Despite not playing up to the high level that has earned them one of the top rankings in the state, the Raymond Seagulls did just enough to squeak out a 50-47 victory over Toledo on Monday at Toledo High School.
Raymond (12-1 overall) got off to a hot start behind 11 first-quarter points from senior guard Kyra Gardner, leading to a 16-10 Seagulls lead heading into the second period.
But Toledo (8-6), a team that entered the game in the midst of a three-game losing streak, held Gardner to three points in the second quarter and outscored the Seagulls 15-5 to take a 25-21 lead into the half.
The Mules, which held a nine-point lead at multiple times throughout the contest, took a 39-33 lead into the fourth quarter before the Seagulls defense put the clamps down over the final eight minutes.
Led by freshman phenom Karsyn Freeman’s six points in the fourth quarter and an intensified defensive effort, Raymond bested Toledo 17-8 in the frame to pick up the tough road victory.
“This was not one of our most impressive wins, but we won’t give it away,” Raymond head coach Jason Koski said. “We faced a nine-point deficit multiple times, mainly due to our inability to be disciplined on defense.”
Gardner finished with a game high 24 points, five rebounds, five assists and seven steals to lead Raymond to its 11th straight win.
“Kyra did a great job competing and giving us a chance to squeeze out the victory,” Koski said of the Washington State commit.
Freeman finished with 15 points, two assists and a rebound with sophomore guard Kyndal Koski adding seven points, six rebounds and a pair of assists for Raymond.
Toledo was led by Taylor Langhaim and Greenlee Clark, who finished with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Raymond, which was ranked No. 1 in the state’s WIAA RPI 2B class ranking as of Monday evening, will face No. 14 Forks in a battle for first place in the Pacific League at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Forks.
Raymond 16 5 12 17 — 50
Toledo 10 15 14 8 — 47
Raymond (50) — Gardner 24, Freeman 15, Kyndal Koski 7, Alia Enlow 2, Sidney Swogger 2
Toledo (47) — Langham 16, Clark 15, Stanley 7, Rodriguez 6, Dillon 3
Aberdeen 48, Rochester 31
After a pair of rough losses to two of the state’s top teams, the Aberdeen Bobcats picked up a much-needed 48-31 victory over Rochester on Monday at Rochester High School.
Coming off blowout losses to No. 1 Tumwater and No. 4 WF West last week, Aberdeen (6-6, 3-5 2A Evergreen) got double digit scoring from three Bobcats and held the Warriors (4-8, 3-6) to eight or less points in each period and 10-of-52 (19%) shooting to pick up the win.
Abby Martinez led Aberdeen with 14 points with Maddi Gore (11 points) and Zoe Troeh (10 pts.) also breaking double digits as the Bobcats outscored Rochester 31-16 over the final 16 minutes of the game.
Aberdeen hosts Shelton at 7 p.m. Friday.
Aberdeen 12 5 15 16 — 48
Rochester 8 7 8 8 — 31
Scoring
Aberdeen (48) — Martinez 14, Gore 11, Troeh 10
Rochester (31) — Hoover 11
PREP BOYS BASKETBALL
Rochester 53, Aberdeen 38
Aberdeen fell to 0-8 in league play with a 53-38 loss to Rochester on Monday in Aberdeen.
The Bobcats (1-13, 0-8 2A Evergreen) fell behind 17-9 at the end of the first quarter and 34-19 by halftime.
Aberdeen responded by holding Rochester (4-9, 2-5) to 19 points in the second half but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit and as Aberdeen’s losing streak extended to 12 games with the loss.
“Give coach Derrick Pringle and (Rochester) credit. (They) have some youthful talent turning things around,” Aberdeen head coach Mark Buckman said.
Five Rochester players scored at least eight points, led by Tyler Kaltush’s 16.
Junior guard Baylor Ainsworth led the Bobcats with nine points on three 3-pointers.
The Bobcats face Shelton at 7 p.m. Thursday in Shelton.
Rochester 17 18 9 9 — 53
Aberdeen 9 10 5 14 — 38
Rochester (53) — Klatush 16, Robbins 8, Rotter 9, Groninger 9, Payne 8, Henderson 3
Aberdeen (38) — Ainsworth 9, Andrew Troeh 8, Isiah Watson 6, Kyle Miller 6, Kale Goings 3, Tommy Ray 3, Manny Garcia 3
Other scores
Prep Boys Basketball
Ocosta 57, Wishkah Valley 12
PREP BOWLING
Black Hills 2036, Aberdeen 1416
Aberdeen lost Monday’s makeup match against Black Hills 2,036-1,416 on Monday at Westside Lanes in Olympia.
The Bobcats (5-8, 3-6 2A Evergreen) lost Game 1 827-600, Game 2 867-588, Baker 1 160-130 and Baker 2 182-98.
Aberdeen was led by Cameryn Micheau’s high game of 147 and high series of 276.
The Bobcats face Shelton at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Westside Lanes in Olympia.
Black Hills (2,036) — Kaitlyn Guinn (120, X, 120); Kaylene Hall (181, 183, 364); Dana Culley (176, 202, 378); Zoey Theophilus (199, 182, 381); Hallie Stuart (151, 215, 366); Bella Brady (X, 85, 85)
Aberdeen (1,416) — Cha’Tara Green (135, 89, 224); Cameryn Micheau (147, 129, 276); Sarah Harder (78, 127, 205); Aliyah Burkett (108, 100, 208); Karie Turner (132, 143, 275)