The Redmond High girls’ basketball magical run at the Disney Wild World of Sports Tournament in Orlando fizzled in Tuesday’s championship game as Colt’s Neck High beat the Mustangs, 68-55.
The Mustangs (3-3) won its first two tournament games in overtime, but fell short to Colt’s Neck of New Jersey, which led 36-25 at halftime.
Courtney Martin poured in a game-high 23 points, followed by Chandler Jones with seven. Colt’s Neck had four players score 14 or more points.
The Mustangs opened the tournament last Saturday with a 56-51 overtime win against Scotch Plains-Fanwood High of New Jersey. The game was a back-and-forth battle that ended in a 45-45 tie after regulation. In overtime, the Mustangs were able to hold the Raiders to just six points on the way to the overtime win.
Once again, Martin led all scorers with 18 and Jones added 14. Jordyn Ohrt chipped in with 10.
The Mustangs then advanced to the tournament semifinals against Central Bucks from Pennsylvania on Monday, and was able to pull off an incredible 60-56 overtime upset.
Trailing by 15 going into the final period, the focused and aggressive Mustangs turned the tide, outscoring their opponents 28-13 in the final eight minutes of play to knot the score at 52-52 at the end of regulation.
The Mustangs were able to carry their momentum forward during the overtime period to pull off the improbable win.
Jones led Redmond in scoring with a season-high 21 points, including shooting 5 of 10 from 3-point range. Martin scored 11 and point guard Alicia Valentine nearly recorded a triple double with nine points, nine assists and eight steals.
The Mustangs will begin 4A Kingco play on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at Woodinville.
Redmond boys go 1-2 in San Diego
The Redmond High boys basketball team settled for sixth place in the Surf N’ Slam High School Tournament in San Diego after falling to Mission Bay High, 54-44, on Tuesday.
The Mustangs dropped their tournament opener to Conestoga of Pennsylvania, 46-36, last Saturday before bouncing back with an 86-56 thrashing of Merrill West of California in their second game on Monday.
Their 1-2 record at the Surf N’ Slam Tournament put their overall record at 2-4 on the season.
Redmond resumes 4A Kingco League play on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at Woodinville.
Poplawski leads Owls in Oakland
Senior forward Danny Poplawski scored 23 points to lead the Overlake boys’ basketball team past St. Bernard’s of California, 53-46, on Monday as the Owls won the consolation bracket of the Head-Royce Roundball Classic in Oakland.
The consolation championship was a tight one in the first half, as the team traded shot for shot, with St. Bernard’s leading 23-22 at the half.
But the Owls dominated the second half, outscoring their opponents 31-23 for the victory. Chandler Hire and John Storlarczuk each scored eight for the Owls.
Poplawski scored 27 points to help the Owls beat Crystal Springs of California, 56-52, in the consolation semifinals on Monday. Overlake opened the tournament with a 56-46 loss to Lick-Wilmerding High of San Francisco last Saturday, but bounced back and won its two final games behind the sharp shooting of Poplawski.
With a 2-1 effort at the tournament, Overlake improved its overall record to 4-2 on the season.
The Owls resume Emerald City League play Wednesday, Jan. 7 at the Bush School.
