Barlean Comes Back From Concussion To Lead Ferndale Past Gig Harbor

Hannah Barlean didn’t let a fall, let alone a concussion, keep her from leading the Ferndale girls to a resounding 65-50 victory over Gig Harbor at the Cloud 9 Sports Lynden Christmas Classic on Saturday, Dec. 28.

The Ferndale sophomore led her team with 15 points, going 12-for-12 from the line, and sinking two free throws after being slammed to the floor during a fastbreak lay-up attempt.

All of this came after spending the past two weeks on the sidelines following a concussion in the Golden Eagles’ game against Black Hills.

“Hannah is just a strong kid,” said Ferndale coach Terri Yost.  “She loves a fight.”

Check out the photos from the holiday tournament games involving the Blaine boys and girls, Lynden Christian boys and girls, and Meridian girls at the Whatcom Hoops Facebook page.

Yost, who subbed Barlean out after the fall, said she was worried at first about another concussion, but was happy to see that Barlean was alright. Barlean said she was happy just to be on the court again.

“(It’s) good to be back,” Barlean said. “I’m so proud of my team. … We were unselfish.”

That selflessness could be seen in the Golden Eagles’ point distribution, which included 12 each from Brianna Byrnes and Kaelee Bungard, and 10 from Jamie Johnson. 

Ferndale led by eight at halftime, but the Tides scored the first six points of the third quarter to narrow the lead to 32-30.

But a 22-point fourth quarter, including back-to-back 3s by Barlean and Jaclyn Denham, pushed Ferndale’s lead back to 53-41 with four minutes left.

The biggest difference was at the free throw line. An early string of fouls in the second half put both teams in the bonus, but Ferndale shot 75 percent from the line for the game (18 of 24) while the Tides made only 27 percent (5 of 18).

The Tides were led in scoring by guards Meghan Edwards and Baylee Young who put up 11 points each and forward Kiki Mamea, who added 10 points. 

Yost said the victory “feels amazing” and that her “girls played hard,” attributing their fourth-quarter run to the energy her team felt after the two 3-pointers. 

When asked what advice she gave her team before the game, Yost said she told them to “play together (and) rely on … teammates.” 

And that’s exactly what the Golden Eagles did. 

Ferndale will travel to Lakewood on Friday, Jan. 3, to battle the Cougars at 7:15 p.m.

Jim Carberry of Whatcom Hoops

Author
Jim Carberry is a former Bellingham Herald sports editor and author of several books on Whatcom County prep basketball. Follow him on Twitter @whatcomhoops and visit the Whatcom Hoops Facebook page.

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