CHEHALIS, Wash. – Often intertwined in one another’s basketball-playing lives, the Roads took a special method this week.
They have been silent.
Why? It is because the three cousins are about to face one another for the primary time in a significant recreation.
The proficient 6-footers actually did not disappoint, however Julia Dalan and her fourth-ranked WF West Bearcats (2A) got here away with a 56-51 win at residence Friday night time in opposition to McKynnlie and Evanjillie Dalan led by Montesano, ranked No. in Class 1A.
McKynnlie, who lately signed with the College of Minnesota, led all scorers with 23 factors – 12 coming from a livid fourth quarter because the Bulldogs fought again from an early 18-point deficit.
Montesano could not get nearer than three factors as Ellie Clinton scored 9 factors within the final 4:46 for the Bearcats, together with 5 free throws with lower than a minute left.
However it was rising sophomore Julia Dalan who sparked the Bearcats’ quick begin, scoring 12 of her team-high 21 factors within the first half earlier than moving into foul hassle. He additionally added 9 rebounds, seven blocked photographs and two steals within the win.
Evanjillie Dalan added 10 factors for Montesano, and the ninth grader performed instantly in opposition to her cousin on each ends.
Photograph by Todd Milles
“It is simply a type of issues you need to perceive whenever you’re taking part in basketball, you are going to play with individuals you realize,” WF West ladies coach Kyle Karnofski stated. “On this one, you get to know them slightly extra – and see them at Christmas, Thanksgiving and birthdays.
“Each methods, all of them did job too. They got here out to him, which is what I anticipated them to do. And he went to them. It was superior to see.”
A short background:
* Julia is the youngest little one of Aaron and Gena (Petz) Dalan, who met on the College of Washington within the Nineties the place dad (Sequim graduate) performed soccer and mother was a standout on the ladies’s basketball workforce from Iowa.
* McKynnlie and Evanjillie are the oldest of 4 youngsters of Garrett (additionally a Sequim graduate) and Kellie (O’Neill) Dalan, who additionally performed for the UW ladies’s basketball workforce within the early 2000s after a profitable prep profession at Meadowdale Excessive College.
Cousins are tight. Often, they attend one another’s video games.
However this week, the informal chat disappeared.
“Not a lot,” stated Julia. “I used to be most likely speaking to my aunt (Kellie).”
At Montesano practices, gamers are solely allowed to confer with Julia by her jersey quantity on the scouting report – No. 44.
“Off the courtroom, we’re household,” McKynnlie stated. “However in courtroom, somebody has to maintain enterprise.”