MOUNT VERNON, Wash. - Coming off an extended holiday break, women's basketball traveled north to participate in the Skagit Valley Holiday Tournament hosted by Skagit Valley College. The Clippers faced Wenatchee Valley in the opening round on December 28th. Wenatchee jumped out to an early seven-point lead, but the Clippers battled back and took a one-point lead heading into the second quarter. The second quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with Wenatchee Valley securing a two-point advantage heading into halftime. However, Wenatchee Valley scored ten unanswered points in the third quarter, proving to be the difference in the ball game. Sharay Trotter led the Clippers' defensive efforts with seven steals, 13 points, and six rebounds.
Day two of the tournament saw the Clippers face off with the NWAC's only Canadian-based program in the Douglas College Royals. Payten Foster scored the game's first basket off an assist from Brandie Tobin less than 20 seconds into the contest. The first half saw both programs exchange the lead, and the half would end up with both programs finishing with 29 points. The game would remain tight through the second half, and with under a minute remaining in the contest, Sharay Trotter scored a layup to give the Clippers a three-point lead. However, the Royals responded with a three of their own to tie the game. Following an SPSCC timeout, the Clippers' Kadance Blankers missed a three-point attempt, and with two seconds remaining, Blankers fouled a Royals player sending them to the foul line for two shots and a chance to win the game. Douglas converted on one of the two shots and secured the one-point upset win over the Clippers. Brandie Tobin played well for the Clippers in the defeat posting ten points, six rebounds, and seven assists while shooting fifty percent from the floor.
On the tournament's final day, South Puget Sound faced off with the host-school Skagit Valley Cardinals. The two programs faced off earlier in the season when the Clippers secured an eight-point victory in Olympia. Skagit Valley jumped out to an early lead and carried a seven-point advantage into the second quarter. Brandie Tobin and Payten Foster each scored five points in the second quarter to help stop the deficit from growing. However, the Clippers still trailed by seven points heading into the fourth quarter when their offense came alive, and they outscored Skagit Valley 25 to 13. South Puget Sound shot 61.1 percent from the field in the final period and only turned the ball over twice. Emma Cheetham connected on two three-point attempts in the period to help lift SPSCC to a five-point victory.
Up Next:
The Clippers will open west region play on January 11th at home against Green River with a 5:30 PM tipoff. A live stream will be available on the NWAC Sports Network.