EV girls shoot 27.8 percent in loss to Othello

YAKIMA — There were long stretches in Saturday’s game against Othello when East Valley’s girls basketball team was getting its way. Completely.

Like with its pressure defense, which forced 28 turnovers — double the Red Devils’ total.

And with its ball movement on offense, which used brisk, sure-handed passing to whip around the Huskies’ zone defense and find plenty of open looks.

Trouble was, those open shots didn’t produce enough baskets — an icy 27.8-percent shooting effort spoiled the night — and Othello made up for its loss of possessions by doubling that percentage en route to a 46-41 CWAC victory.

In a rematch of last year’s winner-to-state, loser-out district game, which the Huskies won, Othello handed East Valley it first loss of the season by having four-year standout Allison Walker run the show from the high post.

The 6-foot-1 senior, a University of Idaho volleyball recruit, made 7 of 10 shots, scored 15 points and led an 40-22 rebounds advantage with 15 boards.

“We just missed too many wide open shots,” lamented East Valley coach Robi Raab. “We played hard and that kept us in it. But those missed shots catch up eventually.”

Finding rough traffic inside against Walker and Othello’s zone, the Red Devils hoisted 24 shots from 3-point distance and connected on just four, three by junior Mary Orthmann.

“That’s too many,” Raab said of the treys. “We definitely have some good shooters, but 24 is too many. We had trouble finishing inside, and those (perimeter) shots were open.”

Even with its shooting woes, East Valley’s various presses kept the contest in doubt as Othello committed 17 turnovers in the second half.

The Red Devils’ spotty offense finally put a solid run together in the fourth quarter, an 8-0 burst punctuated by Annie Martinez’s back-to-back baskets that produced a 37-35 lead with 3:35 left.

Othello, which attempted only six 3-pointers and none in the first half, got a huge trey from Justine Villarreal that not only stopped EV’s run but triggered a 9-2 response. Walker contributed two putback baskets in the run.

“We’re still piecing things together and finding what works,” Raab said. “We’ve got several girls who are playing their first varsity season so we need the experience.”

Senior Kendall Hull scored 14 points and accounted for all of East Valley’s points from the foul line, making 7 of 8. Lauren Walker had six rebounds for the Red Devils, who moved to 3-1 in conference and 5-1 for the season.

After opening the season with losses to Prosser and Connell, Othello (3-1, 3-2) has won three straight.

OTHELLO — Mollette 8, Garza 6, Allison Walker 15, Kirkwood 5, Juarez 3, Martinez 4, Villarreal 5. Totals 20-38 4-10 46. EAST VALLEY — Mohsenian 0, Merkle 2, Orthmann 9, Gonzales 2, Kendall Hull 14, Carrillo 2, L. Walker 4, West 2, K. Walker 2, Martinez 4. Totals 15-54 7-10 41.

Othello 15 5 10 16 — 49 East Valley 9 8 10 14 — 41

3-point goals: Othello 2-6 (Juarez 1-1, Villarreal 1-3), EV 4-24 (Orthmann 3-7, Hull 1-5). Turnovers: Othello 28, EV 14. Rebounds: Othello 40 (Walker 15, Martinez 6), EV 22 (L. Walker 6). Total fouls: Othello 12, EV 15. Fouled out: L. Walker.

Filed under All, Basketball (Girls), Preps