When a game is close all it takes is missed shots and lack of rebounds late in a contest to get a loss. That's what happened to West Seattle in their first round match up against Mercer Island at the Hawks Nest on the campus of Chief Sealth High School.

In the beginning the Wildcats had control of the game pulling away from the Islanders in the first period 10-6 and extended their lead by six at the half 20-14 with the hot shooting of Lexi Ione’s seven points. West Seattle went into the locker room with an air of confidence, but that would be misleading.

In the second half the Islanders found and answer to the Wildcat offense and made West Seattle shoot off balance and when the shots failed the Islanders grabbed the rebounds and pressed the ball to their end of the court.

Mercer Island’s defense crowded the area under the hoop. Every time West Seattle found a lane and drove to the basket the Islanders double and triple teamed the ball handler and either forced a turnover or blocked the shot. On several occasions the Wildcats were forced to turn the ball over due to shot clock violations.

The Wildcats continued to work hard. In the fourth period almost every play resulted in a skirmish over the ball with players from both teams splayed out on the floor.

But West Seattle looked tired at this point. When Wildcat shooters would attempt shots from the arc they fell woefully short into the hands of waiting Islanders who would quickly push the ball up court for a shot.

With three minutes left in regulation West Seattle tied the game at 32 all but that would be the last points they would score and as the clock expired the Wildcats came up short 38-32.

West Seattle isn’t out of it yet having another game on Friday at Bellevue Community College. The opponent has not been announced. Game time is 8:15 pm.