The Bellevue football team, winners of six of the last eight 3A state titles, continues to look beyond Washington's borders for competition.

Two weeks ago, it was announced that the Wolverines would travel to Texas to face two-time defending 5A state champion Katy High School on Sept. 12.

Now, the Wolverines are trying to line up games against Hoover (Ala.) High School and Jenks (Okla.) High School for the 2010 and 2011 CBA Football Classic. Hoover -- you might recognize the name from the MTV reality series Two-a-Days -- would travel to Washington in 2010.

Bellevue will meet Sacramento Grant High School in the 2009 CBA Football Classic on Sept. 19 at Seattle's Memorial Stadium.

Bellevue is no stranger to facing out-of-state elite teams. The Wolverines exploded onto the national football scene in 2004 when they ended Concord (Calif.) De La Salle's record 151-game winning streak at Qwest Field. Bellevue followed that game with a win over highly-regarded Long Beach Poly in 2005.

Avery Bradley showed a national television audience on Monday night what we in the South Sound have known for a few years -- the kid can dunk.

Bradley won the McDonald's All-American game slam dunk contest on Monday. I haven't seen any clips of his dunks online -- I'll post them here when I do -- but you can catch it tonight (Monday) at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

Here's the Associated Press story on the dunk contest:

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Texas-bound guard Avery Bradley won the McDonald's All-American slam dunk contest.

Ryan Kelly and Skylar Diggins won the 3-point shootout while Dante Taylor and China Crosby took the skills competition.

Bradley defeated Mason Plumlee and Derrick Favors in the finals.

Bradley earned a perfect score in the first round with two impressive dunks. On his first dunk he was on the baseline, caught the ball off the bounce, and did an impressive double-pump reverse dunk. On his second dunk he caught it off the bounce again and did a one-handed windmill.

"I talked to my friends to find out what dunks I was going to do," Bradley said. "I made it and I knew those dunks were going to give me perfect scores."

His best dunk in the final was when he threw it off the backboard, caught it in mid-air, and did another windmill.

Favors and Plumlee each recorded perfect scores on dunks in the first round, but were unable to put together a top score in the finals to pass Bradley.

But Plumlee tried as he picked up three balls and twice attempted to dunk all three at the same time.

"I didn't know what to think, but if he would have made it, he would have won it," Bradley said.

USC's Demar DeRozan won last year's dunk contest. Other former winners include LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter.

Former NBA star Dominique Wilkins, NFL stars Ed Reed, Shawne Merriman and Steve Smith as well as Grammy-Award winning singer Jon Secada were among the judges in the dunk contest.

Kelly, a 6-foot-10 shooter from Raleigh, N.C. who is headed to Duke, defeated Tommy Mason-Griffin 20-18 in the finals.

Diggins, bound for Notre Dame, defeated TaShauna Rodgers in the finals on the girls side.

"Someone said just shoot it and have fun with it," Diggins said.

Taylor defeated Milton Jennings in the finals of the skills competition and Crosby defeated Dara Taylor.

"It's big for me because I'm a big man and I don't really do guard stuff like that," said the 6-foot-9 Taylor.

The McDonald's All-American games are on Wednesday.

The national accolades keep on coming for Avery Bradley, Abdul Gaddy, Peyton Siva and Joshua Smith. All four were named to the Parade Magazine All-American teams.

Bradley, a former Bellarmine Prep standout who transferred in August to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., was a first-team selection. Bradley has signed to play at Texas.

Gaddy, who will play at Washington, and Smith, a junior forward with plenty of suitors, made the second team and Louisville-bound Siva is on the third team.

Bradley, Gaddy and Siva will play in the McDonald's All-American game on Wednesday at Miami. The game will be televised on ESPN.

The April 5 issue of Parade Magazine -- it's included in the Sunday edition of The News Tribune -- will feature the All-American teams.

Puyallup center Killian Larson and Federal Way point guard Michael Hale III will suit up for Team Washington against Team Oregon in the Northwest Shootout.

The senior all-star game is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 18 at the Chiles Center in Portland, Oregon. The girls game will be played at 4 p.m.

Here's the complete boys roster:

G Freddy Wilson, Franklin
G Chris Holmes, Franklin
C Steven Bjornstad, Columbia River
W Anthony Brown, G Shadle Park
C Killian Larson, Puyallup
PG Michael Hale III, Federal Way
F Tyler Elmo, Eisenhower
G Joseph Vance, Mountain View
F Sean Stickney, Lake Stevens
F Alex Schrempf, Bellevue

Bonney Lake tennis player Jessica Roller appears to be performing a magic trick with the tennis ball on her fingertip during a match against Yelm Thursday, March 26, 2009. Click here to see a gallery of the tennis match photos with Yelm.

Prep Zone

Thursday’s highlights

Auburn Riverside’s Amanda Fitzsimmons no-hit Kentridge, striking out 13 in the Ravens’ 3-0 win over the Chargers. Kentridge pitcher Kelli Siguro struck out 12 in a losing effort.

Heidi Wells struck out 14, leading Stadium to a 1-0 win at Bellarmine Prep.

Kylie McChesney popped a home run and Kelsey Robinson tallied 3 RBI, helping Puyallup beat Graham-Kapowsin, 7-2.

Alexa Derrick drove in the game-winning run, struck out nine and earned the victory for Emerald Ridge, leading the Jaguars to a 1-0 win over Rogers.

Eatonville’s Courtney Fairhart set a school record when she threw the discus 118 feet, 11 inches. She also won the shot put and javelin, helping the Cruisers beat Seattle Christian and Cascade Christian in the girls track meet.

Tahoma’s Jerad Casper crushed a grand slam and Kyle Conwell hit a home run as Tahoma thumped Auburn Riverside, 15-1.

Four Bellarmine Prep pitchers combined to shut out Lincoln, 19-0, in a five-inning baseball game. Gavin Hite went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI for the Lions.

Carson Wolbert struck out four, earned the win and drove in a run, leading Todd Beamer to a 3-2 victory over Emerald Ridge. Zach Cloe fanned six for the Jaguars.

Foss scored two runs in the seventh inning to tie the score and added four more in the eighth to beat Mount Tahoma 10-6 in extra innings. Brendan Bartanen scored three runs for the Falcons.

White River’s Michael Anastasi and Dillon Meyers each hit home runs in the Hornets’ 18-7 win at Peninsula.

Scott Hanson and Ryan Rash each scored two goals as Bellarmine Prep beat Lincoln, 4-0.

Rosters for the WIBCA "Queens of the Hardwood" All-State games have been released. Two games will be played Saturday at Bellevue Christian High School.

At 3 p.m., players from 1B, 2B, 1A and 2A will play each other in a "State vs. City" contest. At 5 p.m., Class 4A will face Class 3A.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. Children under 10 are admitted free.

State Team
Coach: Corey Baerlocher, Colfax
Players: Brandi Benner, Lynden; Shannon Brandsma, Lynden Christian; Melissa Collier, Seattle Christian; Rosebud Guthrie, Zillah; Terra Oldham, Bellevue Christian; Erika Ramstead, Nooksack Valley; Michelle Teng, Bellevue Christian; Danielle Swain, Black Hills; Jill Toronchuck, Lynden; Bayli Ziegler, Zillah.

City Team
Coach: Rob Adams, Lynden
Players: Daron Dean, Hockinson; Courtney Druffel, Colton; Lacie French, Prosser; Nicola Follis, Squalicum; Casey Kelleher, Ellensburg; Kristen Lantau, Napavine; Lindsey Newman, South Whidbey; Alyssa Smith, Archbishop Murphy; Sarah Stewart, Burlington Edison.

3A Team
Coach: Danny Graham, Federal Way
Players: Daidra Brown, Kennedy; Brittany Gray, Bainbridge; Ashley Honeycutt, Ferndale; Carol Howard, Franklin; Jocelyn Jones, Franklin; Mara Koplitz, Enumclaw; Marcisa McMillan, Lindbergh; Morgan Merriman, Lakeside; Caitie Richards, Mount Si; Cheyenne Walker, Mt. Vernon; Kendall Williams, White River.

4A Team
Coach: Sandy Schneider, Lakeside
Players: Katie Benson, Snohomish; Ali Campbell, Graham-Kapowsin; Jacqie Evenson, Federal Way; Emily Guthrie, Snohomish; Courtney Martin, Redmond; Erin Nicol, Issaquah; Julia Nix, Rogers; Lauren Picha, Puyallup; Alexa Smith, Issaquah; Katie Gross, Cascade.

