TUMWATER — How did the Black Hills High School girls basketball team spend Valentine’s Day in 2024?
Walking off the court for the final time in a winner-to-state loss to Mark Morris, 47-37.
A heartbreaking end to a season where the Wolves were the Evergreen Conference runner-up, won a district quarterfinal home game before losing the last two games.
“It was huge to come back," sophomore Tyler Venable said.
For Valentine’s Day on Friday night, revenge was a dish best served cold.
Black Hills put together a defensive masterpiece and used one vital flurry in the second half to put away the Monarchs and record a 51-34 statement win in a Class 2A District 4 quarterfinal at home.
For the second consecutive postseason, the Wolves are a win away from a state tournament appearance and will face the winner of the other quarterfinal – Washougal versus Columbia River – on Monday, likely at W.F. West High School.
If the Rapids prevail, it will be a rematch from last year’s semifinal that they secured a 47-33 win.
“We preserved and worked really, really hard,” Black Hills head coach Herb Guscott said. “It was a great game. I’m really proud.”
When the pairing was revealed, thoughts and feelings rushed through Black Hills (14-7). Even though this group isn’t as deep, the returners wanted to make up for lost time and change their emotions.
Once the final buzzer sounded, Venable was one of the first players to hug teammates.
“We came out with everything,” Venable said. “You can have a bad shooting night, but defense is all heart.”
The 34 points allowed is the fourth time the Wolves have given up less than 35 this winter and the first time they did it against a 2A foe. In the second half alone, they allowed just five made field goals.
Mark Morris head coach Sean Atkins was pleased with the shot selection “at times.”
Still, it wasn’t a perfect offensive showcase.
“Just couldn’t get the ball in the bucket,” Atkins said. “A couple of kids that make a bunch didn’t make as many as they normally do.”
Yet it was – in the eyes of Guscott and Venable – one of if not the most complete display of defense Black Hills has put on to this point.
“That’s not our strength,” Guscott said. “They’re playing straight up man (defense) and they’re doing their job.”
An early factor was Monarchs’ star Reese Johnston called for three first quarter fouls and was off the court until early in the third. Add in Kiki and Kea Makaiwi also sitting with two fouls, it was a different looking lineup.
Black Hills never took full advantage, but maintained a comfortable seven-point cushion at the half. Once Johnston picked up her fourth, the tide changed.
Venable nailed two free throws, then Kiley McMahon and Natalie Buchanan buried back-to-back triples for eight straight and pushed the lead to 16 points. The Wolves never let the Monarchs get within single digits the rest of the night.
“It was great to finish so strong,” Venable said.
“Until she got her second, we tried to run a couple plays to see if we can get some fouls,” Guscott added of getting Johnston in foul trouble. “That helped immensely. She’s a really good ball player.”
The foul discrepancy was Mark Morris 18, Black Hills 10. Two Monarchs starters fouled out and the Wolves took full advantage in a 17-of-21 effort from the charity stripe.
“We got too emotional and we lost all sort of composure,” Atkins stated. “It was hard to gauge the flow of the game. When you’re missing lay-ins, missing free throws and shooting 18 percent from (downtown), none of that is the referee’s fault.”
Venable poured in a game-high 20 points while Buchanan notched a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double for Black Hills. Ellie Johnson was her typical dominant self down low with a staggering 17 rebounds.
Of the seven players to see the court for the Wolves, four recorded at least five boards.
“Rebounds change games, especially in (the) playoffs, every possession counts,” Venable said.
Now, what stands is the way of Black Hills going back to state for the first time in five years is another GSHL opponent. With four straight victories and eight of the last nine, it is brimming with confidence to potentially spring an upset.
“They know what it is all about,” Guscott said.
