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Wilson (6-1), the state’s sixth-ranked team, jumped out to a 15-2 lead and never let off the pedal. The pressing, ballhawking Rams filled the Capital passing lanes, dominated the boards and allowed the Cougars shooters precious few looks at the basket.
Capital had Wilson’s full attention, partly based on a Cougars win last season over the Rams.
“Last year they kind of stung us,” Wilson coach Michelle Birge said. “You can’t take a night off against any opponent.”
For Capital (1-10), every game is a growing experience.
“We learned what we really need to work on,” Capital coach Colleen Wells said. “We have been practicing hard, but not with as much physical pressure as we saw from Wilson tonight.”
Tia Briggs, Wilson’s 6-foot-1 junior center, got the Rams off early with 12 of her game-high 19 points in the first half, which ended with Wilson holding a 54-13 lead. The Rams outscored the Cougars 30-2 in the second quarter.
Briggs had plenty of offensive support. Senior forward Nina Caldwell had 13 of her 16 points in the first half, Bethany Montgomery finished with 12 points, and Kaysha Fox and Carsen Stanley added eight apiece.
Capital was led by the six points of senior post and three-year starter Kendel Wilkerson, whose lower leg injury midway through the second quarter kept her out the rest of the game and forced a “mental adjustment” on the otherwise inexperienced Cougars.
“They’ve never played without Kendel,” said Wells, who had six seniors graduate from last season’s playoff team.
“This one is a particularly tough building year,” Wells said, “the toughest of all my years of coaching.”
Wilson next visits Yelm on Jan. 11 for what shapes up as an important matchup in the still-young Narrows League season. The Tornadoes improved to 8-2 after a Friday night victory over Lincoln.
“Every game is important,” said Birge, who recalled having to come from 19 points down before defeating Yelm in one game last season.
“Wilson is a good team, very well-prepared,” said Wells, whose team hosts Timberline on Wednesday. “I would be surprised if they’re not in the top four at the state tournament. I love the way they play, in fact.”
