First-Quarter Blitz: Storm Overpower Whatcom Early in 60-47 Win

Chemeketa used a dominant first quarter and a big edge on the glass to pull away from Whatcom, 60–47, on Tuesday afternoon at Myklebust Gymnasium.

Chemeketa essentially won the game in the opening 10 minutes, blitzing Whatcom 21–5. Whatcom settled in after that—outscoring Chemeketa 13–8 in the second quarter and keeping pace in the third (Chemeketa 13–22 Whatcom), but the early hole proved too deep. Chemeketa closed the door in the fourth with an 18–7 period to secure the final margin.

**Quarter scores**
- **Whatcom:** 5 | 13 | 22 | 7 — **47**
- **Chemeketa:** 21 | 8 | 13 | 18 — **60**

While neither team shot well overall (Chemeketa 33.3%, Whatcom 27.9%), Chemeketa created more second chances and lived at the free-throw line.

Key team edges:
- **Rebounding:** Chemeketa **47** (17 offensive) vs. Whatcom **30** (7 offensive)
- **Free throws:** Chemeketa **13–16** (81.3%) vs. Whatcom **4–6** (66.7%)
- **Turnovers:** Both were sloppy—Chemeketa **23**, Whatcom **21**—but Chemeketa's rebounding and FT advantage outweighed it.

Whatcom's best offensive stretches came from the perimeter (9 three-pointers), but the Orcas couldn't convert enough overall attempts (17-for-61) to fully capitalize.

**Chemeketa**
- **Patricia Mike:** 18 points (4-of-10 from three), key shot-making to stem Whatcom runs.
- **Ava Rubio:** 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks; efficient 7-for-13 scoring.
- **Ella Holwege:** 13 points, **11 rebounds**, 4 assists, 4 steals—filled the stat sheet and helped control the game's tempo.
- **Mia Fullbright:** 8 rebounds (6 offensive), helping fuel Chemeketa's second-chance opportunities.

**Whatcom**
- **Isla Kelly:** 15 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists; hit 4 threes but needed 19 shots as Whatcom struggled inside the arc.
- **Mya Naylor:** 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting, 3-of-6 from deep.
- **Laylah Kesee:** 9 points, 4 assists, 4 steals; active defensively during Whatcom's mid-game push.

Whatcom showed fight after a brutal opening quarter and even won the third period convincingly, but Chemeketa's **early punch**, **rebounding dominance**, and **consistent free-throw production** were decisive in the 60–47 win.

Game notes: No technical fouls were assessed; attendance was 89. Officials: Ricky Roebke, Josh Davis, McKenzie Shreeve.

Pictured: Kaiya Woosley - 15     Photo Credit: The Athlete Studio     Instagram: @TheAthlete_Studio