Shorewood Christian girls basketball coach Nikiole Peterson knew that her team had to accomplish two things to be successful against the opponent of this night.

"Our team needs to run up and down the court and use our quickness," she said. "This is how our team plays with our fast players."

On Tuesday, Jan. 8, the home team Lady Lions succeeded at both to edge out visiting Evergreen Lutheran, 39-32, in an entertaining SeaTac 1B League hoop encounter.

Trailing 28-27 after a robust Eagle rally midway through the fourth quarter, Shorewood Christian grabbed a 29-28 lead before Nicole Jones nailed a 3-point scoring basket to enlarge the margin to 32-28. From this juncture, the Lady Lions chewed up the Eagles in a 7-1 stretch run to victory.

"I really thought this shot was the one that finally turned the game," added coach Peterson.

Shorewood Christian stands at 4-2 league and 6-4 overall. Evergreen Lutheran is now 0-3 and 1-4.
Playing in the former Glacier High School location on S. 142d St., Evergreen Lutheran opened up as cold as an iceberg with Shorewood Christian assuming a 7-0 first quarter lead.

Furiously flinging themselves back into the fray on excellent defense and with high percentage shooting, the Eagles flew back to trail only 7-6 after the first quarter before taking an 8-7 lead as the second quarter started to turn the game into an even battle the rest of the way.

After Shorewood Christian held a turned a 17-13 halftime advantage, it later owned a 21-17 lead that Evergreen Lutheran quickly erased to bring on a 21-21 tie leading to a 23-23 deadlock after three quarters. Morgan Smith scored eight of her game total of 11 points mainly on medium range outside shots to help keep the Eagles even.

"Our teamwork and fast breaks helped us be successful," said the always hustling Smith.

Four consecutive fourth quarter points opened up a 27-23 Lady Lion margin ahead of a furious Eagle rally that brought them into the 28-27 edge that preceded the final malleable minutes.

"Our intensity and effort was very strong," said Evergreen Lutheran head coach Nick Trebesch. "We only shot 4-for-16 free throws and had 28 turnovers. Ball protection is still an issue, but the girls are getting better. I thought our defense and rebounding were strong tonight."

Speedy guards Nicole Livermore and Jones busily ran the floor for 17 and 14 points, respectively, in the Lady Lion offensive arsenal.

For the Eagles, Emily Holder and Karissa Kjenstad earned eight points each and 11 rebounds each as partners to Smith.

Due to not having a gym at its 10300 28th Ave. SW Seattle location, Shorewood Christian rents the 142nd St. gym for all its home games.