By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
The Tulalip Heritage girls basketball team hit the road for another loser-out game in the District 1B playoff tournament. This time, they would play all the way up in Lummi. Their opponent was the Grace Academy Eagles led by Tulalip tribal members Catherine Velasquez and Tashina Cortez. A trip to Tri-Districts on the line.
The cross-town rivals split their two regular season matchups. In the first, back on January 6, Tulalip won 36-24 at Grace. In the second, played January 30, it was Grace Academy who prevailed 36-34 at Heritage in thrilling fashion thanks, in large part, to Tashina’s late-game heroics.
Prior to the playoff game, assistant coach Deandra Grant admitted, “I can’t even lie, the girls’ energy at practice has been flat. They’ve just been going through the motions, not really fired up for this game at all, but we’re hopeful once the game begins, that competitive spirit will take hold. Especially since we’re playing Grace, a team we’re very familiar with, they know there’s a lot on the line. If I’m predicting an x-factor today, I’m saying the team energy. Not from one player either, the entire team.”
If nothing else, Round 3 between Tulalip and Grace would be memorable. That honest reflection coach Deandra shared regarding a lack of energy was evident in the early going. Even though the girls only trailed by a single point, 3-4, after one quarter of play, they just appeared to be lagging. Shooting air balls, hitting the bottom of the rim, and even the side of the backboard on jumpers further demonstrated the energy being off from the usually high-spirited Lady Hawks.
Tulalip’s coaches routinely called for “more hustle, ladies!” as the 2nd quarter played out. A midrange jump shot by Lilly Jefferson and a putback layup by Raylee Lewis kept the Lady Hawks in the game, even though they were doubled up, 7-14, at halftime.
Coming out of halftime, several Lady Hawks players shared that their coaches gave them the verbal fuel they needed to ignite their competitive spirits. And, boy, did it show.
It was a completely different level of intensity in the 3rd quarter. The girls were playing light on their feet, jumping passing lanes to come up with steals, and crashing the glass to secure rebounds. Their defense sparked the offense, too. Raylee scored again, Madison Sheldon knocked down two buckets, Janeisha Zackuse scored in the paint, and Aylani Lewis got on the board with a bank shot.
For the entirety of the 3rd quarter, the remarkable turnaround in effort and energy showed on the scoreboard. The Lady Hawks defense only gave up 3 points to Grace, while the Lady Hawks offense was humming. The result was a 17-17 tie entering the 4th quarter.
On Tulalip’s opening possession in the 4th, the freshman shooter Madison casually knocked down an elbow jumper to put the Lady Hawks up 19-17. Moments later, Grace Academy senior forward and Tulalip tribal member, Catherine, knocked down a baseline jumper to notch the game at 19-19.
The Lady Hawks immediately countered when Janeisha collected an offensive board and managed to shake off contact to score in the paint. She was also fouled on the play, which meant a trip to the free-throw line for a possible and-1. She calmly made the free throw attempt and put the Lady Hawks up 22-19 with six and a half minutes to go.
With the defense turned up to the max and the pressure of a playoff W weighing in heavily, neither team mustered any points over the next five minutes. It wasn’t until the 90 second mark that Grace managed to end the scoreless drought when they hit a 3-pointer. Tied again, at 22-22, it was Raylee who collected an offensive rebound and, with a slight pump fake, managed to draw contact and earn a trip to the free throw line. Under a minute to go, Raylee showed major poise and made both free throws. Her Lady Hawks led 24-22.
Thirty seconds on the game clock and with the ball and the lead, Tulalip looked to have the playoff game secured. However, Grace Academy guard and Tulalip tribal member, Tashina, begged to differ. She refused to accept defeat and instead of hanging her head, she came up with a career highlight. Tashina pressed Heritage’s ballhandlers, anticipated a pass perfectly, got a steal, and, with seconds remaining, finished over and around contact by two Lady Hawks. Bucket and the foul. Tashina tied the game at 24-24 with her jumper, then gave Grace a 25-24 lead with a made free throw. Game. Set. Match.
For the Heritage Lady Hawks, it was a devastating loss as their season came to an abrupt end. For Grace’s two Tulalip hoopers, it was a moment of absolute elation. Tashina and Catherine literally jumped for joy when the game clock sounded.
“I couldn’t believe I came up with the steal, but in that moment I knew I had to shoot it as quickly as possible, and fortunately it went in,” said Tashina.
“Tashina’s been clutch for us so many times this season, and to be on the court with her and witness her do it again, it’s amazing,” added Catherine. “I feel bad for the Heritage seniors because this is their final game, but I’m also excited that my senior season isn’t over yet. I’m not done.”
A quick look was shared between her and Tashina. The pair are more like sisters than teammates. Then Catherine corrected herself, “We’re not done!”