UNIVERSITY PLACE — East Jefferson’s switch to a zone defense played a huge role in the Rivals’ comeback and eventual 51-42 Nisqually League boys basketball win over Charles Wright.
Charles Wright got up 16-5 after the first quarter.
“They jumped on us in the first quarter and we got down big,” East Jefferson coach Emmanuel Abbott said. “But halfway through the second quarter, we switched to 2-3 zone which stymied them.
“Then in the third quarter, we held them to one point which was huge. And we didn’t look back.”
The Rivals had 10 of their 12 players score in Tuesday’s game.
Charles Wright, a private school that wraps up winter vacation this week, suited up seven players.
Lonnie Kenney scored nine of his team-high 11 points in the second quarter for East Jefferson.
Ace Johnson knocked down two 3-point shots and had eight points.
Brodie Moore hit a 3-pointer and scored all seven of his points in the fourth quarter.
“Our subs did a great job keeping the lead and playing great defense to give our starters a well-needed rest,” Abbott said.
“[This game] was an all-out team effort and I’m proud of what they were able to do by coming back and winning the game.”
East Jefferson (2-4, 3-5) is scheduled to host Cascade Christian tonight.
East Jefferson 51, Charles Wright 42
EJ 5 17 13 16 — 51
CW 16 13 1 12 — 42
East Jefferson (51): Kenney 11, Johnson 8, Moore 7, Guzman 7, McCleese 6, Petta 4, Dow 2, Lindert 2, Fulton 2, Hammer 2, Martin, Klemann.
Charles Wright (42): Brink 12, Parrish 11, Watkins 9, Bowen 8, Bortel 2.
Girls basketball Charles Wright 32, East Jefferson 30
UNIVERSITY PLACE — East Jefferson rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit but couldn’t complete the comeback in a 32-30 Nisqually League girls basketball loss to Charles Wright.
“Second half, the girls really started clicking,” Rivals coach Lorraine Rimson said. “We made up 10 points in the second half. The cool thing was the girls were really sad that they lost. We had tears in the locker room, and the reason that is a positive is it shows they care and want to get better.
“It was a positive performance. We would love to have gotten the win, but last night was full of successes.”
Rimson said her team starts a freshman point guard in Kay Botkin with another freshman guard, Rennie O’Donnell, also a starter. And the team plays six kids who are freshmen or sophomores.
“[Abby] Liske really stepped up, I think she had nine or 10 rebounds,” Rimson said.
“O’Donnell, our freshman guard, brought an energy that lifted us.
“Botkin is our starting point guard as a freshman and is taking on the role and responsibilities that come with the position the way a coach would like, so that’s really exciting.”
Senior Aurin Asbell led the way with 10 points. Alyssa Vandenberg, hampered by first-half foul trouble, managed eight and O’Donnell also had eight points.
“All of the [East Jefferson] coaches and the boys and girls are trying to change that culture and it takes time,” Rimson said. “Last night, was the first time the girls were able to see what it is like if we get over the hump.”
East Jefferson (0-5, 0-6) is scheduled to host Cascade Christian tonight.
Charles Wright 32, East Jefferson 30
EJ 6 4 12 8 — 30
CW 7 15 6 4 — 32
East Jefferson (30): Au. Asbell 10, O’Donnell 8, Vandenberg 8, Liske 2, Botkin 2, O’Hara, Sebastian, Krajewski, Ad. Asbell, Crecca.
Charles Wright (32): Walker 17, Brink 14, Mulligan 1.