Allonzo Trier, a sixth-grader at Sequoyah Middle School in Federal Way, was featured in The New York Times Magazine this week.

Credit: Lauren Greenfield, for The New York Times

Trier is ranked No. 1 in his class, according to Clark Francis at HoopScoopOnline.com. This story is about much more than how Trier stacks up against other basketball players. It's a long piece, but describes the path Trier is on. Here's one paragraph from Michael Sokolove's story:

Trier has his own line of clothing emblazoned with his signature and personal motto: “When the lights come on, it’s time to perform.” His basketball socks, which also come gratis, are marked with either his nickname, Zo, or his area code, 206. He’s expecting a shipment of Under Armour gear soon, thanks to Brandon Jennings, last year’s top high-school point guard and now a highly paid pro in Italy. He is flown around the country by A.A.U. teams that want him to play for them in tournaments — and by basketball promoters who use him to add luster to their events. A lawyer in Seattle arranged for Trier’s private-school tuition and academic tutoring to be paid for by the charitable foundation of an N.B.A. player, and the lawyer also procured free dental care for Trier.

The story isn't all about Trier. It looks at the men who run summer basketball camps, AAU coaches, college coaches and parents of these boys.

It's well worth 10 minutes of your time.

After 20 straight days of work without a day off, I took some time off last week to visit some family on the East Coast. This blog has been stagnant since then, so we've got some catching up to.

We've got spring sports previews in the works, but first I want to touch on some things that deserve a mention:

-- Franklin point guard Peyton Siva has been named the Gatorade State Player of the Year. Bellarmine Prep's Abdul Gaddy earned the honor last year. Both will play in the McDonald's All-American in April at Miami.

-- High school coaching legend Ed Pepple has retired. Pepple coached at Mercer Island for 42 seasons, compiling a record of 952-302 and winning four state titles.

-- Auburn Riverside is searching for a new girls basketball head coach. When Ed Rosin was hired in September, it was on an interim basis, AR athletic director Doug Aubert said. The Ravens took fourth place at the Class 4A state tournament after former coach Adam Barrett led the team to back-to-back 3A titles.

"I thought (Rosin) did a wonderful job," Aubert said. "It's always tough to be the guy that replaces the guy."

I haven't been able to speak yet with Rosin to ask if he'll apply for the position. Aubert said he wants to have a coach in place by the end of April.

Here are the rosters for the 3A/4A Washington State Football Coaches Association All-State game. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. June 27 at Everett'S Memorial Stadium.

EAST

QB/DB Josh Loera, Moses Lake
DB/WR Stan Langlow, Curtis
LB/RB Brandon James, Peninsula
WR/DB Clayton Homme, Southridge
LB/RB Dakoda Winsor, Hanford
QB Kevin Stringer, North Kitsap
WR/DB Justin Veltung, Puyallup
QB/DB Luke Schindele, Bellarmine Prep
QB Blake Bledsoe, Central Valley
R/DB Vaugh Kapiko, Lewis & Clark
WR/DB Aaron Roberts, Ferris
RB/DB Nick Bellomy, East Valley
DB/WR Rob Caballero, Columbia River
DB/RB Ronald Baines, Mount Tahoma
WR/DB Ashton Clark, Heritage
DB/WR Tanner Davis, Gig Harbor
LB/RB Howard McDonald, Central Kitsap
RB/DB Drew Parsons, Olympia
LB/TE Sean Barber, Puyallup
DL/OL Jeremy Girod, Fort Vancouver
OL/DL Steve Forgette, Heritage
OL/DL Briggs Helton, Wenatchee
LB Connor Elder, Enumclaw
DL/OL Ashton Miller, Evergreen (Vancouver)
OL/LB Nate Guthrie, East Valley
DL/OL Tuiasosopo Niusulu, Lakes
OL/DL Ryan Craig, Hanford
C/DL Bobby Nix, Bonney Lake
DL/OL Damien Anderson, Timberline
OL/DL Grant Cisneros, Sumner
WR/DB Guy Varsek, Camas
DE/TE Chris Mastin, Lewis & Clark
OL/DE Elliott Bosch, Ferris

Head coach: Greg Kittrell, Moses Lake. Assistants: Scott Devereaux, Wenatchee; Todd Griffith, Moses Lakes; Mike Hymes, Moses Lake; Jim Sharkey, Ferris.

WEST

RB/DB Taylor Cox, Jackson
QB/DB Jacob Allie, Lindbergh
DB/WR Kurt Stottlemyer, Bothell
WR/DB Jake Frauenholtz, Everett
RB/DB Jeff Gouveia, Auburn
RB/LB Patrick Ottorbech, Bothell
RB/DB T.J. Lee, West Seattle
DB/WR Nasser Kyobe, Meadowdale
QB/DB Nick Baker, Lake Stevens
DE/RB Jaren Saga, Mariner
WR/DB Aaron Grymes, West Seattle
WR/DB Spencer Hannah, Ferndale
RB/DB David Andre, Everett
DB/WR Marion Bactol, Eastside Catholic
LB/RB Ryan Sterley, Marysville-Pilchuck
LB/RB Sean Snead, Mount Si
OL/DL Olo'ofa Ta'a, Rainier Beach
LB/RB Paul Ena, Inglemoor
RB/DB Peter Nyguyen, Bellevue
LB/TE A.J. Carroll, Meadowdale
LB/OL Orin Paul, Ferndale
OL/LB Andru Pulu, Federal Way
OL/DE Zack Nielsen, Lindbergh
DL/OL Jerod Baker, Arlington
OL/LB Michael Stone, Marysville-Pilchuck
C/DL Drew Norris, Bellevue
OL/DL Hunter Blackmore, Kentwood
OL/DL Courtney Sanders, Hazen
OL/DL Quentin Hooks, West Seattle
C/DL Dillon Reagan, Issaquah
TE/LB Alex Hiebert, Mount Si
OL/DL Grant Engel, Skyline
TE/DE Sean Stuby, Issaquah

Head coach: John Ondriezek, Mariner. Assistants: Dick Abrams, Stanwood; Don Harney, Mariner; John Meagher, Federal Way; Tom Myhre, Mariner.

Announces 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees

Renton will serve as host site for luncheon

The following people will be inducted into the WIAA Hall of Fame on April 15 at the Spirit of Washington Events Center in Renton.

Athletes
John Olerud
Chris Henderson
Lisa Raschkow Johnson

Fine Arts
Mike Burton

Coaches
Bill Harris
Curt DeHaan

Officials
Dick Eglet
Mike Burton

Administrators
Alli Bennett

Click below to read a biography on each inductee.

=> Read more!

Here are The News Tribune's all-state boys and girls basketball teams.

BOYS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Abdul Gaddy, PG, 6-3, Sr., Bellarmine Prep
What more can we say about Gaddy? The two-time TNT All-Area Player of the Year is as pure a point guard as you’ll find. A smooth passer with an eye for the open teammate, Gaddy can also score in bunches. Before he reports to the University of Washington, Gaddy will play in the McDonald’s All-American game and the Nike Hoops Summit.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Jason Kerr, Franklin
Molded the Quakers into an unselfish, 3A state championship-winning bunch

FIRST TEAM

Steven Bjornstad, C, 6-10, Sr., Columbia River
Nevada-bound big man led his school to its first state final

Anthony Brown, W, 6-5, Sr., Shadle Park
Athletic shooter takes his big-time talent to Washington State

Peyton Siva, PG, 6-1, Sr., Franklin
McDonald’s All-American won 3A title; will play at Louisville

Joshua Smith, F, 6-9, Jr., Kentwood
The SPSL North MVP has his choice of colleges to attend

Tony Wroten, G, 6-5, Soph., Garfield
Super-talented 15-year-old led the Bulldogs to the 4A finals

SECOND TEAM
Gary Bell, G, 6-1, Soph., Kentridge
Cole Dickerson, F, 6-7, Jr., Federal Way
John Gage, C, 6-10, Jr., Vashon
Joe Harris, G, 6-5, Jr., Chelan
Marcus Tibbs, G, 6-1, Sr., Decatur

(You don't know who Joe Harris is? Gonzaga, Washington, Washington State and other schools do. The point guard with a 6-foot-5 frame is drawing college coaches to the summer vacation town in the dead of winter. Harris averaged 24.7 ppg, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks and hit 41 percent of his 3-point attempts.)

