Thurston girls can’t find rhythm

By Emily Panter
Springfield Beacon

Thurston Colts girls basketball team knew they would have their hands full for their game against Willamette, last years 5A state champions. The Colts managed to keep a win within reach in the first half, but Willamette’s Aly Bruns let loose in the second half to run away with a victory. Thurston ended up suffering at 33-58 loss. Despite Willamette’s 58 points, coach Michelle Tuma is still pleased with the Colts defensive game.
“I thought we played excellent defense,” she said. “We held Willamette's inside game, especially AJ Smith, to five points which came from a three-pointer and two free throws. Kristen Walters and Whitney Hughes did an excellent job defending her and forcing her to go outside her normal game.”
Thurston’s offense got off to a strong start, going shot-for-shot until the score was tied at six points apiece. From there the Wolverines would pull into the lead, where they would remain the rest of the game. The Colts kept it close, only trailing by six at the end of the first quarter.
Willamette went on a small scoring frenzy to open the second quarter, but the Colts would dig hard at the end of the half to keep it close. Natalie Smith hit a quick three pointer and a field goal, and despite coverage, Whitney Hughes would score to bring the score 21-16 with about a minute to play. But a buzzer shot from Willamette near the half court line would sink, expanding the Wolverine lead 23-16 at the half.
Not too long after the third quarter started, it was clear Willamette was about to run away with the game. Although the Colts managed three quick points, Bruns found her rhythm and would increase the Wolverine lead to 33-19 with a quarter and a half to go. Thurston managed to sink some shots, but would be down by 20 at the end of the third.
“Against a team like Willamette, who are the defending state champions and in my opinion even better than they where last year, you have to pick your poison,” Tuma said. “We decided to focus on stopping their inside game and hope our quickness would allow us to get out on their shooters. Unfortunately, the second half we did not communicate as well on defense and allowed their shooters, Katie Collins and Aly Bruns, get open looks from the three point line.”
Clearly in a scoring rut, the Colts couldn’t find the basket until just over two minutes remained in the game, excluding one free throw. Elise Nelson scoring on a field goal and a three-pointer, and Hughes sinking a last minute shot.
“We had great looks, but did not go up with the confidence or the belief that we could make them…you can only do so much when you shoot so poorly,” Tuma said.
The Colts only managed to sink 23 percent of their shots in the game.
After a loss to Churchill on Friday, Jan. 18, the Colts are tied for Marshfield for fifth place in the Midwestern League.
Thurston’s next game will be at home at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 25. They will play Springfield.