Tough loss at home for girls basketball

By Ian Ferguson

The girls basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Bellingham at home January 19. The match against Bellingham January 19 looked like a good chance for the Borderites to lodge their first conference win of the season, as both teams were near the bottom of standings for the Northwest Conference, but a mismatch of intensity and shooting spelled the difference as Blaine fell 45–34.

“Usually our effort is really good,” Blaine head coach Ryan Pike said after the game. “We outhustle the other team but get beat by turnovers, rebounding or better shooting. Tonight we could have gotten the win if we had shown our usual intensity, so that was disappointing.”

Although the team as a whole didn’t put forth its best effort, Pike said senior Kjirstin Larson worked hard from start to finish.

“She really tried to lead us and worked hard. She was on the floor for every loose ball and fighting for every rebound, but it’s a team game and it takes the whole team to put together a winning effort,” Pike said.

Blaine was behind 25–20 and halftime, and cut Bellingham’s lead to one point by the end of the third quarter. In the fourth, the Borderites were outhustled and outscored 16–6.

Josie Deming scored 10 points and had eight rebounds for Blaine. Larson scored eight points and had 10 rebounds. Blaine gave up 20 offensive rebounds and shot 23 percent from the field.

With the win, the Red Raiders are 1–5 in conference games while the Borderites fell to 1–6. The Borderites are 2–11 overall.

“We’re an inexperienced team, but it’s a good group of girls. We’re going to keep fighting and work hard to end the season on a good note,” Pike said.

The Borderites will host the Sehome Mariners on Friday, January 22. It is a “Coaches Vs. Cancer” game to raise funds for cancer research. The Northwest Conference game begins at 5:45 p.m.