Tides wash over SK

South Kitsap has struggled throughout the season with its offensive execution.

It finally resulted in the team’s first loss of the season.

The Wolves missed all 11 of their field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter and scored just 12 points in the second half as they suffered a 42-35 setback Tuesday against Gig Harbor in a Narrows League girls basketball game.

Despite converting just 24 percent of its shots, South led 35-34 with 1:54 left in the game when Angel Sheldon made the first of two free throws.

Sheldon also made the second free throw, but it was negated because of a lane violation.

The Tides (4-2 overall, 4-0 league) regained the lead, 36-35, with 1:30 left when Quincey Langworthy made a pair of free throws.

Guard Emily Bando then hit a pair of jumpers on consecutive possessions to give Gig Harbor a 40-35 lead.

“Bando kind of broke our spirit at the end there,” South coach Mark Lutzenhiser said.

South missed several open shots during the game. The Tides didn’t score in the second quarter until Langworthy converted a layup with 2:47 left to tie the game, 19-all.

The Wolves only led 23-22 at halftime because Danielle Stewart hit a 10-footer with seconds remaining.

Lutzenhiser said execution against zone defenses would be an emphasis in practices after the loss, but South (5-1, 3-1) missed more than just open shots.

“We missed shots that were open and tried to force some things,” Lutzenhiser said.

South, led by 6-foot-2 post Molly Werder’s 10 points, had a height advantage — Gig Harbor doesn’t have a player who is 6 feet tall — but the Tides also return all five starters from last season in addition to veteran coach Bob Boback.

Lutzenhiser, who also has coached at Bellingham, Wenatchee, Issaquah and Sequim, said his team still is adjusting to his schemes after eight seasons under Mike Allen.

“I think that was the biggest difference in that game,” Lutzenhiser said.

South also struggled to contain Langworthy, who had a game-high 20 points.

“We gave her a lot of points on the inbounds play,” Lutzenhiser said. “We never got smart to it.”

The Wolves were supposed to travel to Tacoma on Thursday to play at Lincoln, but the game was canceled because of snow.

Unless it is rescheduled before the new year, South’s only game before the Dec. 30-31 Riverside Invitational at Auburn Riverside High School is Tuesday against Wilson.

“It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get to play again (Thursday),” Lutzenhiser said, adding that his team was disappointed after Tuesday’s loss. “They thought they should’ve won and so did I.”

Gig Harbor 42,

at South Kitsap 35

Gig Harbor 17 5 8 12 — 42

South Kitsap 13 10 6 6 — 35

Gig Harbor — Jenna DeWalt 3, Stephani Buzar 0, Emily Bando 11, Cassi Fawcett 8, Rachael Smith 0, Stephanie Mikami 0, Quincey Langworthy 20.

South Kitsap — Kelsey Callaghan 6, Samantha Gulisao 0, Stephanie Osterdahl 0, Amanda Feeney 0, Danielle Stewart 4, Ashlee Stoner 2, Chelnesha Thuring 2, Tori Fairweather 3, Angel Sheldon 8, Molly Werder 10.

Contact Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer Chris Chancellor at cchancellor@portorchardindependent.com or (360) 876-4414.

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