The Highline women’s basketball team fell to the Green River Gators last Saturday, trimming their chances of making the postseason tournament.
Highline suited up its full eight-player roster with the return of Mahala Long from injury, but still got caught in the Green River “swamp,” losing 56-45.
Playing against the energy of the Gators’ sophomore night, Highline missed scoring opportunities throughout. They shot 17-61 from the floor and 5-22 behind the three-point line. The Gators capitalized on the Thunderbirds’ mistakes to score 17 points off turnovers.
“Against Green River, it was already going to be a tough one knowing it was their sophomore night. Their energy was up while our players were also in foul trouble. We just could not execute,” said Highline guard Mercedes Smith.
Highline took an early 16-10 lead in the first with 6-14 shooting. But the Gators crawled their way back with 7-13 shooting and snagged 13 rebounds in the second.
At halftime the Gators led 30-27 with 10-point contributions from Jane Kalama. The Gators’ shooting improved as Highline’s diminished, resulting in a 24-9 third quarter. The Gators amassed a 20-point lead to end the third.
The final quarter was a dud for both teams as Highline scored 9 to the Gators’ 2. Despite a poor fourth quarter performance, the Gators hung on to win.
Highline Guard Patrea Topp led with 13 points on 4-11 shooting. Previously injured Hiilani Aurai added 10 points on 2-4 three point shooting.
Green River’s Addy Muddy was the top scorer with 18 points and nearly perfect 5-6 three-point shooting.
Last week’s loss further minimized Highline’s window of opportunity to make the postseason tournament with a 2-7 conference record. To secure a spot, fourth ranked South Puget Sound will need to lose the next three games and fifth ranked Green River will need to lose the next two. On the other hand, Highline must win the next three games to drive themselves into the postseason tournament bracket.
The team hit the road yesterday against the West Region champions, Lower Columbia, with results unavailable at press time.
This Saturday on March 5, Highline will host Pierce College with tip off at noon.
The women’s last regular season game will be on Wednesday, March 9 against Centralia in the Thunderdome with tipoff at 5 p.m.
Before the game, Highline will honor five graduating sophomores as Thunderbird student-athletes. The five players being recognized are Kylie Lunday, Catherine Sunny, Patrea Topp, Misiona Ribeiro, and Mercedes Smith.