By NATHAN WHALEN

Special to The Record

South Whidbey’s girls basketball team finished their season by advancing to the consolation game in the Emerald Sound Conference tournament. Granite Falls defeated the Falcons Thursday 40-35.

“They played a great team. They just came up a bit short tonight,” coach Jason Wood said in an interview after the game.

The Falcons were down by seven at halftime and Wood said the third quarter saw back-and-forth between the two teams. “We come out strong in the second half. We just didn’t quite get there.”

Senior Juliette Wood scored 17 points during the game.

South Whidbey finished the tournament with two wins. They defeated Overlake 35-32 in the opening game of the Emerald Sound Conference tournament. After a loss 60-21 to Cedar Park Christian, the Falcons bounced back to defeated Eastside Prep 28-20.

The winner of Thursday’s game advances to a District 1 and District 2 crossover game Saturday against Lynden Christian for a spot in the state tournament.

South Whidbey’s girls basketball team finished the season 10-14 with a conference record of 7-8.

“The season has been fantastic. The girls have been working hard and getting the job done,” Wood said. In 2023-24, South Whidbey finished with an overall record of 3-17 and a conference record of 3-13.

South Whidbey’s boys basketball team also improved from the previous season. They finished 12-8, with a 6-0 conference record after finishing 2023-24 season with an overall record of 4-17. They lost their first game in the Emerald Sound Conference tournament.

South Whidbey had five seniors leading the girls basketball team – Wood, Maya Janes-Starkweather, Carlie and Baylie Kuschnereit, and Jane Hanes.

Coach Wood said junior Lyla Hutson had a strong second half of the season.

Wood noted the teams South Whidbey defeated during the tournament; the Falcons split during the regular season. He added tournament games were hard fought with the game against Overlake going into two overtimes.

“They did what they needed to do, and we got out with the win,” Coach Wood said. “Let’s play our game, let’s go have fun and make sure you keep your heads held high.”