Wahluke girls basketball fall twice to Riverview and Highland

MATTAWA — The still short-handed Wahluke High School girls basketball team lost to River View, 82-50, and Highland, 54-45 last week. With only six players, the Warriors run out of gas easily.

“Too many turnovers . . . score was closer than indicated, but with only six kids we seem to run out of gas in the fourth quarter - happened most every game,” coach Brock Anderson said.

But there were highlights to speak of. Kaylynn Bailey had 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Bailey had another big game two nights later against Highland. She scored 16 points and picked off 27 rebounds.

“We actually led in the fourth quarter before they pulled away,” Anderson soon.

Of the six players, Wahluke has a starting point guard from last year. Jackie Hidalgo was 2nd team all-league last year. Every other player is an inside player.

“The five girls we are missing are all ball-handling type guards. Teams figure this out pretty quickly and double or even triple-team Jackie, who really doesn’t have any help in terms of bringing the ball up court,” Anderson said.

“In addition, without much speed and quickness, it is difficult to cover the 3-point shot very well, so teams get a lot of open looks from there.”

Riverview made ten 3-point shots and Highland attempted 28.

“The girls have played their hearts out, and I’m proud of them for that,” Anderson said.