PUYALLUP — This week has been a memorable one for Hudson’s Bay girls basketball.
First came a monumental step forward for their program after defeating league-rival Prairie in the 3A bi-district semifinals to reach Saturday’s title game.
It came close to claiming the title, too, but a 51-46 late-game loss to Lincoln of Tacoma gives the Eagles second place. Bay is guaranteed a spot at 3A regionals for the second straight year and will learn next week’s opponent on Sunday.
But Saturday’s feat, despite the loss, is something players are proud of by reaching this stage.
“We want to succeed so badly,” junior Kamalei Powell said, “not only for ourselves but for our supporters and everybody before us who hasn’t played in these types of games.”
That’s what fueled Bay during its comeback against Lincoln at Puyallup High School when it trailed all game only to tie it twice late in the fourth quarter.
Jaydia Martin, the 3A GSHL MVP, had eight of her 12 points in the third quarter to help Bay pull within 39-37 entering the fourth quarter after trailing at halftime by seven.
But Bay had no answer for Sharayah Johnson, Lincoln’s 6-foot-4 center, who scored eight of her team’s points in the final quarter. She had a game-high 24.
In the fourth, though, Lincoln never led by more than one possession until the closing seconds off a Bay turnover.
Bay guard Ashley Rodriguez tied it at 45-45 with 90 seconds to play, and after Lincoln took a 49-46 lead with 17.6 to play, Bay had a chance for the game-tying shot on the ensuing possession. The Eagles, though, turned the ball over.
“We wanted it really badly,” Powell said, “and everybody was digging really deep inside.”
Powell chipped in 10 and Paytin Ballard added nine for Bay.
LINCOLN 51, HUDSON’S BAY 46
HUDSON’S BAY (18-7) — Julianna Medrano 0, Mae Carse 0, Maria Arroyo 3, Jaydia Martin 12, Ashley Rodriguez 3, Paytin Ballard 9, Maaila Harrison 5, Kamelai Powell 10, Stacia Mikaele 4. Totals 19 (2) 6-11 46.
LINCOLN (19-5) — Kristol Ayson 2, Azriah Blackburn 3, Sarayah Johnson 24, Elizabeth Frazier 2, Malani Warren 13. Totals 16 (4) 13-19 51.
Hud. Bay 8 12 17 9 – 46
Lincoln 13 14 12 12 – 51
