By NATHAN WHALEN

Special to the News-Times

For the first time in years, Oak Harbor’s girls basketball team will host a playoff game.

“We finished the season strong,” coach Eric Collins said, adding that the team has momentum going into the playoffs from wins against Lakewood, Meridian and Mount Baker. Oak Harbor had a second three-game winning streak in early January against Ferndale, Bellingham and Mount Vernon.

Thursday’s game against Stanwood in the District 1, 3A tournament marks the first time in around 15 years Oak Harbor’s girls basketball team has hosted a playoff game, Collins said. Game time is 7 p.m.

“Stanwood is going to be a tough opponent,” Collins said. Stanwood sits at 6-7 in the Wesco Conference with an overall record of 9-11. The Spartans placed fourth in the 2023 girls basketball tournament.

Sophomore Suki Warden leads Oak Harbor in scoring with 18 points a game. Against Mount Baker, she scored 33 points, which is third best in school history.

Zoe Scott is averaging 8.5 points a game and Collins said she’s come on strong during the second half of the season.

He highlighted the efforts of reserve players Jayde Linson, Reagan Syring and Justine-Carielle Ventura.

“This team is probably one of the more together teams I’ve coached,” Collins said. “We’ve had a lot of close games and pulled out a lot of close wins.”