Calm, cool, collected.
When things got tight Tuesday night, Eastlake reached down and displayed its new-found confidence, beating Bothell 71-55.
“They’ve matured,” head coach Pat Bangasser said, referring back to last season’s nine losses by five points or less. “We did a lot of work this summer. We continually say ‘Put that close win in your memory bank, whether it’s a summer game, a fall game, or a early in the season.'”
Up by as many as 17 points in the first half, the Wolves allowed Cougars to inch within three points on three separate occasions in the third quarter.
But Eastlake never panicked.
After Bothell’s David Kirk bumped the score to 45-42 with 2:47 left in the third, the Wolves answered with 9-4 run to close the quarter.
The Cougars provided one last push, pulling to within five, 56-51, with 6:13 remaining in the game.
But as he did all night, Conner Iraola slammed the door on Bothell. The 6-foot guard calmly answered with a pair of free throws, and on the next trip down the floor, hit his sixth three-pointer of the night pushing the lead back to double-digits.
Iraola had a career-best 26 points Tuesday, going 8-for-13 from the field, and 6-for-11 from behind the three-point line. His previous best was 13 points.
“I felt good, my shot was dropping,” the soft-spoken junior said.
Iraola, who got his first start of the season, quietly took care of business Tuesday, showing no emotion after his made baskets. According to his coach, the quiet demeanor isn’t uncommon.
“Sometimes we say ‘Turn it up a notch’ in practices, especially,” Bangasser said, smiling. “He’s starting to do that. People now have to look out for him.”
Senior guard Dillon Pericin added 12 points, and several key assists, while junior Colin Nelson had eight points. All eight Eastlake players who took the floor scored, and no player had less than four points.
“I think we have a lot of depth this year,” Pericin said. “Everyone’s just coming in and playing their (butts) off, it’s great.
Eastlake, which won its third straight game, improved to 3-2 in KingCo and 6-3 overall. The Wolves won two straight in the San Diego Surf ‘N Slam tournament.
The key to early-season success?
“All the guys, all of us teammates, we all get along,” Iraola said.
Pericin agreed, noting the California tournament brought the team closer together.
“We’re staying positive and everything — we’re doing well,” he said. “Hopefully we build off of everything we do.”
Eastlake begins a tough stretch Friday night at Garfield (6-2), followed by a road game at Lake Washington (7-2), then a contest at rival Redmond (3-6).
“It’s anybody’s race right now,” Bangasser said.
Issaquah earns first league win
Issaquah earned its first league victory Tuesday night, beating Roosevelt 57-39.
The Eagles led just 37-34 going into the final quarter, before out-scoring the Roughriders 20-5 in the final frame.
Nick Price scored a season-high 21 points for Issaquah, which moved to 1-4 in league and 4-5 overall. Joe Evans and Nik Landdeck added 12 points apiece.
Skyline edges Lake Washington
Skyline won a back-and-forth battle with Lake Washington Tuesday night, 54-53.
Trailing by two, 44-42 headed into the fourth quarter, the Spartans rallied in the fourth for the victory.
Cory Hutsen led Skyline with 16 points. Kasen Williams added 14 and Connor Gacek had 12. Skyline improved to 3-1 in league and 7-1 overall.
