Prep girls basketball: Kentlake 42, Kamiak 34
Published 8:03 pm Saturday, February 27, 2016
PUYALLUP — A big early deficit was too much for Kamiak to overcome, and the result was a 42-34 season-ending loss to Kentlake in a 4A state regional girls game Saturday night at Rogers High School.
Plagued by turnovers and poor shooting at the outset, the Knights had just one field goal through the game’s first 12½ minutes and at that point trailed 13-2. The offense picked up late in the first half, but the deficit was 22-9 at halftime.
Still, Kamiak refused to buckle and was within 30-22 heading to the fourth quarter. With less than a minute remaining the Knights were within 37-31 and had a look at a 3-pointer that would have pulled them within three, though the shot kicked off the rim.
“It’s tough scoring two points in one quarter and then expecting to come back,” said Kamiak coach Brian Norman. “But we were right there (at the end). To the girls credit they fought hard and battled back. It was just a possession here or there. If we make a 3 late, get a rebound, it could’ve been a different outcome.”
In the days leading up to the game, he added, “our practices have been loose and the girls have been really excited. So I felt good about (our chances) going in, but there must’ve been some nerves. … We missed some pretty easy shots in that first quarter. Shots that normally we’d make.”
Sarah Payne and Kate Huguenin both had 11 points to lead Kamiak. Sydney Peterson and Aniston Denckla had 12 points apiece for Kentlake.
Though the season came up short of next week’s state tournament at the Tacoma Dome, “it’s the first time since 2009 that Kamiak has been this far (in the playoffs),” Norman pointed out. “So it’s a good accomplishment for the girls, and we played all the way through to the final buzzer.”
At Rogers H.S.
Kamiak271312—34
Kentlake1012812—42
Kamiak—Hunter Beirne 3, Alex Gallaher 3, Sarah Payne 11, Tylor Adcock 0, Sami Wendt 0, Kate Huguenin 11, Brittney Kessel 0, Jamie Beirne 2, Aliea Marrero 4, Karsen Alexander 0. Kentlake—Sydney Peterson 12, Anna Kruse 2, Emma Jackson 4, Aniston Denckla 12, Kylee Johnson 2, Aolani Talamaivao-Calderon 1, Karizma Loeffler 2, Jada Leonard 7. Records—Kamiak 15-11 overall. Kentlake 21-5.
