Kaleb Otis scored 23 points, Hadden Zimmerman added 21, and the rebuilding La Conner Braves boys’ basketball team delivered 12 perimeter treys but still fell short in search of its elusive first win of the season Friday night at the iconic 1950s Darrington Community Center gym.
The host Darrington Loggers, behind Hunter Anderson’s game-high 39 points, fended off La Conner’s upset bid, securing an 81-65 boys’ hoops triumph after leading by just three points at halftime.
Anderson drained five of his six three-pointers in the second half, allowing Darrington to extend its 30-27 lead at the break to a double-digit triumph.
With the win, Darrington improved to 8-6 on the campaign. La Conner, which has played a brutal schedule – facing the likes of defending State 1B champion Lummi Nation, 1A programs Blaine, South Whidbey and Sultan, and 2B powers Auburn Adventist and Mount Vernon Christian – dropped its 15th decision in as many starts.
The Braves played Darrington on equal terms in the early going. Brent Bobb, who joined Otis and Zimmerman in double figures with 10 points, tied the game at 11-11 with two free throws late in the first period.
La Conner was within 25-24 in the second quarter on long treys by Bobb and Zimmerman. But Anderson closed out the half with a three-ball and charity toss and Logger teammate Grady Stuvland – who finished with 15 points – knocked down a foul shot as the hosts took their three-point edge to the locker room.
The two teams traded buckets much of the third frame before Darrington opened a 12-point lead at 59-47. La Conner trimmed the lead to 59-53 on consecutive treys by Ryan Reynolds and Otis but could get no closer.
The Loggers clinched matters with a 20-12 run in the final stanza.
Otis, who scored 14 points in the second half, matched Darrington’s Anderson with six three-pointers. Zimmerman’s point total included three treys and a two-for-two night at the foul line. Bobb, like Zimerman, was perfect on a pair of free throw attempts, and twice hit from behind the three-point arc.
Keaton Bailey (4 points), Reynolds (3 points), Landon Stevens (2 points), and Chas James (2 points) also landed in the Braves’ scoring column.
There was no drama on the girls’ side of the twin bill at Darrington.
La Conner, led by reigning Skagit Valley Herald Girls’ Athlete of the Week Maeve McCormick, bolted to 16-0 first quarter lead and didn’t look back en route to a lopsided 76-8 verdict.
Darrington didn’t get on the scoreboard until five minutes were gone in the first quarter on a putback by Cara McMillon.
McCormick, meanwhile, cruised to a brilliant 29-point performance. A senior who hit three three-pointers, McCormick was one of eight La Conner players to join the point parade. Her sister, sophomore Nora McCormick, contributed a dozen points for the victors.
Faith Jenkins (9 points), Mia Delage (9 points), Sophia Edwards (8 points), Finley Hancock (5 points), Isabelle Villard (2 points) and Reese Bird (2 points) rounded out the Braves attack. Jenkins had a three-pointer during La Conner’s opening period scoring barrage.
The Braves girls bring a 12-5 win-loss record into this week’s play.
La Conner teams are scheduled at home with Orcas Island on Jan. 27 and at Coupeville this Friday. Tipoff for the La Conner-Orcas boys’ matchup is 4:30 p.m. The girls’ contest follows at 6 p.m.
The Jan. 30 action at Coupeville gets under way at 5:15 p.m. with junior varsity games.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
