By Dan Trujillo

The Washougal girls basketball team stands above the rest in the 2A Greater St. Helens League.

The Panthers slashed the Beavers 59-29 Tuesday, at Woodland High School. Beyonce Bea collected 26 points, 18 rebounds and blocked six shots in the blowout.

“From the start, it was really really good,” she said. “We came out on fire, got a huge lead and they weren’t able to come back. That’s what we want to do every game.”

Washougal jumped out to a 13-0 lead. Bea scored seven points, and Ashley Gibbons and McKinley Stotts added 3-pointers. The Beavers got on the board by making a foul shot, but then Stotts hit another three for the Panthers.

Bea delivered 10 more points in the second quarter. Tiana Barnett beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer to give Washougal a 36-15 lead at halftime.

Gibbons, Stotts and Maggie Hungerford finished the game with six points, Kiara Cross and Alexis Maniscalco added four points, Barnett netted three, and Skylar Bea and Grace Graham had two.

After the first run through, the Panthers are 6-0 in league and 11-3 overall. Washougal is also on a nine-game winning steak.

“We are taking it one game at a time,” said head coach Britney Knotts. “We can’t look past anybody because the league is so competitive.”

Washougal hosts R.A. Long Thursday and Ridgefield Monday, Jan. 22. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

“I’m excited for us to have another home game, because those home games are special to us and our community,” Knotts said.

After facing Hockinson, Mark Morris and Columbia River on the road, the Panthers wrap up league at home against Woodland Feb. 5.

Beyonce Bea said the key is to start fast like they did against Woodland Tuesday. And, to take the other team’s best shot.

“Everybody goes on a run. We just have to come back from it and keep fighting,” she said. “Starting off strong really helps. When we have a solid first half, that really gets us pumped.”

Photos by Dan Trujillo