GIRLS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Lindsey Moore, G, 5-10, Sr., Kentwood
The Gatorade State Player of the Year is a complete player. Capable of averaging 30 points per game, she unselfishly looked for teammates. The result was a 28-1 season and the Class 4A state championship this season. The two-time SPSL North MVP will play at the University of Nebraska.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Tom Mummert, Kennedy
With targets on their backs, he guided the Lancers to an undefeated season

FIRST TEAM

Carly Noyes, C, 6-5, Sr., Moses Lake
Two-time all-state selection will play at Washington State

Brittany Gray, F, 5-11, Sr., Bainbridge
She’ll join older brother Steven at Gonzaga after scoring 17.8 ppg

Katie Benson, F, 6-1, Sr., Snohomish
Led Panthers to 4A title game; has signed with Seattle Pacific

Jeneva Anderson, F, 6-0, Sr., Lewis & Clark
After winning two state titles, Anderson will play at Washington

Daidra Brown, G, 5-7, Sr., Kennedy
Southern Louisiana-signee can score, rebound, pass and steal

SECOND TEAM
Sarah Kliewer, F, 6-1, Sr., Lewis & Clark
Erin Feeney, G, 5-8, Jr., Jackson
Marcissa McMillan, C, 6-2, Sr., Lindbergh
Erika Johnson, G, 6-1, Soph., Holy Names
Kelsey Patrick, G, 6-0, Sr., Kamiak

I just heard from Lincoln athletic director Char Davenport that Mike Merrill will be the Abes football coach in the fall.

Merrill has a lengthy resume, with head coaching stints at Mount Rainer (three seasons), Lake Washington (one season), Auburn Riverside (five seasons). Recently, Merrill has been an assistant coach and teacher at Clover Park. He also has been an assistant at South Kitsap.

In 2006, Merrill led Lake Washington to the round-of-32 postseason. When he was at Mount Rainier, he took the Rames to the playoffs in 2003, 2004 and 2005. He has twice been named a league's coach of the year. First in 1997 when he was the SPSL Coach of the Year when he was at Auburn Riverside and again in 2003 when he was the Seamount Coach of the Year.

Davenport said Merrill will teach at Lincoln.

PLU student videographer Jon Wedell was at last night's finals and posted these highlights

The Kennedy Lancers took on the Shadle Park Highlanders at the Tacoma Dome.

The Columbia River Chieftains squared-off against the Franklin Quakers in the State Championship game at the Tacoma Dome.

MVP: Peyton Siva, Franklin

First Team
Steven Bjornstad, Columbia River
Alex Schrempf, Bellevue
Vonchae Richardson, Franklin
Patrick Nyeko, Seattle Prep

Second Team
Aaron Bright, Bellevue
Kyle Thurston, Columbia River
Sean Jones, O’Dea
Chris Holmes, Franklin
Roger O’Neill, Meadowdale

As the Highlanders closed in one final time, Kennedy turned to its star one more time in a critical situation.

And junior Yaz Fuller was there to meet the challenge.

With the Lancers leading, 46-43, and with the shot clock running down, Fuller strode to her left, galloped up the side and banked in a running 4-footer to put this close game to rest.

Kennedy led 42-32 early in the fourth quarter, but as they did all game long, the Highlands took each glancing blow, and kept coming – even after injuries to guard Kendra Knutsen (knee) and Aleisha Hathaway (elbow).

Hathaway returned, hit a FT to cut it to 46-43 with 59.4 seconds to go, setting up Fuller's clutch shot.

The Spokane school came roaring out of the locker room, starting on a 7-0 run to tie it at 29 with 4:36 to go. Kennedy called timeout, and the Highlanders bench erupted as if it had just clinched the title.

Not so fast.

Kennedy coach Tom Mummert must have reminded his players to work the ball around, and they did – finally. Guard Aminah Williams got more touches inside, and she responded with two quick baskets. She's been the game's most efficient performer (6-of-8 FGs).

And letting the clock run out on the quarter, Yaz Fuller, who's had her good and bad moments in this game, drained a long 3-pointer from the top of the arc right before the buzzer.

MVP
Yaz Fuller, Kennedy

First Team
Daidra Brown, Kennedy
Bianca Pope, Shadle Park
Erika Johnson, Holy Names
Carol Howard, Franklin

Second Team
Lindsey Niemeier, Shadle Park
Claire Conricode, Holy Names
Laura Hughes, Hanford
Morgan Merriman, Lakeside
Heather Hitch, Enumclaw

The Lancers have gotten too much in one-on-one mode with Yaz Fuller, Jasmine Lemon and Daidra Brown. At times, it's worked – they shot eight FTs in the second quarter. It might not be a wise precedent if the game tightens up.

Kennedy took a 26-17 lead wtih 2:45 to go in the half on Fuller's layin when she got back behind the Highlanders' defense in transition. Shadle Park crept back in the final two minutes with back-to-back buckets – the last coming on Bianca Pope's 8-footer in the paint at the 1:05 mark to cut it to 26-22, but the Lancers had a three-point possession 21 seconds later.

BOXSCORE
Kennedy – Lemon 1-4 0-0 2, Lockart 0-0 0-0 0, Fuller 4-12 3-4 13, Brown 2-4 1-4 5, Goins 0-0 0-0 0, Madison 0-0 1-2 1, Williams 4-5 0-0 8. Totals: 11-25 5-10 29.
Shadle Park – Sleizer 0-0 0-0 0, Niemeier 1-3 0-0 2, Dezellem 0-1 1-2 1, Chandler 1-3 0-0 2, Pope 3-7 0-2 6, Carlton 1-4 1-2 4, Hathaway 1-5 0-0 3, Knutsen 2-4 0-0 4. Totals: 9-27 2-6 22.

For the first part of the quarter, Shadle Park defended Kennedy in a 2-3 zone. It didn't work, mainly for the two reasons zone defenses don't – the Highlanders couldn't keep Lancers' forward Aminah Williams out of the middle. And they couldn't keep Kennedy from getting second chances.

Williams scored six points in the first 3:40. Two baskets came from putbacks, and the other came from finding a middle crease and canning an 8-footer in the lane.

Yaz Fuller has a pair of long-distance 3-pointers, and leads all scorers with eight points.

Shadle Park closed by scoring on four of its final five possessions.

Zach Bjork’s game-winning layin with 11 seconds left in overtime catapulted the Chieftains to the state title game for the first time in school history.

“I can’t even explain it,” guard Kyle Thurston said. “This is huge for our school.”

Columbia River (22-6) almost didn’t make it. The Chieftains blew a 10-point lead with 59 seconds remaining in regulation. Missed free throws – Columbia River went 2 for 10 from the line during a two-minute stretch late in the fourth quarter – and turnovers left the door open for Bellevue (25-3).

Wolverines guard Aaron Bright buried two 3-pointers before Matt Olson drilled a 3-pointer from the corner with 3 seconds left that tied the score at 44-all and sent the game into overtime.

The Chieftains’ 6-foot-10 center Steven Bjornstad scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Thurston finished with 18 points. Bright led Bellevue with 21 points and forward Alex Schrempf had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The Wolverines had a chance to win, but Bright’s 3-point shot missed its mark and Schrempf’s tip-in attempt clanged off the rim at the buzzer.

Bellevue will play Meadowdale for third place at 3:30 p.m.

It's now down to two teams for the Class 3A state girls basketball championship.

No. 1 Kennedy will play No. 3 Shadle Park at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Tacoma Dome.

For the Lancers, it's been a long ride since their loss at the hands of Auburn Riverside in the 3A title game a year ago. If they win Saturday, it will mark the first time since 2000 that a school lost in the finals the previous year, only to return to win it the next season (Meadowdale won it in 2000 after losing to Bainbridge in 1999).

Shadle Park has to show the same composure and patience it did against a more athletic Holy Names Academy squad in its semifinal. Thing is, Kennedy has three great guards in Jasmine Lemon, Yaz Fuller and Daidra Brown, and Holy Names had one (Erika Johnson).

Those guards were superb against Meadowdale. Fuller led all scorers with 19, 14 coming in the third quarter. Brown had 10, and Lemon added six points.

It's now down to two teams for the Class 3A state girls basketball championship.

No. 1 Kennedy will play No. 3 Shadle Park at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Tacoma Dome.

For the Lancers, it's been a long ride since their loss at the hands of Auburn Riverside in the 3A title game a year ago. If they win Saturday, it will mark the first time since 2000 that a school lost in the finals the previous year, only to return to win it the next season (Meadowdale won it in 2000 after losing to Bainbridge in 1999).

