By Gerardo Bolong
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

SUMNER - Temporary energy drains in the third quarter led to a Seattle Christian 43-33 loss to Nisqually 1A champion Cascade Christian in second round action at the West Central District III girls basketball tournament held at Sumner High School on Mon., Feb. 16.

SCS has to defeat Coupeville on Feb. 18 in Sumner at 6 p.m. Wednesday to stay in the tournament.

"We lost our energy (for awhile)," said Warrior head coach Dave Jansen. "We didn't run our offense well. By the time we got our energy back, it was too late."

Leading 20-17, Seattle Christian's defense gave up easy lay ups on pick and rolls to inside post player Savannah Hunter and outside shots to Trish Coltom as major parts of an 11-point opening Cougar surge.

Throughout most of the first half, the Warriors had limited the inside openings well.

"We knew what they were going to do," added Jansen. "They're just a good team. Savannah Hunter is probably the best post player in the league."

Weber, Taelor Willhoite and Jessa Henry worked SCS within 28-23, but the Warriors never got this close again and faced a 12-point difference at one point in the fourth quarter.

Clinging defenses ruled the first quarter with Alex Ellis and Madelyn Weber combining for seven points along with a Kelli Ronish basket for a 9-7 SCS lead after one quarter.

Three tied scores occurred before a pair of Ellis free throws preceded a pair of Makenzie May foul shots to send the Warriors into a 20-17 halftime advantage.

Weber scored 10 first half points en route to 11 and gathered 12 rebounds with two blocked shots. Henry pitched in eight points and one rebounds.

Colton scored 23 CC points and Hunter had 14 to go with five rebounds despite playing in foul trouble Holly Suggs hauled in 10 boards.