LYNNWOOD
Julia Fjortoft had a great day on the basketball court.
Edmonds-Woodway’s week just keeps getting worse.
Fjortoft celebrated her sister’s return from a knee injury with 19 points and six steals, Gabi Beyer added 15 points and five steals and the Meadowdale Mavericks practically ran Edmonds-Woodway off the court with a convincing 50-39 Wesco South victory Wednesday night, Jan. 28, at Meadowdale High School.
“They’re our rivals,” Fjortoft said. “(We couldn’t) lose to them twice.”
Fjortoft’s sister, Hanna, returned from a knee injury and played less than five minutes, going scoreless. Thanks to a stifling defense, the Mavericks didn’t miss their leading scorer all that much.
Julia Fjortoft made three steals in the first quarter alone and got to the line every single time to set the tone early as Meadowdale jumped out to a 13-8 lead.
“She embraces the idea of making plays,” Meadowdale head coach Troy Parker said of Julia. “She’s such a good athlete, and she’s learned to play with control. When she does that, she’s lethal.”
“We have to (force turnovers), we have to get points in transition,” Parker added. “It was important to get a lead in the first half.”
Edmonds-Woodway defeated Meadowdale 57-45 on Jan. 19, as Hanna Fjortoft missed that game after her knee cap popped out of its socket. On Wednesday, making her return after a four-game absence, Hanna Fjortoft finished with zero points and one assist.
Edmonds-Woodway, coming off a tough four point 69-65 loss to Jackson on Friday, Jan. 23, and suddenly locked in a three-way battle with Jackson and Meadowdale for first place, certainly didn’t need this.
The Warriors dropped into a tie with Meadowdale, with both teams at 11-2 in league. Jackson, with a victory over Mariner on Wednesday, made it a three-way tie for first place.
Edmonds-Woodway has already clinched a 4A District 1 playoff invitation, but its seeding is still very much on the line, and there is a strong possibility that Jackson can make a move for the No. 1 seed.
Meadowdale, as a 3A school, is guaranteed a District 1 invitation.
“Definitely our defense was key,” Julia Fjortoft said of defeating Edmonds-Woodway after losing by double digits the first time. “Being able to hold all of their players under 10 points. Playing them the second time, we know how to control them (better).”
Edmonds-Woodway was led by senior forward Abby Butler’s eight points, and sophomore post Sydney Donaldson chipped in seven points.
Sophomore Angela Woods, who tortured Meadowdale the last time the two schools met with 23 points, was held to five points.
“She got a lot of offensive rebounds and put backs the first time,” Fjortoft said. “(Also) we knew what her shooting range was (this time).”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