Shadle Park has to show the same composure and patience it did against a more athletic Holy Names Academy squad in its semifinal. Thing is, Kennedy has three great guards in Jasmine Lemon, Yaz Fuller and Daidra Brown, and Holy Names had one (Erika Johnson).

A 7-2 run by the Mavericks, and it appeared they were slowing pulling back into this game, trailing 31-20 with 4:05 to go.

Then Yaz Fuller and her Kennedy teammates woke up.

The Lancers responded with a 10-0 spurt, capped by two Fuller 3-pointers from the corner. She added another long-range bomb with one minute remaining in the quarter.

Looks like Kennedy will get back to the title game, and Shadle Park coach Chad Dezellem had this to say about his Highlanders matching up with a quicker Lancers squad.

"Their athleticism will be a challenge for us," Dezellem said. "We have to be poised, be patient and they'll make some mistakes."

Franklin seniors Peyton Siva and Chris Holmes were being interviewed in the bowels of the Tacoma Dome when the Shadle Park girls basketball team came into sight.

Piercing screams echoed down the long hallway and Siva and Holmes joined in the celebration, hollering with the Highlanders over their semifinal victory.
There was no such celebration for the Quakers on Friday night.

Oh, top-ranked Franklin had won, of course. The Quakers steamrolled No. 9 Meadowdale, 58-37, in the semifinals. But one of the nation’s top teams doesn’t erupt in jubilation for reaching the state title game.

“There’s nothing to be excited about yet,” Holmes said.

Franklin (27-1) will meet Columbia River for the title tonight at 8:30.

The Quakers’ third-quarter explosion vaulted them into the finals for the sixth time in school history.

Franklin dazzled defensively, turning steals into transition baskets and outscoring the Mavericks 20-4 in the first six minutes of the period. The run turned a six-point game into an insurmountable 44-22 lead.

By the end of the game, Franklin had scored 31 points off 22 Mavericks turnovers.

“The points-off-turnovers was huge,” Meadowdale coach Chad McGuire said. “They did a good job of getting turnovers and finishing on the other end.”

Meadowdale hung with the Quakers in the first half. The Mavericks’ zone defense flustered Franklin and they were able to get the ball to forward Conner Hamlett. The 6-foot-7 senior had a significant size advantage over the Quakers and he scored 10 points before halftime.

Franklin, which has no players taller than 6-3 in its starting lineup, cracked down on Hamlett in the second half, limiting him to only three shots and four points. Hamlett was held in check because Meadowdale’s guards couldn’t even think about working the ball to the low-post.

“We’ve got to create a turnover,” Quakers coach Jason Kerr said, “before there’s an offensive rebound for them to get.”

Holmes led Franklin with 14 points, guard Vonchae Richardson had 10 points and four steals and Siva, a McDonald’s All-American, finished with seven points and five assists.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Quakers were subdued. A few players bumped fists, but most left the court with a business-as-usual demeanor. If history is any indicator, Franklin will have its celebration tonight. The Quakers have won every title game they have played in, including their most recent in 2006

“We have one game left,” Siva said, “to take care of business.”

Kennedy's up-tempo, attacking style, plus its superior athleticism, is creating more scoring opportunities than Meadowdale is.

After a slow start, the Lancers have done a great job of attacking the basket. They went 9-of-16 from the FT line in the second quarter.

Yaz Fuller led Kennedy with seven points. Aminah Williams added six. Only two players scored for the Mavericks – guard Julia Fjortoft (seven points) and forward Alexis Nugent (four points).

The Mavericks broke out to a 5-0 lead, but the Lancers, who went scoreless for the first 4:45, got it in high gear behind their quicker guards.

As the game wore on, Shadle Park showed its battle-tested mettle from playing in the 4A-dominated Greater Spokane League (third-place finisher), and methodically pulled away from the younger Cougars in the Class 3A state semifinals Friday night.

The Highlanders won, 43-28, at the Tacoma Dome.

Better days should be ahead for Holy Names Academy, which controlled the first quarter, but endured awful scoring droughts – of 9 minutes, 10 seconds between the second and third quarters, and of 6:02 to start the fourth quarter.

Bianca Pope led Shadle Park with 11 points. Lindsay Neimeier and Aleisha Hathaway added eight points, and Kendra Knutsen had six points.

To sum up the Cougars' outing, they had more turnovers (30) than points (28).

Shadle Park will play for its first state championship since winning the 4A crown in 1989.

It's become such a common occurrence, even game-watches from both sides are calling for "a travel" every time a player moves, dribbles or makes an attempt at a shot.

OK, one man behind me is yelling, "Double dribble" just to change it up.

Latest turnover count through three quarters: Holy Names 24, Shadle Park 23.

The most effective player on the floor in the third quarter is Shadle Park guard Biance Pope, who attack the basket early and got to the FT line. She also made a couple of buckets late, and had seven of her 10 points in that stanza.

Chelsea Chandler's jumper handed Shadle Park a 32-23 lead with six seconds to go.

Shadle Park has settle down a bit, and does not seem as affected by the Cougars' pressure. The Spokane school is now getting the ball inside, and is drawing fouls and get to the FT line.

Aleisha Hathaway's jumper gave Shadle Park the lead for good, 17-15, in the first half with 5:22 to go.

Ball-handling miscues have really hurt Holy Names, particularly by Laura Sullivan. That can be expected from a starting lineup of three 10th graders. Claire Conricode was the Cougars' offense, scoring all five points in the quarter, including a 3-pointer. She leads the team with eight points.

We'll start and continue this just-added element to the blog – turnover watch: Holy Names 16, Shadle Park 16.

If the Highlanders can hold on to the lead and win, it will mark the fourth time they'll play for a state title, but first at the 3A level. They won 4A championships in 1981, 1988 and 1989.

It's almost safe to assume, after watching three days of the Class 3A state girls basketball championships, Holy Names' young talent, all long and lean, is going to create problems for years to come.

It has so far in the semifinals.

Shadle Park isn't finding much room to operate, committing 11 turnovers trying to find ways to get inside, especially with guard penetration.

The Cougars' youth also shows in inefficient ways (nine turnovers, badly missed shots), but Holy Names had an early 9-4 lead after Claire Conricode's 3-pointer with 2:33.

Shadle Park has to find a way to get star sophomore Erika Johnson going. She had one field-goal attempt in the quarter.

Sam Howell’s pair of driving layings in the last 40 seconds of the loser-out consolation game lifted the Panthers to the victory.

“We needed baskets and we needed stops,” Howell said. “I just got the ball and put it in.”

Seattle Prep will play the winner of the Rainier Beach-Union contest in the fourth-/seventh-place game at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Trailing 52-49, Howell brought Prep (21-9) within one point when he scored on a fastbreak. After Enumclaw (23-4) failed to score on the ensuing possession, Howell was fouled as he attempted another runner. The ball dropped through the hoop and he made the free throw, giving the Panthers a 54-52 lead with 19 seconds left.

Enumclaw guard Wes Caldwell got a shot off at the buzzer, but it missed its mark, sealing the win for Prep.

Panthers forward Patrick Nyeko recorded a double-double with game-highs of 25 points and 11 rebounds. Howell finished with 11 points.

Taylor Myers led the Hornets with 18 points and Jayson Lewis added 15.

The upstart Bulldogs just keep on winning and for the first time since 1998, Foster will leave the state tournament with a trophy.

“To place as high as fifth, fifth is pretty good in 3A,” Bulldogs coach John Barbee said.

Foster will face the winner of the Seattle Prep-Enumclaw game in the fifth-/eighth-place game at 11:30 a.m. today.
Classified as a 2A school, the Bulldogs “opt up” to play in 3A where it is sixth-smallest school in that classification. That didn’t stop Foster (18-8) from beating the Pirates (13-15).

The Bulldogs pressured Rogers throughout, scoring 21 points off 19 turnovers.

“That’s the only way we know how to do it,” Barbee said of his team’s frenetic, pressure defense.

Good shooting helps, too. The Bulldogs made 50 percent of their shots from the floor, led by guard Refugio Soto-Lopez’s 19 points. Travis Miller added 11 points and nine rebounds.

