The two most accomplished girls basketball programs from Southwest Washington this century met again Tuesday. And defense ruled again.
Hannahjoy Adams was a force all night on defense, plus she made 8 of 10 free throws, leading Skyview to a 40-36 victory over host Prairie in non-league action.
Prairie’s defense was on point, too, forcing 25 turnovers. But the Falcons’ offense couldn’t get enough shots to fall against an all-out Skyview effort.
“We work on defense every day in practice,” Adams said. “That’s our main focus. We can work hard no matter what on defense. If your shots aren’t falling, can’t do anything about that.”
But defense works whenever it is the top priority, she said. It was on this night.
Skyview held Prairie to four points in each of the first and third quarters.
Still, because the Falcons can play that defense, too, this game was close.
Cherita Daugherty, who led all scorers with 15 points, made two free throws to bring the Falcons within five points with 1:42 to play. A runner from Jozie Tangeman made it 37-34.
Then the Falcons got back-to-back steals, only to miss on back-to-back 3-point attempts.
From there, Adams made three of four free throws down the stretch, giving the Storm a 40-34 advantage. Daugherty scored at the buzzer for the final margin.
“It was pressure, that’s for sure,” Adams said. “Free throws can make or break a game.”
The Storm went 13 of 18 from the line; the Falcons were 13 of 25.
“We have a lot of respect for this program,” Skyview coach Jennifer Buscher said. “This is always a good win. This is the best our kids have played all year long so far.”
Skyview never trailed in this one, a matchup of programs that both won state championships in 2012. Skyview took the 4A crown while Prairie was the 3A champion. Since 2002, these are the only two 4A or 3A Clark County programs to have earned trophies at state tournaments.
“This felt good,” Admas said. “They’re definitely a good team, and I’m sure they’re going to improve a lot.”
Adams acknowledged that while the players are supposed to always just look to the next game, this one was extra special because it came against Prairie.
Genevieve Lo added eight points for Skyview. Ashle Comastro had seven points and 10 rebounds.
Daugherty had her 15 points, plus six steals, three blocked shots, and seven rebounds for the Falcons. Emily Peters added eight points and six rebounds.
The Falcons, though, could not buy a bucket. They finished 10 of 43 from the floor, 23 percent.
This game also had a strange situation when a game official and the scoreboard/clock operator got into a disagreement in the third quarter. There was a long delay after the operator was ejected from press row and the school had to find a replacement. Prairie had the momentum at that point, cutting an eight-point deficit to four. But Skyview scored the next four points to go back up by eight heading into the final quarter.
SKYVIEW 40, PRAIRIE 36
SKYVIEW — Hannahjoy Adams 10, Riley Friauf 2, Sydney Friauf 4, Genevieve Lo 8, Mimi Kalani 0, Tiana Klutz 3, Kirsten Johnson 6, Ashlee Comastro 7. Totals 12-45 (3-13) 13-18 40.
PRAIRIE — Lindsay Asplund 5, Jamie Phares 0, Emily Peters 8, Cherita Daugherty 15, Natalie Whitesel 1, Jozie Tangeman 5, Grace Prom 2, Kris Rocci 0, Deja Gobert 0. Totals 10-43 (3-22) 13-23 36.
Skyview 7 19 4 10—40
Prairie 4 14 4 14—36
