock down the open shot it adds a dimension to our team.”
Freshman Kristin Stoffel added 12 points and all but two players got on the scoresheet for Jackson.
The 71 points were the most by the Timberwolves this season and the most points Glacier Peak has given up in the first season in school history.
Not only was the Jackson offense clicking, but defensively the Timberwolves held Glacier Peak to its lowest point total of the season. The total was also a season-low for Jackson opponents.
“They did a good job of frustrating us,” Hill said.
The Grizzlies were held to one field goal and two points in the first quarter and just five points in the fourth. Glacier Peak also shot only 1-for-14 from the free throw line.
Glacier peak was led by Marjorie Heard’s 10 points.
Since dropping back-to-back games in early December — losses to Glacier Peak and Edmonds-Woodway — the Timberwolves have won eight straight.
During their eight-game winning streak, the Timberwolves are averaging 60 points a contest.
The Timberwolves will have another chance at avenging one of their two losses when they play at Edmonds-Woodway on Friday.
At Jackson H.S.
Glacier Peak210115—28
Jackson23182111—71
Glacier Peak—Granger 3, Hawkins 2, Smith 4, Rasmussen 2, Lawrence 0, Hill 5, VanDlac 2, Freitas 0, Gillie 0, Heard 10. Jackson—Coacher 0, Sam 3, Feeney 29, K. McArthur 1, M. McArthur 9, Johnson 6, Bozich 2, Bylsma 7, Guzman 0, King 2, Stoffel 12, Haataja 2. 3-pointers—Hill 1, Feeney 5, M. McArthur 3, Johnson 1, Bylsma 1. Records—Glacier Peak 6-4 in league, 7-5 overall. Jackson 8-2, 10-2.
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