Rogers’ Jesse Vaughan scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Boys

Peyton Siva, Franklin
17 points, 6 assists, 5 blocks, 5 steals

Anthony Brown, Shadle Park
29 points, 19 rebounds

Aaron Bright, Bellevue
21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists

Jesse Vaughan, Spokane Rogers
22 points, 12 rebounds

Danny Martinez, Lakes
19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals

Taylor Hoffer, North Kitsap
17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks

Jody Ruiz, Capital
22 points, 5 rebounds

Patrick Nyeko, Seattle Prep
17 points, 7 rebounds

Sean Jones, O’Dea
17 points, 7 rebounds

Devante Williams, O’Dea
22 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals

Aaron Matzen, Lynnwood
22 points, 9 rebounds

Refugio Soto-Lopez, Foster
21 points, 4 assists, 3 steals

Andre Winston Jr., Lakes
16 points, 5 rebounds

Girls

Daidra Brown, Kennedy
25 points, made 11 of 12 free throws

Hailey Gullstad, Mercer Island
23 points, 4 assists

Bianca Pope, Shadle Park
10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks

Heather Hitch, Enumclaw
14 points, 11 rebounds

Morgan Merriman, Lakeside
16 points, 8 rebounds

Kayla Williams, Franklin
13 points, 10 rebounds

Ashley Honeycutt, Ferndale
11 points, 13 rebounds

Airashay Rogers, Hazen
22 points, 2 steals

Kari Luttinen, Seattle Prep
20 points

Heather Corral, Prairie
17 points

Katelyn Smith, Yelm
12 points, 8 rebounds

The Hornets nearly got out of one huge hole, but when Holy Names ended the third quarter on an 11-0 run to grab a 39-27 lead, that was too much to overcome.

Cougars' sophomore Erika Johnson had 18 points, 13 rebounds, five blocked shots, six steals – and was a little erratic with the ball at times, committing 10 turnovers.

In fact, the teams combined for 64 turnovers.

White River was led by Carly McCutchen's 10 points.

Like they did midway through the second half, the Cougars had a burst to break open a close game – after White River clawed back into it.

The Hornets closed the gap to 28-27 on Megan McKune's layin with 3:22 to go in the quarter, and could have taken the lead had post Kendall Williams not blown a wide-open look at a layin on White River's next possession.

After that, Holy Names scored on four of its final five trips, most of it coming inside by Sophie Reichelt (four points), Jody Buck and Claire Conricode.

Erika Johnson is tall and rangy at 6-foot-1. She handles the ball. She blocks shots. And she's the one who has the Cougars only 16 minutes away from a 3A semifinal berth.

Johnson was responsible for giving Holy Names a little breathing room in this turnover-fest, scoring eight points in a 21/2-minute span. Her layin with 3:38 to go in the first half gave the Cougars a 20-9 advantage.

The sophomore finished the half with a game-high 12 points.

White River did get to the free-throw line in the first half (6-of-14), and that has kept the Hornets within earshot. Sabra Sproul ended the half by making an 8-footer to cut it to 26-19.

The last time the Hornets were in the 3A tournament was 2007 when they won their first game, and lost the next two.

It was a bizarre pre-game locker room sessions for coach Chris Gibson and the White River High Hornets, and the first quarter was just plain ugly as the teams combined for 25 turnovers (White River had 14, Holy Names 11).

The Cougars broke out to a 6-0 lead in the first 2:50, but slowly White River has made up grond. Megan McKune tied it at 8-all on her 8-footer along the baseline.

Before the game, standout White River post Kendall Williams informed Gibson she left her basketball shoes in her car in Buckley. The team found a replacement pair from another team.

The Wolverines built a 26-9 lead on two free throws by Cam Warren, then let off the gas pedal a bit, allowing Union and its guard penetration to get good shots in the lane, ending the last 2:37 on an 8-2 run.

Union's Chris Morgan has 10 of his team's 17 points. Bellevue was led by Colton Christian's eight points, all coming in the first quarter. The Wolverines had two four-point possessions in the half as well.

The Titans had a scary moment with less than three minutes to go in the half. Prized football recruit Mitch Saylor, a 6-foot-6 junior, went down on the Bellevue baseline clutching his left knee. Officials stopped the game as he remained on the floor. A couple minutes later, Saylor got up and went to the bench. He did not return, and it's unclear the severity of the injury.

You're going to see this storyline a lot in Friday editions around the state … because this is the rematch of the Class 3A state football championship game.

And this quarterfinal basketball game is going about as well for the dominant Wolverines, whose length enables them to shoot over the smaller Union players, even as they play a zone defense.

Cam Christian has a game-high eight points. The Titans did not score until the 3:09 mark on Chris Morgan's basket. They have five turnovers as well.

Roger O'Neill hit a pair of 3-pointers to help the Mavericks pull ahead. Meadowdale leads 31-28 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Enumclaw guard Taylor Myers' jumper with 1 minute, 25 seconds remaining in the half gave the Hornets an 18-17 lead.

We've got a low-scoring game so far. Meadowdale leads Enumclaw 9-5 at the end of the first quarter.

Winner gets to play Franklin.

Franklin 68, Seattle Prep 47

All it took to wake the Quakers was to see the Panthers take a 30-29 lead.

After slumbering through the first two and a half quarters, No. 1 Franklin erupted for a 27-3 run in the second half, stomping on Prep’s hopes for the upset of the tournament.

“Sometimes you look at the scoreboard,” Panthers coach Mike Kelly said, “and think they made a mistake.”

Panthers forward Jon Humphrie gave Prep the one-point lead when he pulled up in transition and buried a 3-pointer. The basket angered the Quakers. Franklin clamped down on defense and went on a 13-0 spurt to run away with the game.

During the run, Quakers point guard Peyton Siva misfired on a breakaway dunk. The miss left him steaming, his disdain on his visible to everyone in the Tacoma Dome.

“I’ve seen him mad, but not that mad,” Franklin senior Chris Holmes said. “I know there would be some defense and dunks.”

He was right. The Quakers continued to force turnovers and Siva quickly slammed home a pair of dunks, adding to his team-high 17 points. The Louisville-bound McDonald’s All-American also tallied six assists, five steals and five blocks.

Forward Patrick Nyeko led Prep (xx) with 17 points.

Off went Franklin. The Quakers ripped off a 17-3 run in the final 4 minutes, 26 seconds of third quarter. Franklin leads 46-33 heading to the fourth.

Peyton Siva made a couple tremendous plays during that stretch. He leaped high for a block and then slammed a two-handed dunk that put the Quakers up 40-30, forcing Prep to call a timeout.

Jon Humphrie gave Seattle Prep a 30-29 lead when he pulled up in transition and drilled a 3-pointer. It was all Franklin after that.

Seattle Prep's Jon Humphrie hit a 3-pointer from the corner late in the second quarter to keep Franklin from running away.

On a totally unrelated note, the crowds for the 3A tournament have been small. Nothing like the 4A tournament last week. I know these schools are smaller, for the most part, at least, part the drop-off should not be this severe.

What's keeping people away?

Seattle Prep is hanging around. Franklin leads the Panthers, 15-14, at the end of the first quarter.

The top-ranked Quakers have beat Seattle Prep twice this season by a combined 38 points. Maybe the Panthers have figured something out?

All it will take is one Franklin run to put this one away, though.

Refugio Soto-Lopez buried 3-pointers on three straight possession, erasing a deficit and sending the Bulldogs on their way to a 58-48 win over Lynnwood.

The Royals had rallied from their own 10-point deficit in the third quarter. Lynnwood led 39-36 when Soto-Lopez went on his tear.

Foster will play the winner of the Spokane Rogers-Capital contest.

Lynnwood has gone on a 9-0 run over the last two minutes, taking a 35-31 lead over Foster with 3:12 left in the third quarter.

Aaron Matzen converted a 3-point play, Geoff Meinken hit a layin and after a Bulldogs turnover, Matzen gave the Royals the lead, 33-31, with a 3-footer off the glass.

Foster committed four turnovers during the Royals 9-0 run.

Foster is exerting its will against Lynnwood, doing pretty much what it wants to. The Bulldogs lead 21-11 with four minutes left in the second quarter.

Lynnwood has a Tacoma connection. Royals senior Aaron Matzen is the son of former Lincoln start Steve Matzen.

Both teams went deep in their benches to finish up this one – a game O'Dea controlled from the tip.

Devante Williams finished with 24 points for the Irish, and sat out the entire fourth quarter.

You know the action was going O'Dea's way when, in the third quarter, Brandon Huggins deflected a pass for the Vikings on the Irish's end of the court, and the ball ended up going into the basket with 2:20 to go in the quarter.

Devante Williams has picked up where he left off, scoring 11 of his game-high 24 points in the third quarter for O'Dea, which is firmly in control in this consolation-bracket game.

The Irish made six of 10 field goals, and all six free throws in the quarter in continuing its very efficient effort.

