Second place Seamount League Mount Rainier kept up the pressure in a 69-33 girls basketball defeat of Evergreen (White Center) in Des Moines on Monday, January 11.

“We talked about keeping our focus for the whole game,” said Mount Rainier head coach Bob Bolam. “The girls were over aggressive and we fouled too much. We have to learn how to play hard without fouling.”

Mount Rainier (6-1 league, 9-2 overall) put any doubts of the final outcome to rest immediately, scoring the first 10 points of the game in rapid succession off steals and turnovers before Chaz Tarimei converted two free throws for Evergreen (0-6, 0-7). Next came a kick out pass to Zerina Kapetanovic for a three-point goal that ignited a 7-0 Ram scoring salvo that led to a 23-7 first quarter command for Mount Rainier.

Despite bouts of errant passing and occasional lapses of cohesiveness, the Rams whisked away to a 34-15 halftime control.

“We have to keep our focus,” emphasized Mount Rainier guard Marisa Blair, who ran to daylight for 16 of her game high 20 points in the first half. “In the second half, we lost some of our focus.”

Evergreen battled persistently, but the experience and skill level were assets for the Rams. Mount Rainier established a 27 point gap in the third quarter and kept cascading away no matter what players were on the court.

“This is my first year here,” stated Wolverine head coach Tamika Stewart. “We are in a rebuilding phase. It was a rocky start to the season, but we’re showing progress. Our team defense is better.”

Kiana Gandy continued her fine play for Mount Rainier with 12 points. Maylynn Mitchell scored seven points - all in the third quarter. 

Guard Zerina Kapetanovic scored eight points with five rebounds and five assists while being praised by coach Bolam for handling the ball well.

Brianna Fiso and Linda Ba scored seven points apiece for the Wolverines.