Jackson girls outlast Meadowdale owdale

Kristin Stoffel and Leigh-Ann Haataja lifted Jackson to a season sweep over Meadowdale.

Stoffel and Haataja combined to score 39 points as the Wolfpack defeated the Mavericks 73-65 in a Western Conference South Division girls basketball game Feb. 5 at Meadowdale High School.

While Meadowdale focused its defensive attention on senior guard Erin Feeney, Stoffel took advantage, scoring a team-high 23 points, while Haataja added 16.

The Mavericks continually shadowed Feeney, who also finished with 16 points, and that freed up Jackson’s posts.

“They were able to capitalize on some mismatches and to hit some key baskets,” Jackson coach Jeanne Thompson said.

Meadowdale coach Troy Parker agreed that Stoffel and Haataja were the difference in the contest.

“They dominated inside,” he said. “Stoffel and Haataja did just a fabulous job, either making the first shot within 10 feet of the basket or getting offensive rebounds. When we made our runs they were able to rebound the basketball. We didn’t get enough of them.”

The Timberwolves jumped out to a 19-14 lead after the first quarter and never trailed in the game, though Meadowdale cut the lead to two points a couple of times.

Meadowdale senior guard Gabi Beyer scored a team-high 23 points, her career-high, in the losing effort. Parker was glad to see how well Beyer played against one of the top defensive squads in the league.

“That bodes well for us in the playoffs,” Parker said. “She played under control and hit big shots.”

Meadowdale and the other three 3A teams automatically advance to the district playoffs. The regular season record determined their seeding. Jackson already had clinched a berth to the 4A playoffs.

The Timberwolves are currently without senior guard Chanel Sam, who broke her hand on Jan. 20. She was scheduled to see her doctor this week, Thompson said, and Sam’s status is unknown until then.

Several players have filled in for Sam.

“It’s been replacement by committee,” Thompson said. “All of the girls have strengths that complement our team. We use a combination of their strengths depending on the situation and matchups.”

Senior Shalena Guzman, sophomore Mary Johnson and juniors Kaitlyn McArthur and Kerra King all have helped to fill Sam’s role.

“I think the kids are feeling pretty comfortable,” Thompson said. “They’ve done a nice job of responding and of being able to play in adverse situations. Different players have stepped up.”

Meadowdale also has dealt with some injuries, most notably to senior guard Julia Fjortoft, who missed the first game against Jackson. Fjortoft only missed two games but it’s taken her some time to find her rhythm, according to Parker. Fjortoft scored 10 points against Jackson and had 13 points, including four 3-pointers, in Meadowdale’s 66-46 win over Shorecrest Feb. 3.

“Right now she’s playing very well,” Parker said.

Margreet Barhoum led the Mavericks with 22 points. The Meadowdale sophomore averages a team-high 15 points per game.

“She’s as fast as any player in the league,” Parker said. “She competes hard. She loves basketball. … She gets so many tips and deflections. She’s a great finisher.”

Parker saw positive developments in both the Shorecrest and Jackson games. The Mavericks shut down the Scots in the second half, limiting Shorecrest to only 18 points as Meadowdale extended a one-point lead to 20 points by the end of the fourth quarter.

It was senior night when Meadowdale hosted Jackson and the seniors did well.

“We rallied around our seniors,” Parker said. “They (Timberwolves) made big plays when they needed to. It was just a couple of really clutch shots on their part. I thought it was a good game to get ready for the district playoffs. … I think the Shorecrest and Jackson games are object lessons for what we have to do to be successful.

“We have to rebound as a team,” he said. “We just don’t have enough consistent height to not have all four of our players focused on rebounding the basketball on the defensive end.”

The adversity Jackson has faced during the regular season has strengthened the players.

“They’ve battled through a lot of ups and downs, injuries and illnesses,” Thompson said. “We’ve asked kids to play a lot of different roles … and to play different positions. We’ve asked a lot of these guys. They’ve stepped up.”