The Irish's man-to-man pressure is doing a number on the lumbering Vikings, who face a steep climb if they want to get back into this loser-out contest in the Tacoma Dome.

Devante Williams led all scorers with 13 points for O'Dea, including three 3-pointers. Sean Jones added 11, and Keola Kaneko finished off the Irish's impressive half (11-of-21 shooting) with four of his six points in the final 49 seconds.

North Kitsap is 6-of-20 from the floor, and has committed eight turnovers and had one assist.

The Irish has been dictating tempo on both ends, and has gotten easy looks inside.

Lakes has the contributions of three reserves – guards Danny Martinez and Cedric Dozier, and forward Jamaal Kearse - in getting past the Highlanders, and to the next round of the consolation bracket.

Dozier and Martinez played great defense on Shadle Park standout Anthony Brown in OT, and Kearse's hustle, and two free throws, gave the Lancers a comfortable 66-62 lead with 57.9 seconds remaining.

It was Martinez who grabbed a loose ball after Brown lost it on Shadle Park's end. In frustration, Brown, who finished with a game-high 29, grabbed Martinez, and fouled out with 1:13 to go.

After Brown went out, the Highlanders missed five of their final six field goal attempts, and committed a pair of turnovers against Lakes' fullcourt zone pressure.

Lakes sealed it by making its final eight FTs in the last minute.

The Lancers played most of the fourth quarter and OT without their standout, Andre Winston, Jr., who fouled out with 6:32 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Gamely, Lakes battled back after losing top scorer Andre Winston, Jr., who fouled out with 6:32 to go, and had a chance to win it in regulation.

Coach JoJo Rodriguez called two timeouts on the Lancers' final possession, the last with 9.1 seconds remaining. Lakes fumbled the ball around, and it was recovered by Shadle Park's Robby Douglas with one second to go.

Lakes tied it at 58 on Danny Martinez's two free throws with 1:56 remaining.

Douglas had six points in the quarter. Anthony Brown leads all players with 27 points for the Highlanders.

Lakes held a lead briefly, 33-31, after Danny Martinez opened the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers, but Anthony Brown just won't let the Highlanders lose this game. He has 25 through three quarters.

One thing to watch for: Andre Winston, Jr. and Isaac Winston both have four fouls but continue to play in this loser-out game.

For the first part of the second quarter, it appeared the Lancers were headed for a blowout and ugly defeat in their own county super-building.

Shadle Park took a 25-10 lead with 5:57 to go in the first half on Luke Jordan's 17-foot jumper.

But fullcourt Lakes' pressure rattled the Greater Spokane League program, and Lakes went on a 9-0 run, capped by Isaac Winston's 8-footer in the lane, to cut it to 25-19.

One positive for the Lancers has been the play of Danny Martinez off the bench. He scored eight points in the quarter, six coming on a pair of 3-pointers.

Shadle Park's Anthony Brown leads all scorers with 16, nine coming in the second period. Brown also has 12 rebounds.

Turnovers, giving up second shots have all spelled deficit for Lakes after one quarter.

Shadle Park's Anthony Brown has been the best player on the court in the first eight minutes. He has seven points and a couple of steals.

Lakes' Andre Winston, Jr., fresh off his 32-point effort Wednesday in a first-round loss, scored four points.

Boys

Corey Stern, Rainier Beach
13 points, 21 rebounds, 10 blocks

Andre Winston Jr., Lakes
32 points, 4 for 4 3-pointers, 4 steals

Jon Humphrie, Seattle Prep
31 points, 7 rebounds

Alex Schrempf, Bellevue
28 points, made 9 of 11 shots

Vonchae Richardson, Franklin
24 points, made 6 of 9 3-pointers

Steven Bjornstad, Columbia River
17 points, 12 rebounds

Conner Hamlett, Meadowdale
26 points, 7 rebounds

Caden Skelton, Union
24 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists

Kyle Erickson, North Kitsap
23 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds

Aaron Bright, Bellevue
21 points, 4 assists

Sean Jones, O’Dea
20 points, 6 rebounds

Girls

Lindsey Levanen, Prairie
17 points, 10 rebounds

Heather Hitch, Enumclaw
19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals

Kendall Williams, White Rive
14 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks

Yaz Fuller, Kennedy
18 points, 2 steals

Mara Koplitz, Enumclaw
17 points, 7 rebounds

Laura Hughes, Hanford
12 points, 10 rebounds

Christine Sonners, Prairie
10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals

Rainier Beach leads Capital, 34-27. The Cougars pulled to 26-25, but a pair of 3-pointers let the Vikings regain a two-possession lead.

Rainier Beach lead Capital, 26-18, at halftime.

Lots of fouls called so far. Easily the most in one half that I've seen today. Both teams were in the bonus in the first quarter.

Because of the fouls, neither team has been able to get into any kind of rhythm.

Rainier Beach leads Capital, 8-6, at the end of the first quarter.

Yes, it is as exciting as that score makes it sound. Vikings guard Robert Harris hit a 3-pointer as the quarter expired.

Rogers went on a 15-2 run late in the fourth quarter to make it a one-possession game. But the magic ran out there for the team from the Greater Spokane League with a losing record.

Columbia River held on to beat the Pirates, 57-51.

Columbia River leads Rogers, 41-30, at the start of the fourth quarter.

Earlier, Union beat Lynnwood 60-41 and will play Bellevue in the quarterfinals. This is a matchup of teams that played for the football state title.

Union leads Lynnwood 27-19 early in the third quater.

Caden Skelton leads the Titans with 11 points.

It took a while for the Royals to get going. Union outscored the, 12-4 in the first quarter.

Foster threaten Bellevue in the third quarter, but the No. 2 Wolverines seem to be in control again, leading 51-35 at the end of the third quarter.

Travis Miller brought the Bulldogs crowd to its feet with a thunderous breakaway dunk halfway through the third quarter. The basket brought Foster within seven points, 37-30, but Bellevue guard Aaron Bright followed with a pair of 3-pointers to extend the lead.

Second-ranked Bellevue leads Foster 21-8 at the end of the first quarter.

The Wolverines entered the state tournament as the favorite of the lower half-bracket. Bellevue is playing like it so far.

Great defense on the last possession save Enumclaw from going to overtime. The Hornets beat O'Dea 45-42 and will play Meadowdale in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Hornets guard Riley Carel put Enumclaw up by three, 45-42, when he hit a pair of free throws with 24.8 seconds remaining. The Fighting Irish called a timeout and tried to work out a plan, but Enumclaw's perimeter defense forced Devante Williams to attempt an obstructed 3-pointer from the baseline.

The shot missed and Enumclaw moves on.

The Fighting Irish used a 4-0 run to gain a little cushion heading into the fourth quarter.

Enumclaw has missed a couple easy ones inside, or else they'd be ahead at this point. However, the Hornets have made some big shots to keep it close, and they continue to get to the foul line. Stay tuned.

We've got a pretty good game here between two teams who know a thing or two about playing in the state tournament. The Hornets (19) and Irish (26) have 45 state tournament appearances between them.

Forward Sean Jones leads O'Dea with 12 points, and 6-foot-6 forward Tarren VanTrojen is tops for Enumclaw with six points.

The Hornets are 8-of-11 from the line, while O'Dea is just 2-of-4 from the stripe.

The Hornets are hanging tough with O'Dea after the first quarter in this back-and-forth game. The Hornets have the advantage inside with big man Tarren VanTrojen, and are having their way with the Irish on the boards.

North Kitsap made a run at Meadowdale at the end of the game, but the Mavericks hit their free throws and won 70-64.

Meadowdale will play the winner of the Enumclaw-O'Dea game.

Enumclaw's Heather Hitch scored 19 points and Mara Koplitz added 17, helping the Hornets to a 46-41 overtime win over Franklin.

Enumclaw will meet Meadowdale in the quarterfinals.

Lakes' Andre Winston Jr. scored 32, but Seattle Prep bounced the Lancers to the loser's bracket with its 87-75 victory.

The Panthers led by as many as 18 points in the second half. Lakes closed the gap to 10 with a minute to play, but it was too late.

Lakes will face Shadle Park at 9 a.m. in a consolation game on Thursday

Seattle Prep has built its lead back up and leads Lakes, 66-50, at the end of the fourth quarter.

The Panthers scored points on 10 of 14 third-quarter possessions.

Seattle Prep led by as many 16 points in the second quarter, but Lakes has whittled the margin to 42-35 at halftime.

Free throws have kept the Lancers close. Lakes made 13 of 17 shots from the line in the first half.

