The game took a couple of minutes before producing any scoring as the teams worked to adjust to see what they faced on the basketball court, but with an opening 3-point jumper, Seagull Karlee Freeman put Raymond out front and helped to keep them there for the entire game.
"The key to tonight's victory was just our effort," said Raymond HS Girls Basketball Head Coach Jon Schray. "We came out tonight and executed better than we have been. I think that was really the biggest thing."
Even with both sides turning the ball over more then they wanted to with tight calls from the referees, with traveling the call of the night as the zebra team kept a close watch on how the girls paced the floor.
"We wanted to make the most of our opportunities coming out in the second half," stated Pe Ell head coach Chris Phelps. "We did start that way, but we gave them (Raymond) too many opportunities and it snowballed from there."
Raymond was able to keep the Trojans to single digit time periods and put a lid on senior Alyssa Compton, who towered over the field and dominated the boards. Compton was able to find the basket for a total of 13 points for Pe Ell; but she was shut down in the second period.
"Raymond does very well in the transition game, they do make the most of their opportunities. They are a very efficient team," said coach Phelps.
The coaches did have words with the referees during the game each looking for fouls to be called that they believed the officiating crew was not paying attention to. Coach Schray wanted to have a foul reversed for a charging call, and coach Phelps just looking to get a call for his team.
It was a game of scramble, scramble, scramble, for the girls as plenty of action was taken to the floor trying to gain possession of loose balls and extra control of the game. Rebounding on both sides was not as clean as it has been during the regular season with players fighting for that extra opportunity to put back the shot and make a score. Raymond won the majority of the battles under the basket as Seagull Mikyala Collins sparked the team with her tireless effort of hustle and being in the right position for the team.
"Mikyala wanted to be the player that stepped up when the team needed her and that is just what she did tonight," noted Coach Schray.
Collins broke out of her average scoring game of just over two points and registered eight, putting her just behind Aiysha Garcia at 11 and Freeman at 24.
For the Trojans, supporting Compton was senior Lacey Joner at six and Dakota Brooks with five.
The win places the Lady Seagulls to the right of the District Bracket advancing into the second round of play scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14. The site is yet to be determined and as for the opponent, Napavine will take the court against them.