BY GERARDO BOLONG
Contributing Writer

Suffocating second half zone defense ignited the Seamount League 3A Highline Pirates to a 57-45 boys basketball win against the visiting Nisqually 1A Seattle Christian Warriors on Tues., Jan. 20.
"We finally realized that when we make the extra pass we can run our offense" Pirate head coach Shane Stenesen said. "It was our defense that set it up, though. In the second half our 2-3 zone had all five players with hands up. When the defense runs as a team, that's what it takes to get W's."
Trailing 30-26 at the half, Highline packed in its zone with hands up to effectively cut off Seattle Christian drives to the basket. Still relying on outside shooting the Warriors were rendered even less reliable on offense while drawing no shooting fouls for the entire half.

In contrast to first half perimeter offense dependency of their own in the first half, the Pirates shot 8 of 15 from the free throw line after missing their only charity toss in the first half.

HHS gradually ate away the SCS lead to trail only 34-32 with just more than five minutes left in the third quarter.

Bryan Botka notched a Warrior field goal, but Matt Horejsi penetrated to the effect of two free throws ahead of Dean Tief's tip in. Danny Perkins followed with a half court steal and driving lay up to send Highline into the lead, 38-36, as three minutes remained in the third quarter, Jason Hewitt downed a 3-pointer and the Pirates led 41-36, forcing more turnovers and running to a 45-38 lead after three quarters.

Similar sequences continued in the fourth quarter although Ryan Gifford's running basket and Botka's short range basket cut an SCS 9-point deficit to 47-42 with 5:45 remaining in regulation.

Four consecutive Zane Harshman points built the Pirate margin back up to nine. before Ryan Gifford's corner 3-point goal drew the Warriors within 51-45 with 3:14 left. Highline was unable to completely put away its opposition due to unconverted free throws, although Seattle Christian's normal outside shooting weapons remained dormant until Highline closed with four consecutive points to clear the victory.
Seattle Christian struggled from the perimeter from the game's opening moments, but still managed to overcome a 16-9 first quarter Highline lead with nine straight points beginning near the end of the first quarter to lead 18-16 nearly three minutes into the second quarter.

After five first half lead changes and eight ties, the Warriors held the 30-26 halftime difference that would evaporate in the face of the Pirate zone that triggered an aggressive offense.

"We didn't shoot well from the start," said Seattle Christian head coach Shaun DeYager. "There were some little spurts. We had our chances, but just couldn't get the energy for a full game."

Chief architect of the Pirate offense and defense was senior guard Danny Perkins, who shot 5 of 10 from the field for 17 points to go along with four assists and four steals.

"We ran the offense and I was looking for the open guy," Perkins aid. "Otherwise, I took my shot. Anticipating their passes helped us get some run outs."

Two other HHS players joined Perkins in double figures scoring as well as contributing further in additional ways. Horejsi shot 7 of 10 from the field to help get 16 points and collected six rebounds. Harshman put in 13 points.

Botka was 6 of 9 from the field as part of his 14 Warrior points; he also corralled eight caroms. Taggart Anderson closed with 11 game points.