The winner will meet Franklin in the quarterfinals and the loser will face Shadle Park in a loser-out game at 9 a.m.

Lakes looks a little lost on the court. Maybe it's the cavernous atmosphere, the big crowds or the chilly temperature. Whatever it is, Seattle Prep is taking advantage of it.

The Panthers lead 23-16 at the end of the first quarter.

Prep's Patrick Nyeko went baseline late in the quarter and with no one between him and the hoop, he made the dunk look easy.

Lake's Andre Winston Jr., playing with a bad back, has hit three 3-pointers, including one at the buzzer.

It's a final, No. 1 Franklin beat No. 5 Shadle Park, 67-42.

Meadowdale clipped Auburn Mountainview, 40-39.

Off for some interviews.

Not a lot has changed in the Franklin-Shadle Park contest.

The Quakers lead, 59-27, at the end of the third quarter. Vonchae Richardson did not hit any 3-pointers in the quarter. He needs three more to tie the individual tournament record.

This one looked all but over in the first quarter. And looks even worse at halftime.

No. 1 Franklin leads No. 5 Shadle Park, 42-15, after two quarters.

Quakers guard Vonchae Richardson has SIX 3-pointers. The record for a 3A state game is nine.

In the girls game, Auburn Mountainview and Meadowdale are tied, 20-20.

The Lions led virtually the entire first half against Meadowdale.

Ida Huners scored eight of Auburn Mountainview's 20 first-half points. Only a late 1-and-1 miss from Stephanie Smolinski that led to a driving layup with 3 seconds to go for Meadowdale got it tied at halftime.

Shadle Park has no answer for Franklin. The Quakers lead the Highlanders, 14-4, at the end of the first quarter.

Franklin has swarmed the Highlanders defensively and the pressure defense has turned into a few transition baskets.

Tip-off for the Franklin-Shadle Park game is minutes away. This is a great first-round matchup, worthy of at least a quarterfinal.

Same as last week, we'll be posting in-game scoring updates, photos, video and a game story shortly after each game is finished.

There are almost two dozen Shadle Park students here, though it sounds more like 50. One of the girls told me they left Spokane at 3 a.m. today, so I'm guessing they're wired on Starbucks, Rockstar and Red Bull.

Here's a link to our All-Area boys and girls basketball teams.

There's detailed information in that link. But here are the teams:

Boys

Player of the Year: Abdul Gaddy, Bellarmine Prep

Coach of the Year: Mike Cocke', Foss

First Team
Gary Bell, Kentridge
Joshua Smith, Kentwood
John Gage, Vashon
Cole Dickerson, Federal Way
Marcus Tibbs, Decatur

Second Team
LuQuam Thompson, Foss
Killian Larson, Puyallup
Kevin Davis, Beamer
Darnell Williams, Curtis
Michael Hale III, Federal Way

Girls

Player of the Year: Lindsey Moore, Kentwood

Coach of the Year: Danny Graham, Federal Way

First Team
Mercedes Wetmore, Auburn Riverside
Jessie Genger, Kentwood
Simonne Potts, Bellarmine Prep
Jacqie Evenson, Federal Way
Nichole Jackson, Auburn Riverside

Second Team
Kendall Williams, White River
Carrie Ojeda, Mount Tahoma
Mechela Barnes, Bellarmine Prep
TyShana Burgess, Federal Way
Lauren Picha, Puyallup

Boys

League MVP
Kelvin Penn, Steilacoom, Junior

Coach of the Year
Mark Schelbert, Fife

First Team
Damien Fisher, Fife, Senior
Greg Herd, Steilacoom, Senior
Cameron Hayes, Fife, Junior
Blayne Clanton, Steilacoom, Junior
Gabe Merritt, Washington, Senior

Second Team
Brad Norman, Eatonville, Junior
Taylor Callahan, Eatonville, Junior
Thomas Darnielle, Fife, Junior
Bryan Carbullido, Washington, Senior
Erik Swartout, Eatonville, Freshman

Honorable Mention
Dustin Yarrington, Fife, Senior
Zach Bass, Eatonville, Senior
Greg Donovan, Washington, Senior
Kyle Tainatongo, Steilacoom, Senior

Team Sportsmanship Award
Washington

Girls

League CO- MVPs
Shelly Kilcup, Fife, Senior, Guard
Becca Schrimpsher, Eatonville, Sophomore, Guard

Coach of the Year
Davina Serdahl, Eatonville

First Team
Brianna Garcia, Steilacoom, Junior, Forward
Shekia Hill, Steilacoom, Senior, Guard
Kristan Schaub, Eatonville, Junior, Guard
Jackie Jamison, Washington, Junior, Guard
Samantha Schubach, Washington, Freshman, Guard

Second Team
Ryann Waldman, Fife, Senior, Forward
Alex Davidson, Steilacoom, Senior, Forward
Emma Loftis, Eatonville, Senior, Forward
Marki Creger-Zier, Steilacoom, Junior, Guard
Amanda White, Eatonville, Senior, Guard

Honorable Mention
Cami Lubereski, Fife, Senior, Guard
Ailua Evans, Washington, Junior, Forward
Khrysten Harr, Washington, Junior, Forward
Danielle Curran, Eatonville, Junior, Forward
Nikita Rivera, Fife, Senior, Forward

Team Sportsmanship Award
Washington

Class 3A

Boys

First Round
Franklin over Shadle Park
Lakes over Seattle Prep
North Kitsap over Meadowdale
Enumclaw over O'Dea
Bellevue over Foster
Union over Lynnwood
Columbia River over Spokane Rogers
Rainier Beach over Capital

Quarterfinals
Franklin over Lakes
Enumclaw over North Kitsap
Bellevue over Union
Rainier Beach over Columbia River

Semifinals
Franklin over Enumclaw
Bellevue over Rainier Beach

Finals
Franklin over Bellevue

Girls

First Round
Meadowdale over Auburn Mountainview
Franklin over Enumclaw
Kennedy over Hanford
Lakeside over Hazen
Prairie over Mercer Island
Shadle Park over Ferndale
White River over Seattle Prep
Holy Names over Yelm

Quarterfinals
Franklin over Meadowdale
Kennedy over Lakeside
Prairie over Shadle Park
Holy Names over White River

Semifinals
Kennedy over Franklin
Prairie over Holy Names

Finals
Kennedy over Prairie

Class 2A

Boys

First Round
Quincy over Anacortes
Fife over Hockinson
Squalicum over Pullman
Mark Morris over Toppenish
Wapato over Sultan
River Ridge over North Mason
Clarkston over Sequim
Burlington-Edison over Tumwater

Quarterfinals
Quincy over Fife
Squalicum over Mark Morris (This is a quarterfinal? Wow.)
River Ridge over Wapato
Clarkston over Burlington-Edison

Semifinals
Squalicum over Quincy
River Ridge over Clarkston

Finals
Squalicum over River Ridge

Girls

First Round
Black Hills over Ellensburg
Lynden over Eatonville
Othello over Hockinson
Spokane West Valley over Burlington-Edison
Elma over Fife
Prosser over Bellingham
Kingston over River Ridge
Pullman over Archbishop Murphy

Quarterfinals
Black Hills over Lynden
Othello over Spokane West Valley
Prosser over Elma
Kingston over Pullman

Semifinals
Black Hills over Othello
Prosser over Kingston

Finals
Prosser over Black Hills

Here are the final rankings for 3A and 2A.

Boys

Class 3A
1. Franklin
2. Bellevue
3. Rainier Beach
4. Union
5. Shadle Park
6. Lakes
7. Enumclaw
8. Seattle Prep
9. Meadowdale
10. Foster

Class 2A
1. Squalicum
2. River Ridge
3. Mark Morris
4. Burlington-Edison
5. Quincy
6. Clarkston
7. North Mason
8. Wapato
9. Pullman
10. Fife

Girls

Class 3A
1. Kennedy
2. Prairie
3. Shadle Park
4. Holy Names
5. White River
6. Franklin
7. Meadowdalw
8. Lakeside
9. Hanford
10. Mercer Island

Class 2A
1. Prosser
2. Archbishop Murphy
3. Black Hills
4. Lynden
5. Kingston
6. Othello
7. Elma
8. Spokane West Valley
9. River Ridge
10. Pullman

Class 3A
Boys bracket

Girls bracket

Class 2A
Boys bracket

Girls bracket

PLU student videographer Jon Wedell shot some highlights of the championship games last night.

