2/17/23
Gig Harbor 51, Central Kitsap 40 OT
(Gig Harbor, WA) The Gig Harbor Tides had already beaten the Central Kitsap Cougars twice in regular season South Sound Conference play, but Friday’s win to send the Tides to State was different. Despite leading for the majority of regulation, the Tides found themselves trailing in the final minute before a Taylor Schwab layup forced overtime for Gig Harbor before the Tides dominated the Overtime period in the 51-40 victory at Jon Gorrow Gym.
It was the Tides who had the fast start taking a 10-0 lead in the 1st quarter behind two first quarter 3-pointers for Olivia Paul, before the Cougars found a little offense at the end of the period as Gig Harbor led 12-5 after one quarter.
Gig Harbor then had one of their worst offensive quarters of the season in the 2nd quarter when they only managed four points and the Cougars got back into the game by outscoring the Tides 15-4 in the 2nd to get within one point at halftime, 16-15 Tides.
The early part of the 3rd quarter was similar to the start of the game for Central Kitsap, as the Cougars again struggled from the floor and Gig Harbor pushed their lead to 8. Central Kitsap had a big sequence late in the 3rd to get within 4 at 28-24 GH going into the fourth.
The fourth quarter was a wild one as both teams went back and fourth and the Cougars had their best offensive output of the night with 14 points led by Ella Baumgartner scoring eight of her 14 points in the quarter to help CK get a 2 point lead inside a minute to play in regulation. Gig Harbor responded with a Taylor Schwab layup to force OT at 38-38.
Taylor Schwab continued to make clutch free throws and Gig Harbor contained the Central Kitsap offense in OT as GH outscored the Cougars 13-2 in OT to get the home victory. Schwab overcame a slow start to finish with a game high 22 points for the Tides, including 10 made free throws in the 4th quarter and overtime. Olivia Paul added 12 points and Riley Peschek score 11 points in the win for Gig Harbor. Abi Lundblad led Central Kitsap with a team high 15 points.
Gig Harbor advances to the State Tournament and the opening round on Tuesday against an opponent and location to be determined. Central Kitsap hosts Spanaway Lake in a winner to State game on Saturday.
