By Chris Trujillo
Herald Writer
EVERETT – Three-point specialist Megan Sullivan hit back-to-back 3-point baskets late in the fourth quarter to lead Shorecrest to a 66-56 victory over Cascade during Wednesday night’s loser-out game at the Northwest 4A girls basketball tournament played at Cascade High School.
It was Shorecrest’s first victory over Cascade in three consecutive loser-out games stretching back to 1999. The victory improves Shorecrest to 16-7 and sets up a loser-out, winner-to-state meeting with Kamiak on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. at Cascade High School. The Bruins finished season with a 16-7 overall mark.
“I always expect a battle whenever we come here to Cascade,” Shorecrest coach Don Daiziel said. “This is the third time we’ve played Cascade in a loser-out game and the first time we beat them.”
Shorecrest held a slim 50-49 lead midway through the fourth quarter when Sullivan came off the bench to spark the Highlanders. Sullivan unloaded successfully from the top of the 3-point arc with 4:10 remaining in the game. She connected less than a minute later. This time she hit her second 3-point basket from the left baseline to give Shorecrest a 56-49 lead. Sullivan finished with six points. From there on, the Highlanders added to their lead primarily from the free-throw line. In the final 2 minutes, Shorecrest went 9-for-15 from the line.
“I’ve been known for coming out in the fourth quarter and making 3s,” Sullivan said. “I don’t play at all and then I come in and shoot 3s. That’s my job.”
Haley Martin, who led the Highlanders with 26 points, went 11-for-18 from the free-throw line, seven of which came in the fourth quarter. Shorecrest outscored Cascade 20-12 in the final 8 minutes of the game. Whitney Michaels added 15 for Shorecrest.
“Haley has always been really strong for us from the line,” Daiziel said. “She been like that since the season began. Tonight we got it done from the line and from our team play. That has been our theme this season: team play.”
Cascade’s Kristi Auckland led all scorers with 27, 13 of which came in the second half. However, the Bruins went cold during a 2 minute span in the fourth quarter, shooting just 3-for-10 from the field and falling behind by as many as 11 points.
After nearly nine minutes of exchanging baskets and seven lead changes, Shorecrest began to pull away with a 6-for-13 shooting performance in the second quarter. The Highlanders outscored Cascade 5-0 in the final 3:21 remaining in the second quarter to take a 32-27 halftime lead.
Martin led the charge for Shorecrest, scoring six of her 11 first-half points late in the quarter. Defensively, the Highlanders held Cascade scoreless for nearly 4 minutes, while forcing four turnovers to end the second quarter. Michaels added 10 points for the Highlanders.
Cascade—Lienhard 8, Bekins 1, Adams 4, Eide 1, Auckland 27, Sullivan 3, Smoke 12. Shorecrest-Dennis 6, E.Farquhar 1, Sullivan 6, Michaels 15, Martin 26, Cornejo 2, Lawson 4, O’Suna 6. 3-Point Goals-Dennis 1, Michaels 1, Sullivan 2. Records-Cascade 16-7. Shorecrest 16-7.
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