Hawks claw Lady Huskies

YAKIMA, Wash. — Despite a double-double from Central Washington Athletic Conference co-Player of the Year Allison Walker, the Othello Lady Huskies couldn’t overcome the Hockinson Lady Hawks in the first round of the 2A girls state tournament.

Walker led the Lady Huskies with 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, but the Lady Hawks were able to fly away with the 48-39 victory.

With the loss to Hockinson, the Lady Huskies fell into the consolation bracket of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 2A girls basketball playoffs Wednesday afternoon.

Othello got off to a fast start Wednesday afternoon, taking an early lead in the first quarter. Hockinson managed to close the gap late, but the Lady Huskies took a 9-7 lead after the first 8 minutes.

After trailing after the first quarter, the Lady Hawks rallied in the second quarter to send Othello and Hockinson into the break tied at 16-16.

The Lady Huskies and Lady Hawks continued to place close in the third quarter. Hockinson managed to take the lead 26-24 folling a layup from Daron Dean and the Lady Hawks pushed to advantage to 29-24 thanks to a 3-pointer from Lejla Mlivic.

Hockinson closed out the third quarter with a 6-0 run to turn a 24-24 tie into  a 30-24 lead late in the third.

The Lady Huskies never were able to close the gap as Othello only made six of their final 24 shots during Wednesday’s contest.

Following the loss to Hockinson, the Lady Huskies fell into the consolation bracket of the WIAA tournament.

The Lady Huskies returned to the court this morning at 10:30 a.m. with a loser-out consolation contest with the Burlington-Edison Lady Tigers.