NEAH BAY — The past two Neah Bay girls basketball teams have set a very high standard for future squads to follow.
The Red Devils have lost a total of three games in the past two seasons and have captured a fourth-place trophy both years.
That doesn’t even count the six straight years Neah Bay has participated in the Class 1B state tournament and the domination of the North Olympic League.
“Our ultimate goal was to win state but we have lost only to Colton the last two years,” coach Lisa Halttunen said.
Oh, that pesky Colton team.
The now four-time defending state champion has beaten the Red Devils in the first round at state the past two years.
Last year Neah Bay went into state with only one loss, to the Port Angeles junior varsity team, but lost by 30 points to the then two-time defending champion in the first round.
The Red Devils won the next two games to take fourth in 2011.
Just ask the Red Devils, though, because they know history repeats itself.
This year they went into state undefeated (20-0) and met, you guessed it, Colton (23-0) in the first round.
Even though Colton won again, this contest was a lot different.
Neah Bay was behind by only four at halftime and stayed with Colton most of the game.
“Our offense failed us in the second half,” Halttunen said. “We played quite well, though.”
The Red Devils bounced right back, though, to easily win the next two games to take fourth place.
All-in-all, it has been another highly successful season for the girls.
“This group of girls has been [fun to coach], been determined and has shown a positive attitude all year,” Halttunen said.
Neah Bay will lose four seniors to graduation, including three starters, but will bring back a lot of state experience as well as a good group of eighth graders to help out next year.
The graduating seniors are Cherish Moss, Rebecca Thompson, Courtney Winck and Keri Hahn.
Cherish Moss was voted the top offensive player in the North Olympic League while fellow senior Thompson was named the league defensive player of the year.
But there are plenty of standout players coming back, including Cherish’s little sister, Cierra, a sophomore, and Faye Chartraw, Merissa Murner, Hailey Greene and Kaela Tyler.
Four of the varsity players are freshmen.
They include Greene, Chartraw, Tyler and Blaire Hill.
“Hailey Greene was one of our defensive players,” Halttunen said.
“She’s really quick.”
Many of the returning players started games at different times depending on the kind of attack the Red Devils planned.
Halttunen had a platooning starting lineup, depending on whether she needed to begin the game with speed, physical strength or something else.
