BY GERARDO BOLONG
Contributing Writer

SUMNER - The Seattle Christian Warriors came close to being gobbled up by Wolves before persevering in the acquisition of triumph.

Seattle Christian qualified for a third and final season match up with Bellevue Christian after delivering a 50-44 astounding comeback overtime win against the highly combative Coupeville Wolves in a loser-out game of the West Central III 1A girls basketball district tournament at Sumner High School on Wed., Feb. 18.

"We realized it was now or never," said Taelor Willhoite, who played like a fierce tiger for more than 32 minutes of floor time while fighting for five points and eight key rebounds, including crucial overtime action.

The Warriors will face the Bellevue Christian Vikings for the third and final time this season for the high stakes final berth from district to state on Sat., Feb. 21, in a 2 p.m. engagement at Foss High School (Tacoma) near Cheney Stadium. In previous encounters, SCS lost by two points and one point, respectively.
Madelyn Weber and Alex Ellis joined forces to lead Seattle Christian in overtime after the Warriors had stood tall to overcome a spirited Coupeville effort that left the Warriors barely clinging to a chance at victory and continued playoff survival.

After Coupeville took the lead with the first basket in the four-minute overtime, Weber and Ellis took charge.

With 2:28 remaining in the extra period, Weber got the ball in the low post to score a basket while also fouling out Wolves' post player Makana Stone, who had been a total tower of strength for 21 points, 14 rebounds, four blocked shots and four steals.

Completing the play by sinking the free throw, Seattle Christian's all-everything player put the Warriors into a 45-42 lead.

Following a Wolves' turnover, Ellis bombed in a 3-point goal from the top of the key 23 seconds later.
With 1:22 showing, Weber rebounded and scored a basket ahead of an Ellis free throw. Makenzie May's free throw and a final Weber charity toss were sandwiched around a Coupeville basket in game ending action.

The SCS defense also rose to the occasion in the overtime.

It was a miraculous moment and testament to her persistence that placed Weber in position to deliver her performance. In the previous tournament game, a loss to Cascade Christian, she had suffered an injury on her shooting hand that kept her out of the starting lineup. The injury threatened to keep her out of the fray completely.

"I dislocated my pinkie finger (on my right hand)," she said. "It popped back when a player fell on it in the first half. I kept telling coach (Dave Jansen) that I wanted to play, but he kept me out to be sure (except for 39 seconds of the first half). Then, I played through the pain. Tomorrow, I'll ice it and rest before going back to my normal practice routine."

Jansen could be seen continually checking with Weber in order to avoid further damage to her finger and make sure she could handle the pain.

Weber scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds with a steal in her second half and overtime action and helped keep the team together as a unit.

Coupeville stunned the Weber-less Warriors early by scoring 10 straight points that carried it to a 15-5 lead after one quarter. Seattle Christian had problems blocking out on rebounds as well as shooting (first half 2 of 17 from standard field goal range). Shooting from 3-point range was better at 2 of 5. The allowances of physical play benefited the Coupville style of play.

Continuing their shooting success that would become 11 of 18 by halftime, the Wolves built the lead up to 11 points at 21-10 before the Warriors continued using all hands on deck to stay in touch.

Willhoite converted two free throws before Madison Fors' free throw and Ellis' 3-pointer brought Seattle Christian within 21-16 with just more than three minutes remaining until the break.

Four consecutive Coupeville points to end the half made the score 25-16.

Ellis opened the second half with a 3-pointer and three converted free throws, but Coupeville stopped its bleeding to turn its three point edge into a 31-26 margin midway through the quarter.

Ellis popped home an outside shot and Weber, who no longer had two fingers of her shooting hand taped together, had started the second half and now drove the middle for a basket to close the Warriors within 31-30 .

Although Stone was not completely stopped, Weber and the SCS crew of defenders gained better leverage and rebounding to give themselves some respite from the inside battering.

"We tried to front and back her," Weber said. "It was our goal to also keep our hands up on defense."

Stone scored on two free throws, but Willhoite cleared the pack for a layup and Ellis nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer for a 35-33 Warrior lead going into the fourth quarter.

Undaunted, the Wolves received four consecutive inside points from Stone to regain the lead at 37-35 before Ellis banked home a runner for the tie.

It was Stone who hit a basket to send Coupeville ahead 39-37. Weber halved the SCS deficit with a free throw before Stone swished the second of two free throws.

Ellis put down a basket and the teams were tied at 40-all with two minutes remaining in regulation.

Despite several opportunities for each team, no further fourth quarter scoring occurred to send the squads into the overtime which was fortuitous for Seattle Christian.

"My teammates and coach Kara Kogle helped us stay focused," said Ellis, who had a terrific game with 25 points and eight rebounds. "I just thank the Lord."

Everyone that played served well in their situational roles.

Jessa Henry contributed four points, four rebounds and one steal while Makenzie May added three points and three rebounds. Abby Louie scored two points and had a trio of rebounds. Rounding out the scoring and stats were Kelli Ronish (2 points, one steal) and Madison Fors. Fors also had three steals. Naomi Knipp and Ashley Schroder contributed valuable court time with one rebound apiece..