LAKE STEVENS — If you like versatile scoring from backcourt players and unpredictable runs, Friday night’s conference game between Glacier Peak girls basketball and host Lake Stevens would’ve been the place for you.
The Vikings took this matchup 71-63, but not before each team had its say with spells of elite offensive basketball. Lake Stevens junior Keira Isabelle Tupua had 29 points, largely off powerful drives to the rim, and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Glacier Peak senior Brynna Pukis caught fire from the perimeter, hitting seven 3-point shots en route to a game-high 31 points.
Despite the eight-point win by the Vikings (5-2 overall, 2-0 league), this was a back-and-forth affair. Glacier Peak’s largest lead of seven midway through the third quarter was salted away in minutes, as the Grizzlies (5-2, 2-1) would trail by one heading into the fourth. That lead ballooned as the Vikings started the first three minutes and change of the final quarter on a 13-3 run.
Glacier Peak would make a final effort with around three minutes remaining, closing the margin to four, but it was too little too late. Fundamental passing by the Vikings to beat the Grizzlies’ fullcourt traps gave Lake Stevens all the offense they needed to ice the game.
Lake Stevens head coach Seth Dodge’s team is no stranger to playing their best in big moments — last year’s Vikings squad went 8-0 in conference play. Dodge was proud of the way his team weathered a 14-3 run in the third quarter from the Grizzlies, including three quick 3s from GP senior Rikki Miller, and gained the lead back in minutes.
“Last week we didn’t battle through when Snohomish hit some shots. This time, we came out ready to go and hit big shots,” Dodge said.
That charge of big shots was led by Tupua, who scored the first 10 points of the game for the Vikings. But as Tupua, who faced consistent doubles teams as early as the second quarter, became visibly tired, other Lake Stevens starters stepped up. Senior Griffyn Eyman hit a team-high four 3s on an 18-point, seven-rebound night. Junior Kendel Kuehl was a huge part of the Vikings’ 38-31 rebounding advantage, as she compiled a game-high 13 rebounds and scored 12 points.
By the end of the game, Lake Stevens moved the ball around the horn consistently instead of watching Tupua work in isolation as they had in the first half — leading to 13 assists on 27 made shots.
“That was the best team basketball we’ve played — it didn’t matter who had the ball, we were going to make the extra pass,” said Dodge. “When we play team basketball, it’s hard to beat us.”
While the many runs by either team made for an unpredictable and entertaining showing, Glacier Peak head coach Brian Hill was not pleased with the free movement of momentum in the contest.
“We’re just trying to find a way to compete for 32 minutes. We compete well for spurts at a time… but when they’re going on a run, we need to work harder to try and stop it,” said Hill.
On the court, Pukis, a Long Beach State University commit, suggested the Grizzlies weren’t prepared for such an explosive performance from Tupua — a performance that kickstarted Lake Stevens’ offense.
“We need to adjust, because (Tupua) shot very well today and we were not expecting that. So noticing when players are hot and stuff and making sure we’re up on them,” said Pukis. “Denying (the ball) definitely helped, so I think doing that next time will help a lot.”
Early season play typically reveals where adjustments are needed and is where most teams figure out how to play with each other. But for Glacier Peak, it’s an especially tough task this year.
The Grizzlies were without former all-Wesco selections in Pukis and senior Samantha Thoma (nine points, 11 rebounds) last season and finished 6-18. Pukis played for Elite Prep while Thoma dealt with injuries — leaving Hill without the star power Glacier Peak had been predicated on.
“It’s not like we just had a team from last year and rolled in a couple new people, it really is kind of a new team,” said Hill. “We’re still getting our flow.”
With both teams sitting well above .500 at 5-2 apiece, this hasn’t been the worst way to get in a rhythm.
Lake Stevens will be back in action next Thursday when they take on Mead at Glacier Peak High School. Glacier Peak will play later that same night as they host Chiawana before both the Vikings and Grizzlies begin a grueling conference slate in January.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
