EDMONDS — In December, Erin Feeney was the missing ingredient. This time she cooked the Edmonds-Woodway Warriors.
When Edmonds-Woodway beat Jackson last month, the Timberwolves didn’t have Feeney, a junior guard who was still sidelined after recovering from mono. With Feeney back for the rematch, Jackson showed it might be the class of the Western Conference South Division.
Feeney scored a game-high 29 points and made four 3-point shots, leading Jackson to a 69-65 victory over Edmonds-Woodway Friday in a Wesco South girls basketball game. Feeney’s steal and fast-break layin in the final minute helped the Timberwolves fend off E-W, ranked No. 6 in Class 4A by the Tacoma News Tribune.
Freshman post Kristin Stoffel (18 points, 12 rebounds) and Feeney led a potent inside-outside attack that fueled Jackson’s ninth consecutive victory. Jackson improved to 9-2 in division and E-W slipped to 11-1.
“We were coming out to prove that we weren’t just a young team, that we actually have capabilities of beating a team who’s ranked in the state,” said Feeney, a junior on a Jackson team that has no seniors.
Jackson led 63-62 when Feeney stole a pass near midcourt and was fouled while sinking a layin. Later, with 9.9 seconds to go, she made two free throws, all but clinching the victory.
Offensive rebounding was huge for Jackson in the second half. Stoffel, a freshman starter, and sophomore Leigh-Ann Haataja did most of the interior work.
“We keep talking about our young kids. They just keep growing up,” Jackson head coach Jeannie Thompson said. “To be able to come into this (Edmonds-Woodway) gym — it’s a tough place to play.”
Angela Woods (22 points, nine rebounds, five assists) and Abby Butler (21 points, eight boards, six assists) had stellar all-around performances for E-W, which fell behind by nine points in the third quarter. But the Warriors rallied and took their first lead (50-49) on Butler’s layin in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. From then on it was an intense, back-and-forth battle.
Even in defeat, E-W head coach Wayne Edwards appreciated the fast-paced game’s entertainment aspect.
“Both teams left everything out on the court tonight,” said Edwards. “They didn’t take anything into the locker room, either team. And it’s fun to be part of a game like that. That’s what basketball’s all about.”
In the teams’ first clash this season, E-W won 57-54 Dec. 13 in Mill Creek. Feeney did not play, and Woods scored 27 points.
In the rematch, Feeney was on target from the beginning. She scored 11 points in the first quarter, including three 3-pointers, and had 18 points by halftime. She got plenty of help the rest of the way from Stoffel, Haataja, junior Chanel Sam (five fourth-quarter points) and sophomore Megan McArthur (10 points, two 3s).
“I’m just so proud of my kids, the way they stepped up tonight and took on the challenge,” coach Thompson said. “Especially after losing to them the first time.”
Jackson and E-W, which had won eight straight games, have emerged as the top 4A squads in the division. They are battling for seeding in next month’s District 1 tournament. For now, E-W is in first place. But Jackson clearly sent a message.
“We came out really strong,” said Feeney, “and I think we made our mark.”
At Edmonds-Woodway H.S.
Jackson21171120—69
E-W171417017—65
Jackson — Sam 7, Feeney 29, M. McArthur 10, Stoffel 18, Haataja 4, Bylsma 1, Guzman, King, Coacher. Edmonds-Woodway — Kasper 9, Kenney 3, Woods 22, Singh 8, Butler 21, Donaldson 2, Albertson. 3-point goals — Feeney 4, M. McArthur 2, Kasper 2, Woods 3, Butler 1. Records — Jackson 9-2 in division, 11-2 overall. Edmonds-Woodway 11-1, 12-2.
Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.
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