TACOMA — Breaking a prestigious 28-year-old state record should feel incredible. It should be unforgettable. It should be a career highlight.
But for Kristi Kingma, it felt absolutely meaningless.
Despite the Class 4A girls state tournament single-game record 43 points scored by Kingma, the Jackson High School girls basketball team lost 77-74 against Skyview Thursday in a loser-out contest at the Tacoma Dome.
Kingma’s 3-point basket from 3 feet behind the line with 57 seconds to go cut it to 75-74, but Jackson never scored again. In the final 10 seconds, Kingma missed a baseline jump shot that would have given the Timberwolves the lead and a 3-pointer that would have tied it.
“Right now I honestly could care less” about the scoring record, said Kingma, a University of Washington recruit. “I wanted that win.”
Third-ranked Jackson (Associated Press 4A poll), the District 1 champion, ended its season with a record of 22-3. After entering the tourney on a 21-game winning streak, Jackson went two-and-out, losing Wednesday to Moses Lake and to Skyview (23-4).
Kingma made 15 of 33 field-goal attempts, including three 3s, and was 10-for-12 on free throws. The 5-foot-11 guard’s career-high point total eclipsed the previous 4A tourney record of 40, set by Garfield’s Joyce Walker in 1980.
Kingma “would give up those (43) points in a second if it meant her team was playing tomorrow,” Jackson coach Jeannie Thompson said.
Senior center Ashlee Smith (29 points, six rebounds, three assists) had a huge performance for sixth-ranked Skyview, which led by seven points with two minutes to go. Jackson generated an 8-2 scoring run to slice the deficit to one point, but Skyview stayed calm and Smith made two free throws with 9.1 seconds remaining.
Elusive, heady guard Abby Olbrich tallied 19 points, eight boards and two assists for Skyview.
“They did a fabulous job. They hit shots they needed to hit and they hit free throws down the stretch,” Thompson said.
Jackson started fast against Skyview and seemed to bounce back from the disappointment following its first-round defeat. The Timberwolves took a 12-4 lead, fueled by Kingma’s five points and two assists.
However, Skyview rallied behind the inside power of Smith, a St. Mary’s College recruit. Skyview led by as many as eight points in the second quarter and never trailed in the second half.
Besides Kingma, Jackson’s statistical leaders included Erin Feeney (12 points, three rebounds) and Ashly Bruns (eight points, five boards, three assists).
Surprisingly, Jackson, known for quickness and hustle, repeatedly was beaten by Skyview on fast breaks and back-door passes. Coach Thompson didn’t have a precise explanation for the letdowns.
“I’m just proud of them. It was heartbreaking. They gave it everything they could and for whatever reason it just wasn’t our week down here,” she said.
“That’s a shame that either team has to go home,” Skyview coach Steve Hook said. “That’s two pretty good basketball teams.”
At the Tacoma Dome
Skyview22171820—77
Jackson25111226—74
Skyview — Olbrich 19, Powell 8, Leverenz 5, Mukensnabl, Smith 29, Oliver 14, Mason 2. Jackson — Bruns 8, Sam 7, Kingma 43, Feeney 12, Kirton, O’Neal 2, Todd 2, Bylsma. 3-point goals — Olbrich 2, Powell 2, Leverenz 1, Smith 1, Kingma 3, Feeney 2, Sam 1. Records — Skyview 23-4 overall. Jackson 22-3.
Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
