Mercer Island Hangs on Despite Late West Seattle Surge

Posted on February 27, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Tuesday	Feb 18th	2014	3A	Girls	Basketball
Bellevue College	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Mercer Island	11	15	13	13	52
West Seattle	11	8	11	19	49

Mercer Island Hangs on Despite Late West Seattle Surge
By Steven Dion

In the second round of the District 2 3A SeaKing Girls Basketball tournament, Mercer Island was set to face West Seattle. The Islanders received a first-round bye while West Seattle snuck past Eastside Catholic in a loser-out opener by the score of 34-33. The Wildcats have been a tough matchup throughout the season and will continue to do so in upcoming season as the starting lineup consists of three sophomores and two juniors. There is not a single senior on the roster. Mercer Island plays tough perimeter defense and boasts plenty of scoring options. Winner of this game was set to face the winner of Cleveland/Liberty.

The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair as neither team was able to build much separation to the opposition. Islander junior guard Jamie Mounger put together a strong first half by knocking down five field goals for ten points, some of which heavily contested. West Seattle countered with their 6’5 sophomore Lydia Giomi. The post was a tough matchup for MIHS on both sides of the floor as Giomi rebounded well and was able to create space and open looks under the hoop. Mercer Island showed tremendous anticipation of WSHS screens which resulted in a number of turnovers going the other way. A scoring spree midway through the second frame gave the Wildcats some breathing room and a seven point lead at the break.

The struggle for both teams to knock down perimeter shots continued in the second half. As a result, this game took place almost exclusively in the paint. The matchup down low between Giomi and Islander forward/center Anna Luce was very physical as they jockeyed for possession aggressively under the bucket. The Islanders were able to carry a double digit lead until midway through the fourth. West Seattle went on a run that brought the Wildcats within two points and a trip to the foul stripe. The shooter missed, but WS recovered and had a flurry of game-tying shots fired at the hoop in the final seconds. The could not connect and eventually fouled an Islander. After making one of two, the Cats fired one last desperation three-ball, but fell short. The Islanders were victorious by a slim margin at 52-49.

Top Performers:
Mercer Island
Jess Blakeslee-18 points (6/7 FT’s)
Jamie Mounger-14 points (5 first-half field goals)

West Seattle
Lydia Giomi-20 points (4/4 FT’s)

West Seattle Pounces On Prep Panthers

Posted on January 10, 2014 by colincarusoZUMA

Wednesday	Jan 8th	2014	3A	Girls	Basketball
Seattle Prep High	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
West Seattle	12	9	10	9	40
Seattle Prep	4	13	7	11	35

See game recap below

West Seattle Pounces On Prep Panthers
By Steven Dion

One of the many games slated for this Wednesday night was a Metro League clash between the visiting Wildcats of West Seattle against the Seattle Prep Panthers. The Sound division leading Wildcats (4-1 league, 7-3 overall) are without a senior on the roster, but experienced nonetheless and loaded with a powerful frontcourt. Michelle Hall’s Prep squad (3-4, 4-7) are coming off a state runner-up season, but the graduation of integral seniors from the 2012-2013 campaign have left the 15 year coach with a young team. This Wednesday night home game would be a step in the right direction for the blue and white.

The first quarter started with a 8-0 run for West Seattle. Lydia Giomi’s rebounding ability created multiple scoring opportunities on single possessions which helped the Cats grab a 12-4 lead after the first quarter. Prep responded to their mismatch nicely by knocking down shots from the perimeter. Their three buckets from downtown in the period brought the Panthers back within four points at the half. At intermission, WSHS led 21-17.

Seattle Prep’s senior leader Mary Ann Santucci heated up in the third quarter; unfortunately she was the only one doing the scoring for the Panthers. This low-scoring affair kept the ballgame balanced even though West Seattle was able to retain the lead they garnered from the tipoff. The Wildcats were able to protect the ball in the fourth quarter as Seattle Prep attempted to make a late run. They drew fouls instead of turning the ball over and buried four of five in the process. Prep got a pair of three-balls late by Santucci, but it was not enough to erase the deficit for the home team as West Seattle picked up the 40-35 victory.

Top Performer:
Seattle Prep
Mary Ann Santucci – 15 points (3 3pt FG’s, 2/2 FT’s)

West Seattle Controls the Ground Game, Beats Franklin

Posted on September 21, 2013 by colincarusoZUMA

Friday	Sept. 20	2013	3A	Boys	Football
Memorial Stadium	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
West Seattle	0	14	12	0	26
Franklin	0	0	6	6	12

See game recap below

West Seattle Controls the Ground Game, Beats Franklin
By Colin Caruso

West Seattle’s Raphael Jackson and his four rushing touchdowns were too much for the Franklin Quakers, who have now lost three straight contests. Both teams exchanged punts for the first quarter, but the West Seattle Wildcats started the second with a bang. A 61 yard run by Jackson led to an easy three yard TD run by Jackson as well, a solid start to his amazing day. After the teams exchanged punts, Franklin encountered a botched snap and gave away the ball on their own 12 yard line. Jackson capitalized again with a 12 yard run on the ensuing play to take the lead 14-0. Franklin needed a response and seemingly responded on the next drive with an 80 yard touchdown run by senior Marcel Boatwright. But the play was called back by an illegal block in the back and the half ended 14-0 in favor of the Wildcats.

Franklin received the kickoff in the second half, but threw an interception on their second offensive play, giving the Wildcats an opportunity to capitalize on good field position. Jackson struck again with another short TD run, his third, to take the lead 20-0. James Flowers of the Quakers answered with a 57 yard TD run on Franklin’s next possession, but just one minute later Jackson responded again. This time a 69 yard run, his longest scoring run of the day, put West Seattle ahead 26-6. Franklin would score again late in the fourth, but it was too little too late, and West Seattle won in commanding fashion, 26-12.

Top Performers:
West Seattle
Raphael Jackson – 7 carries 150 yards, 4TD

Franklin
James Flowers III – 19 carries 170 yards, TD