It seems more traditional to present a player with the game ball at the end of a contest — preferably a victory.
However, Wednesday night, the Bainbridge Spartans basketball game against Eastside Catholic was stopped midway through the first quarter for a brief presentation ceremony.
Spartan senior Alice Russell came into the game just three points behind all-time Bainbridge High School girls basketball scoring leader Christina Marshall.
Marshall tallied 1,155 points from 1985-1989 in a career that included two state AA championships.
At the 6:12 mark of the first period, Russell converted on a basket-plus-free-throw opportunity to tie Marshall’s mark.
About a minute later, Russell scored the record breaker, and Bainbridge coach Penny Gienger immediately called for a timeout to highlight the moment for Russell.
The night was filled with fanfare as the Bainbridge team honored their six seniors and parents in a special pre-game ceremony. The Spartans defeated Eastside Catholic 59-44 to finish the season with a perfect, undefeated home record. The regular season wrapped up Friday night at Seattle Prep.
Metro tournament play opens for Bainbridge at home next Wednesday evening, as the Spartans host the number-two team coming out of the Sound Division of the league.
At press time, the final standings were undetermined, with Rainier Beach, Cleveland and Chief Sealth vying for the top positions. Wednesday’s game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
If Bainbridge wins that battle, the team would play for the Metro League title Friday night in the Ingraham High School gymnasium.
A loss on Wednesday puts Bainbridge in the game for third and fourth place in Metro.
Boys hoopsters stop Crusaders
A close first half turned into a rout Tuesday night as the Bainbridge Spartan boys defeated the Eastside Catholic Crusaders in Paski gymnasium, 78-58.
Bainbridge coach Scott Orness said he was pleased with the outcome of the game — and particularly of the Spartan play in the latter two periods of the game. Bainbridge outscored Eastside 51-36 in the second half.
“We played as individuals in the first half,” Orness said. “They were all trying to do it on their own.
“The second half, we came together,” he added. “When we play together, we’re pretty tough.”
Bainbridge wrapped up league play with a makeup game at Eastside Catholic on Thursday night and the league finale at Seattle Prep Friday night.
The Spartans will open Metro tournament play next Wednesday night — probably at Nathan Hale.
