Originally published December 18, 2009 at 10:07 PM | Page modified December 19, 2009 at 9:24 PM

Girls basketball: Seventh-ranked Issaquah stops Eastlake, 51-45

Blaire Brady, a 5-foot-8 guard, made a giant impact inside with 11 rebounds to help the No. 7 Issaquah Eagles beat Eastlake 51-45.

By Joshua Mayers

Special to The Seattle Times

SAMMAMISH — Blaire Brady is far from the tallest player on the court, but a small frame hardly keeps the Issaquah junior from battling in the post.

In fact, it's quite the opposite.

"I love it," said Brady of playing in the paint. "I don't mind when it gets physical."

Friday night at Eastlake, the 5-foot-8 guard fought and scrapped her way among the giants for nine points and 11 rebounds, including a crucial putback in the fourth quarter, to lead the seventh-ranked Eagles to a 51-45 KingCo 4A girls basketball win.

"I am so glad we have Blaire Brady on our team," said Issaquah coach Kathy Gibson. "She's probably not going to light it up, but that's because she's filling the stat sheet in every column, not just one."

Despite blowing a 14-point lead, the Eagles (5-0 overall, 4-0 KingCo) found ways to score late in the game. With 2:14 left, Brady converted a putback to give Issaquah a 43-40 lead, which it held for good.

"She's such a competitor and she sets the tone for our team," Gibson added.

Domi Mendezona scored eight of her team-high 13 points in the fourth quarter for the Eagles, making 6 of 7 free throws. Maddey Pflaumer added 12 points.

Brady said team chemistry helps the Eagles make up for a lack of experience. Issaquah has only one senior. And despite relying on its junior class, expectations haven't changed for a program that has earned five state trophies since 2003.

Naturally, Issaquah isn't surprised by its undefeated start.

"We set our standards high," Mendezona said.

Pressure defense gave Issaquah a 23-9 advantage in the first half, but the Wolves (3-3, 1-3) responded with an 11-0 run in the second quarter and later took the lead in the second half.

Idaho-bound Alyssa Charlston, a 6-foot-1 senior, scored 16 of her game-high 19 points after halftime and had 15 rebounds. Kendra Morrison added 10 points for Eastlake, but the Wolves made just one field goal in the fourth quarter.

"We battled back from that early hole and I'm proud of how the girls responded," said Eastlake coach Scott Sartorius. "That Issaquah pressure is fantastic."

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