LYNNWOOD — Double-digit losses continue to mount for the Lynnwood boys basketball team.
The Royals lost by 10 or more points for the 12th time this season in a 58-47 loss to Western Conference 3A rival Oak Harbor, Jan. 21 at Lynnwood High School.
“We’ve had a tough schedule, but we need to get better, especially on defense,” Lynnwood coach Darrell McNeal said. “It’s all about defense. We’re giving up way too many points per game. We need to rebound better, play better in the half court and learn to play with more control.”
So far, the Royals are surrendering an average 58 points per game, while scoring just 43.6.
Lynnwood suffered its second consecutive loss and dropped to 2-9 in league and 2-13 overall. Both of Lynnwood’s victories came against league newcomer Marysville Getchell in a 59-33 victory Dec. 6 and a 53-42 win Jan. 10. The Royals are hovering around last place, just above Getchell (1-9, 1-12). Oak Harbor improved to 5-5 and 5-9 and is clinging to one of the six playoff spots in the congested 3A league.
Lynnwood kept pace with Oak Harbor for the first two quarters, trailing by just three points to end the first half. Ryan McArthur led the Royals with a team-high 11 points, and Jordan Norde followed with 10 points. Montique Thomas chipped in nine points.
“We played pretty close to them in the first half,” McNeal said. “We wanted to pressure the ball and make it uncomfortable for them and it was working, but because of our aggressiveness we put them to the free-throw line too much.”
The Wildcats were able to distance themselves from Lynnwood in the third quarter. Oak Harbor junior guard Jamacio Webster hit two 3-point baskets in the final few minutes of the quarter to give the Wildcats a 43-34 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Webster led Oak Harbor with 15 points and guard Michael Washington, Jr. finished with 13 points.
Oak Harbor outscored Lynnwood 15-13 in the final eight minutes, 11 of which came from the free-throw line. The Royals in turn crumbled at the line, hitting 9-for-20 for the night.
“People say that losing builds character, but it doesn’t,” McNeal said. “It can destroy character and confidence. We haven’t played well and it is really starting to wear on us. It gets frustrating. But I think if we can get a few wins, we could get into the mix and even have a chance for the playoffs. But we have to start playing better now.”
Lynnwood’s Thomas Susnios contributed nine points and A.J. Bell knocked in two 3-pointers to finish with six points. Lynnwood hosts Glacier Peak at 7:15, Jan. 26.
The Royals lost to Glacier Peak 65-55 on Dec. 20.
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