By Jeremy Martin

Fans of fast passed basketball were treated to a holiday feast Saturday afternoon when the Ladyhawks of Chief Sealth traveled to Cleveland High to face off against the Eagles.

The menu featured a steady dose of full court pressure, fast breaks and run n’ gun action as Cleveland knocked off a scrappy Sealth team 69-33.

After taking down Bainbridge Friday night, the Ladyhawks (2-1) ran into a hungry and extremely talented Eagles team that controlled momentum for the majority of the game.

“Coming in I knew this was going to be a battle. Cleveland is stacked beyond most metro teams, but this will be our toughest game this season I believe. My girls battled hard and that’s all I wanted from them,” Chief Sealth head coach Katie Jo Maris said.

If any of her team mates were intimidated by the surroundings, O’Shae Walker brought enough confidence to share, as the junior guard did all she could to keep the Ladyhawks in the game.

A personal 6-0 second quarter run brought her to the attention of the Eagle’s defense as the guard was able slice her way into the lane on several occasions, getting to the rim for layup attempts.

Walker finished the game as Sealth’s leading scorer with 13 points.

“It was key for her to play aggressively. Their ball pressure is amazing, she wasn’t used to the collapse defense that they play but she finally got through it in the second half and got going,” Maris said.

Despite her aggressiveness, Sealth found itself overmatched by the bigger, stronger, faster Eagles at nearly every turn.

“It was a reality check. The style of game we want to play is their style, their speed and quickness, that’s how we want to play. We’re taking baby steps, we’ll get there,” Maris said.

Still scoreless and trailing by 13 midway through the first quarter, sophomore forward Elliott Snodgrass entered the game and immediately hit a fast break jumper from the right wing. The Ladyhawks followed that basket with a long jumper from Samantha Scroggins, shrinking the Cleveland lead to single digits.

The Eagles however would go on several runs thereafter, using a fierce press as well as a definitive size advantage to take control of the game and extend the lead to 30 by the third quarter.

Junior Joyce Harrell was a key player during Cleveland’s take-over, amassing 15 points and 6 rebounds all the while commanding double teams near the rim.

But Cleveland also had weapons on the perimeter, namely Makayla Roper who netted a game high 19 points to go with 5 assists and three steals.

Myshanique Ladd added 16 points and four steals for Cleveland.

Snodgrass finished the game with four points and two blocks while Samantha Scroggins netted 10 points for Sealth.

Next up for Chief Sealth is a matchup with Rainer Beach.