After being sent to the losers bracket in the conference playoffs, the Pumas fought to survive against Granite Falls, to whom they lost twice earlier in the season. In a battle of the cats, the Tigers took down the Pumas 50-24, and sent UPrep home.
Regardless, it was a fantastic season in the eyes of coach Andrew Schneider, but there were several games that stood out.
One of those was the game against Vashon Island during the winter break tournament, a game the Pumas won 52-45.
“We only had six players, and we played a really tough Vashon Island team,” Schneider said. “Their record isn’t great, but they play in a really tough league, and I think that was our most complete game of the season.”
Some other critical games for Schneider were a playoff game against Bear Creek and a senior night game against Bear Creek.
“On senior night, it’s really fun to celebrate people who have not only given a lot to the UPrep basketball program, but who have also given a lot to the UPrep community,” Schneider said.
Something was off for UPrep early as the Pumas trailed 7-0 after the first quarter.
“We really wanted to do well, and when you want to do well you think too much, “ Schneider said. “We just needed to settle down.”
They continued to struggle until midway through the Third quarter when ninth grader Bersabel Bahru hit a pair of 3-pointers that gave the Pumas a 15-13 lead.
“When I hit the second one, I thought that we were really gonna win this game,” Bahru said.
South Whidbey went on several runs in the final quarter to make things tough, and the Pumas led by just 5 points at 33-28 with 18 seconds left. Coach Schneider called a timeout.
“I’m feeling pretty excited. I had faith in my team,” senior Skylar Coulter said regarding the game’s final seconds.
After a deep three by South Whidbey, UPrep led by just 2 points. However, they responded with a big free throw by senior Sinclaire Hicks to increase the lead. Then, with some good defense, the Pumas closed down senior night with a 34-31 win.
The Pumas ended the regular season 14-4.
Juniors Kori Billingslea and Sophia Spagnola did particularly well, as they both made it into the Coho All-Conference team.
UPrep opened the playoffs with a 42-33 win at home against Eastside Prep. The game was the first of the five-game, double-elimination playoff gauntlet.
A few days later, they faced Seattle Academy.
“A lot of people came, and the game meant a lot, so there was a lot of stress,” Bahru said.
Alas, the Pumas lost 51-39, which catapulted them into the loser’s bracket, but UPrep wasn’t done yet. Two days later, they faced Bear Creek for the third Pumadome playoff game in a week. The Pumas started strong, and shut out Bear Creek in the first quarter. They then carried that momentum further and were up 27-13 at half.
“The runs [Bear Creek] went on later remind you that no matter how much you get up by, you have to keep your foot on the gas and you can’t let up,” Schneider said.
However, before the pumas knew it, the game was knotted up at 35 with a minute left.
The Grizzlies wouldn’t score again as the Pumas took a 40-35 win with buckets from Kori Billingslea, Skylar Coulter and a free throw from Sophia Spagnola.
“Surviving an elimination game feels great,” Schneider said. “When you get a close one like this, it can help you in the next game because it keeps you focused.”
The Pumas went 16-6 overall.
“It was an awesome season,” Schneider said. “It’s one I’ll remember.”
