Pirates up to ‘tough’ challenge

Davis’ Winckler notches double-double

YAKIMA — As recent history suggested, Daria Winckler knew she had some bumps and bruises coming Tuesday night.

Up against Eisenhower’s big frontline of 6-foot Jessica Bush and 6-2 Taylor Martin, Davis’ 5-10 senior needed a big effort if the diminutive Pirates had any chance of reversing a 15-point loss to the Cadets last month.

Winckler delivered.

Daria Winckler

With a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds, Winckler and her resilient teammates ended Eisenhower’s three-game win streak with a 43-36 victory before a loud crowd at Davis Gym.

“I know those girls pretty well and I knew it would be tough,” said Winckler, who had to measure her effort in the fourth quarter with four fouls. “Jessica asked me before the game, ‘Are you ready?’ It’s a fun rivalry between us.”

The Pirates scored seven of the game’s final nine points with their key sequence coming with 1:17 left.

Sophomore Taryn Cobane scored and was fouled on a driving scoop shot for a 40-36 lead. Her free throw missed the mark, but teammate Felicity Corbray hit the deck in a scramble and got the rebound.

She flipped the ball out to freshman Kaitlin Kaluzny, who hit a layin for a 42-36 margin.

“We knew we could play better than last time,” said Winckler, referring to Ike’s 52-37 win in the first meeting. “We’re shorter than just about everybody, but we’ve been outrebounding teams. It’s all hustle.”

Davis did indeed outboard the Cadets, 43-41. In addition to Winckler’s effort, Corbray and Kaluzny — who stand 5-7 and 5-4, respectively — snarred eight rebounds each.

Davis’ other advantage came from the perimeter, where the Pirates outscored Ike 12-0 from 3-point range. Raini Weaver made two of the treys.

Bush was nearly unstoppable for the Cadets with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Her 3-point play with 3:01 left pulled Ike within 36-34. But in the final three minutes Davis held the Cadets to one field goal.

Davis (1-0, 4-3) returns to CBBN Columbia Division play on Friday with a home game against Wenatchee. Eisenhower (0-1, 4-5) has a Cascade Division home game Friday against Walla Walla.

Click here for box score.