TACOMA — They were in danger of getting run out of the Tacoma Dome.
No, wait. That’s not true.
These are the Skyview Storm.
They were, indeed, in a lot of trouble. But they were never going to just give in to the frustration, to the slow start Thursday in the Class 4A state girls basketball quarterfinals.
Todd Beamer of Federal Way held off the Storm for a 40-35 victory. Skyview will take on Moses Lake in the consolation semifinals at 10:30 a.m. Friday.
The Storm, while disappointed with the defeat, came out of the locker room feeling good about their performance.
They were down 12-0 just minutes into the game. They couldn’t get the ball past the Titans defense.
And then, something switched.
The Storm had two chances to tie in the fourth quarter before the rally fell short.
“I just know in the first quarter we made errors and dug ourselves a hole. We did our best to climb out of it,” said junior Ashlee Comastro, who led the Storm with 10 points. “We were almost over the hump, but we just came up short.
“I’m satisfied with that. As long as we played as hard as we could.”
Skyview coach Jennifer Buscher said the effort was championship level.
“To battle back and make it a game … we had our opportunities,” Buscher said. “We just didn’t take advantage.”
The Storm, trailing by 10 heading into the fourth quarter, held the Titans scoreless for the first five minutes of the period. They had the ball, down three, but Makenna Woodfolk got a steal and a lay-up to put Beamer up by five at the 3-minute mark. (Skyview had 24 turnovers and took 14 fewer shots than Beamer as a result.)
Skyview’s Hanna VanNortwick followed with a 3-pointer, and after Skyview got back-to-back blocked shots, the Storm had the ball again. Skyview missed a shot with a chance to tie, then Nia Alexander made Beamer’s only 3-pointer of the game to make it 38-33 with 1:20 to play.
“We were just so close,” said junior Riley Friauf, who had all nine of her points in the second-half rally. “But we panicked and made some fundamental mistakes.”
VanNortwick would score for the Storm, but the Titans made two free throws with 12 seconds left to make it a five-point game.
Still, the way this one started, it was a positive experience for the Storm.
“I don’t think we could have asked for more,” Friauf said. “We gave it everything. I’m really proud of everyone.”
“We told them how much we love them, and how proud of them we are,” Buscher said. “They played with the heart of a lion. You can’t be down on kids who played that hard.”
Todd Beamer scored the first 12 points of the game. It was 10-0 before Skyview took its first shot as the Storm had no success against the Titans defense.
VanNortwick and Comastro each hit 3-pointers in the quarter, then Comastro scored all six Skyview points in the second quarter. The Storm held the Titans to three points in the period, keeping within striking distance.
Maddie Lord led the Storm with 11 rebounds.
Alexander led Beamer with 11 points.
Next up for Skyview is Moses Lake, which suffered its first loss of the season in another quarterfinal game. Moses Lake beat Skyview in last year’s state tournament.
“I’m more confident. After playing such a good team (Beamer), it gives us even more motivation,” Friauf said. “Our goal is to play on Saturday.”
TODD BEAMER 40, SKYVIEW 35
SKYVIEW — Riley Friauf 9, Sydney Friauf 5, Hanna VanNortwick 8, Remi Riley 0, Kirsten Johnson 0, Ashlee Comastro 10, Maddie Lord 3. Totals 13 (4) 5-13 35.
TODD BEAMER — Briawna Kelly 0, Makenna Woodfolk 10, Jahpera Mceachin 2, Bria Rice 4, Lexus Holden 0, Nia Alexander 11, Darion Brown 6, Makenzie Bond 7. Totals 17 (1) 5-14 40.
