Ferndale stops Falcons 54-27 in firsttourney game

With all the intensity from a last-second victory four nights earlier seemingly drained away, the South Whidbey High School girls basketball team put up only seven first-half points Wednesday night on their way to a resounding loss in the first round of the District 1 3A playoffs.

Having made it into the playoff game against Ferndale by beating Lynnwood 56-55 Saturday night, the Falcons could not find the spark they used to get past the Royals in time for Wednesday’s game. Held to just one point in the first quarter, South Whidbey didn’t hit much of a scoring stride until the fourth quarter, in which they were outscored 12-11. The Falcons lost the game 54-27.

Playing at Ferndale High School, neither team got a quick start. Though Ferndale did jump out to a 23-7 lead by halftime, the team won the game by virtue of putting up a larger volume of shots. From the field, the Golden Eagles were 19-of-59, compared to the Falcons’ 10-of-43 night. At the free throw line, the hosts also had the advantage, sinking 13 of 24 shots compared to the Falcons’ 7-of-26 performance.

Leading the Falcons in the scoring department was junior Caitie Newman, who had 12 points and 12 rebounds on the night. No other Falcons scored over five points. Meghan Dahl of Ferndale was the high scorer for the game, putting up 20 points on the night.

Now 12-10 overall, the Falcons stand on the verge of elimination from the district tournament. To stay in the playoffs, they must beat Shorecrest Saturday at Bellingham High School. Shorecrest, a Wesco 3A school, comes into the game with a record of 11-11, having lost a first-round playoff game to Bellingham Wednesday, 58-35.

Saturday’s game in Bellingham begins at 2:45 p.m.

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