By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
On Friday, January 6, the (2-6) Tulalip Heritage Hawks basketball team hosted the first place (8-2) Lions of Cedar Park Christian. The Hawks were coming off their 2nd W and most impressive game of the season after beating Grace Academy 55-53. Hoping to build on their momentum, all eyes were on taking down the Lions.
After just watching the Lady Hawks defeat the league’s first place team, the Hawks had similar ideas. In the 1st quarter, the Hawks matched the Lions basket for basket. Guards Josh Iukes and Nashone Whitebear were getting to their spots early, which opened up space down low for center Rodney Barber to operate.
Leading 12-11 entering the 2nd quarter, Josh and fellow guard Paul Shay Jr. put the pressure on Cedar Park by combing for a 10-2 offensive run. They each scored a lay-up and swished in a 3-pointer. Up 22-13 at one point, Tulalip held their lead and were up 26-18 at halftime.
The 3rd quarter was a near carbon copy of the 1st, with both teams fighting for every point they could muster against hard pressed defense. Tulalip continued to crash the board in a team effort to keep the Lions from scoring easy put-backs. Both teams scored 11 points in the quarter, with Tulalip maintaining an eight point lead, 37-29, with one quarter left to play.
Beginning the 4th quarter, the Lions showed no hesitation in making a quick 3-pointer and cutting the Hawks lead to 37-32. However, freshman guard Josh Miranda came up big once again by showing his shooter’s touch. The young gunner swished in back-to-back 3-pointers to give his team a 43-33 advantage with just over six minutes remaining.
Unfortunately, the Hawks weren’t able to secure victory with that ten point advantage. Over the game’s final six minutes Tulalip was bottled up by Cedar Park’s swarming defense. Outside of a Nashone put-back basket, the Hawks offense just wasn’t able to execute. In fact, their final eleven possessions consisted of four turnovers and six missed field goals. And to compound matters, the Hawks interior defense was at a loss for defending Cedar Park’s #25 who went 4-4 down the stretch, including the game-tying and game-winning baskets.
The Hawks lost a heartbreaker 45-47 to the Lions. Rodney Barber led all scorers with 12 points, Miranda with his three 3-pointers contributed 9 points, while Nashone and Josh each had 8 points.
The loss puts Tulalip at (2-7) on the season. Next up, the Hawks have a multiple game home-stand with Lummi on Tuesday, January 17, and Orcas Christian on Wednesday, January 18.