UNIVERSITY PLACE - Thrice did not suffice for the Seattle Christian girls basketball team in a Class 1A Nisqually League 59-42 loss at the Charles Wright Academy in the Cutler Athletic Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 5.
On three occasions, the Warriors from SeaTac held either the upper hand or played close to the Tarriers only to witness Charles Wright control the deck in pulling away to large leads.
Seattle Christian began the game by attacking its foe with pressure defense and an improved transition game for a 6-0 lead. Great shot opportunities abounded, but the Warriors were unable to convert the chances to pull away even more.
As Vanessa Davis became a potent inside force, the Tarriers rushed back to claim a 12-8 lead after the first quarter.
The Warriors' second opportunity came when Aly Kaler sandwiched a breakaway layup and an offensive rebound put back around a Charles Wright basket to keep the Warriors close at 13-12 early in the second quarter.
It would be a long time before SCS would show the previously mentioned characteristics again.
Charles Wright Academy held leads of no less than nine points the rest of the first half on the way to the biggest lead at halftime of 34-18.
Forged from aggressive defense and a quick striking offense, Seattle Christian manifested the necessary nature for a great scoring run after trailing 36-20 at the early stages of the second half in its third stretch of solid play.
The Warriors ran the floor as defense transitioned to offense smoothly.
An inside power move from Alayna Gleason began the rally for SCS. Senior guard Molli Ronish broke away fro a layup before CWA called a time out. Ronish then came out of a scramble to notch a 10-foot jump shot.
Following another defensive stop, Warrior Madelyn Weber drove right down the middle of the lane for a basket and then reprised her scoring role with an inside put back to bring Seattle Christian within 36-30 with 5:36 left in the third quarter.
Seven consecutive Tarrier points repulsed the rally for good as Charles Wright kept the lead in double figures and held a 20-point lead at one time before the final buzzer.
"We couldn't make a basket to save ourselves," said Seattle Christian head coach Dave Jansen. "If we could have even shot 35 percent (from the field) we had a chance to win. I liked our fast breaks, but we need more easy baskets. Charles Wright is a good team. Their (losing) record doesn't show it because they've already played the toughest teams."
Coupled with a Friday 49-18 demolition of visiting Chimacum, Seattle Christian resided in fourth place in league at 4-3 and 5-6 overall.
For the Warriors, Alayna Gleason played strongly inside for 13 points, 21 rebounds and three steals. A pair of SC teammates just missed double figures. Madelyn Weber and Aly Kaler each earned nine points.
The powerful inside presence of Davis accounted for 26 points, 24 rebounds and four steals. Majestic Moler moved for 13 points and three steals while Shoni Pritchett barged in for 12 points.
