Monarchs give Panthers nightmares

Mark Morris slipped away from the Washougal High School girls basketball team Wednesday, in Longview.

The Panthers overcame three massive deficits only to run out of time. Lindsey Thomas nailed a 3-pointer to bring Washougal within two points with four seconds left, but the Panthers didn’t have any more time outs left to stop the clock. The Monarchs held on for a 56-54 victory.

“It’s the nightmare that won’t leave this team alone,” said Washougal head coach Brian Oberg. “Teams in this league aren’t going to roll over. If we don’t bring it every night, we will continue to see heartbreaking losses like this.”

Beyonce Bea brought the Panthers back from the brink a few times. She scored 22 points, grabbed eight rebounds and made some game-changing 3-pointers. Alyssa Blankenship netted 13 of her 17 points in the second half, including eight in the fourth quarter.

Washougal returned home and bounced back in a big way Friday, by beating Ridgefield 69-54. RaeAnn Allen racked up 24 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Blankenship added 16 points and Bea had 13. The Panthers put a stamp on this game with a 21-9 run in the third quarter.

The Washougal girls (11-3, 5-1) remain on top of the 2A Greater St. Helens League standings by one game over Mark Morris. The Panthers play at Hudson’s Bay Friday and host R.A. Long Monday. The rematch between Mark Morris is Thursday, Feb. 4, at Washougal High School.

Like a bad dream, the Mark Morris boys basketball team drained 3-pointer after 3-pointer to burry Washougal 67-42 in a battle for first place in league Wednesday, at Washougal High School.

Collin Prangley collected 17 points for the Panthers. Daniel Davis and Matt Rotundo both scored seven.

Washougal couldn’t right the ship at Ridgefield Friday, and lost 51-44. Prangley finished with 16 points, Curtis Crosby netted nine, Davis had seven and Rotundo scored six.

The 7-7 Panthers host Hudson’s Bay Thursday.