Two different teams, two different head coaches, two different styles.
For the Woodinville High School basketball program, the results for the season couldn’t be more different, but one thing is for sure, both teams have heart and both teams have that want and desire to win.
For the Woodinville High School Girls Basketball team, these last week of games were filled with great shots, good assists, speed like no other team in the league can show, and of course, dedication.
With some members of the team battling injuries, all season other players had to step up and take charge of the team and lead the offense.
Friday night against Bothell, with Mackenzie Campbell and Kim Frost playing together, the threat was unstoppable. Beating Bothell by the score of 71-33, Woodinville showed off all that they had.
Erin Hamilton added 10 points and Seattle Farner, who didn’t get to play during the first half of the season due to injury, got in 7 points. With a balanced offense attack, Woodinville is becoming a nightmare for defenses all over the league.
With the win against Bothell, the girls’ winning streak was extended to eight games, bringing their record to 13-2 overall and 6-2 in the league. Currently, they are ranked 13th overall in the state.
Skyline and Eastlake, who beat Woodinville earlier in the year, and Inglemoor, one of the top teams in the league, may be the biggest threats to this Woodinville team.
Earlier in the week, the team played Garfield and won 61-15, again, showing off their ability to not only score the ball efficiently, but also play hard and tough defense. It's something the Woodinville High School Boys Basketball team and their coach, Mark Folsom, has said is their main focus for the game.
The WHS Boys Basketball team faced one of the hardest weeks they’ve had all year, playing Garfield, who was ranked seventh in the state, and Bothell, ranked third.
Taking on Garfield last Tuesday night, Woodinville got off to a slow start, letting Garfield jump out to a 22-4 lead after the first quarter. The inability to score the ball hurt the team, but small improvements were seen on defense towards the end of the game, holding Garfield to 27 points in the whole second half, versus 45 in the first half.
Losing to Garfield 72-31, Woodinville quickly tried to regroup and focus on the tough crosstown rival matchup against Bothell Friday night.
The game lived up to its hype as tempers flared, dunks were thrown down, and three’s were flying left and right.
With students and parents galore, the Woodinville gym was packed. Parking lots were filled up and the excitement for the game could be felt all around.
In the first quarter, Woodinville got off to a good start, scoring first and keeping Bothell to a mere 4 points for a good portion of the first quarter. However, this didn’t last.
Leading just 10-4 after the first quarter, Bothell turned it up a notch and put up 28 points in the second quarter to Woodinville’s 6, giving a half time score of 38-10.
However, not all was lost in the second quarter for Woodinville. With emotions rising and hard shoves, pushes and elbows being thrown, it was no surprise that a small scuffle ensued between a Bothell and Woodinville player.
As this pumped up the crowd, it seemed as this small scuffle between Bothell and Woodinville just confirmed the Falcons desire and want to win and want to not just self-destruct and give up.
It showed clearly that at least one player on this Woodinville team, had some heart, had some emotion, had some desire and will, something that the Woodinville crowd wasn’t all that used to seeing. Though despite this jolt of energy, Woodinville couldn’t produce.
Woodinville Head Coach Mark Folsom decided to sit the Woodinville player for the rest of the game, while Bothell Head Coach Ron Bollinger had no hesitation in putting his player back in, who was of course, leading scorer of the league, Zach Lavine.
This decision by Woodinville wasn’t surprising, though the effects of a starting player out for the rest of the game was clearly seen.
After halftime though, the Falcons started to get into an offensive rhythm, though still couldn’t stop Bothell. Whenever Woodinville scored, Bothell would just go down the court and score. The defense needs to step up and become relevant for Woodinville if they want to win games.
UCLA-bound Zach Lavine scored a season high and team high for the game, 37 points while the leading scorer for Woodinville was senior Quinten Parker with 14 points as the Falcons ultimately lost 73-46.
The Falcons know this is a rebuilding year, so getting used to a different offensive strategy and defense mindset the new coach brought in is going to take some work. However, giving up 70+ points to teams is something that shouldn’t be happening.
Next game for the boys basketball team is against Newport Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. The next game for the girls basketball team is against Newport on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Be sure to come out and support!