4A Boys Championship Game

4A Girls Championship Game

Federal Way’s Isiah Umipig falls out of bounds, as Cole Dickerson and Andre Barrington look for the loose ball at the start of the second half against Garfield at the Tacoma Dome, March 7, 2009.
Joe Barrentine/The News Tribune

Coach Keith Hennig

Courtney Johnson

Lindsey Moore

Federal Way’s Michael Hale, drives to the basket in the opening minutes at the Tacoma Dome, March 7, 2009.
Joe Barrentine/The News Tribune

By Doug Pacey
The News Tribune

Kentwood has conquered all.

The second-ranked Conquerors trounced No. 4 Snohomish, 60-47, in the finals of the Class 4A girls basketball state tournament on Saturday at the Tacoma Dome. It is the first state championship in program history.

Kentwood put the Panthers away early in the fourth quarter. The Conquerors led, 46-38, going into the period and quickly extended their advantage. Moore’s fastbreak layin put Kentwood ahead 54-40 less than three minutes into the period, forcing Snohomish to call a timeout to regroup.

But the Panthers could not get closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Moore was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Genger was voted to the second team. The all-tournament teams are voted on by media members that covered all four days of the state tournament.

Snohomish’s Katie Benson and Emily Guthrie were named to the tournament’s first team.

Auburn Riverside’s Mercedes Wetmore and Moses Lake’s Jordan Loera were also selected to the first time. Other second-team members are: Jeneva Anderson, Lewis & Clark; Alexa Smith, Issaquah; Brittany Barrington, Federal Way; and Carly Noyes, Moses Lake.

The Conks are doing just enough to keep a nice little cushion. Snohomish started off the quarter with a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 31-27, but KW immediately answered with a Jessie Genger 3-pointer. Every time Snohomish scores, Kentwood answers on the next possession.

The scoring slowed down significantly in the second quarter - as expected - with both teams tightening up a little defensively. Kentwood maintained its lead as Lindsay Moore banked in a big 3-pointer while Jessie Genger was fouled on a 3-point shot and made all three free throws.

For Kentwood: Moore has 10 points on 4-of-5 shots with three assists. Courtney Johnson has eight points inside and two rebounds.

For Snohomish: Katie Benson has eight points and seven rebounds, she also picked up her third foul with 16 seconds left in the half. Emily Guthrie pushed her tournament record to 15 3's on the weekend and has six points.

A high scoring first quarter in the girls championship game with the Conks rolling out to an early lead. Lindsey Moore has been aggressive going to the bucket, but she's also been unselfish dishing it off for a few easy buckets for teammates.

Snohomish's Emily Guthrie's 3-pointer two minutes into the first quarter broke the 4A tournament record for most in one tournament with 14

Kentwood’s Kylie Huerta drives past Snohomish’s Karley Lampman at the Tacoma Dome, March 7, 2009.
Joe Barrentine/The News Tribune

PLU student videographer Jon Wedell spent yesterday checking out the sounds that add so much to the tournament experience.

It was a frantic last 21/2 minutes, with each teams' stars sinking clutch shots, going back-and-forth in this game for third place.

Kentridge had just a little bit more in the end than its West Central District counterpart.

After LuQuam Thompson gave Foss its first lead on a putback of his own missed shot with 2:38 to go, the advantage lasted a whole seven seconds when Foss put Gary Bell on the free throw line on a grab during an inbounds play.

Bell sank both FTs, then added a circus-like 8-footer in the lane on Kentridge's next possession to give the Chargers the lead for good, 50-49, with 2:05 remaining.

The killer for Foss was Laron Daniels' corner 3-pointer during the Chargers' game-clinching 7-0 run in the final two minutes.

Thompson and DeAndre Sutton sank 3-pointers in the last 40 seconds, but the Chargers took care of their lead with FTs.

Bell had 17 points for Kentridge. Shaquielle McKissic added 14. Thompson led all scorers with 20.

The third-place finish was Kentridge's third-best behind a 1992 title, and a 2007 runner-up.

Foss is allowing Chargers guards Shaquille McKissic and Gary Bell to get to deep into the lane to make easy feeds or layins, and that was the difference in the third quarter.

Kentridge scored on four possessions in a row. McKissic scored half of them, and had a great pass inside to Colin Williamson on another bucket.

Foss went without a field goal (0-of-10) in the quarter, but made seven of 10 free throws to stay within earshot.

For much of the quarter, Kentridge looked ready to bust this game open after Gary Bell's 5-footer gave the Chargers a 25-17 lead with 1:44 to go.

But Foss scored on its final five trips, finally showing life around the basket. LuQuam Thompson had four of his six points in the final 50 seconds, including a key putback.

Nate Walker's free throw cut it to 27-25, but Shaquielle McKissic was fouled hard on the other end for Kentridge, and he split FTs to give the Chargers a three-point lead.

Foss was 5-of-15 on 3-point shooting, including two apiece from Jonathan Payne and DeAndre Sutton. Bell led Kentridge with nine points.

Kentridge is attacking at any opportunity. Foss is settling for jump shots, and missing.

Aside from a three-trip, back-to-back-to-back made 3-pointers in a 1:03 span, the Falcons aren't really moving the ball around.

For the second consecutive game, Gonzaga Prep's Sean Fischer was scoreless at halftime.

And in back-to-back occasions, the guard promptly heated up after that.

Fischer scored 21 points, and his 3-pointer to start overtime gave the Bulldogs the lead for good in collecting fourth place in the Class 4A state tournament.

Gonzaga Prep also went 8-of-10 from the free throw line in the extra session.

With the game in hand, a scary moment happened when Inglemoor's Tom Dougherty, a reserve, nearly clocked Gonzaga Prep's David Stockton with a arm near the head. Dougherty was whistled for an intentional foul, and Stockton was OK.

In fact, Stockton – the son of ex-NBA star John Stockton – lead all scorers with 22 points. Ryan Nicholas added 16 for the Bulldogs.

Adam McElwee scored 18 for the Vikings, who went 3-of-11 from the floor in OT after rallying to tie it in the final seconds of regulation. Todd Campbell tipped in Benji Bryant's miss in the final five seconds to tie at 57.

Auburn Riverside’s Kara Jenkins, left, and Issaqah’s Dominique Mendezona wrestle for the ball at the Tacoma Dome, March 7, 2009.
Joe Barrentine/The News Tribune

Todd Campbell's putback bucket for Inglemoor tied it at 57 with five seconds to go, and Sean Fischer's long 3-pointer for the Bulldogs from the right side fell short.

Benji Bryant squired in the lane for the Vikings, but his 10-footer took two bounces around the rim. Campbell was in the right place at the right time for the game-tying shot.

Gonzaga Prep's Sean Fischer started the quarter strong – eight points, two 3-pointers – to hand the Bulldogs a lead.

And Inglemoor's Benji Bryant grabbed it right back, hitting a top-of-the-arc 3-pointer with 2:02 to go int he quarter to break a 36-36 tie, and later added a difficult runner in the lane.

A close game, one with a little flair. Bulldogs forward Travis Long didn't agree with a charge call at the end of the half, and was assessed a technical foul, which aided the Vikings' narrow lead.

Inglemoor shot 52 percent in the first half (11-of-21), getting a team-high nine points from Adam McElwee (including a pair of 3-pointers), and seven from Todd Campbell.

David Stockton, the son of ex-NBA star John Stockton, paces Gonzaga Prep with 11 points, including three 3-pointers.

Redmond outlasted Lake Stevens, winning 70-64 in double-overtime. The Mustangs claimed the fifth-place trophy, while the Vikings received eighth.

Redmond guard Chris Harrington sent the game into the second overtime when he hit a pair of free throws that tied the game at the end of the first extra period.

Lake Stevens' Sean Stickney fouled out in the second overtime and Redmond took control from there, outscoring the Vikings 8-2 in the four-minute period. Stickney has been one of the top players at the tournament this week and posted his third double-double, this time scoring 27 points and puling down 10 rebounds.

Harrington led all players with 34 points.

Bellarmine Prep’s Sarah Hartwell sails past Lewis & Clark’s Megan Bech on her way to the basket at the Tacoma Dome, March 7, 2009.
Joe Barrentine/The News Tribune

From the 4A state tournament

Boys

Tony Wroten, Garfield
24 points, 9 rebounds

Andre Barrington, Federal Way
22 points, 8-for-10 FGs

Sean Stickney, Lake Stevens
25 points, 13 rebounds

Cole Dickerson, Federal Way
10 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists

Jeffrey Forbes, Federal Way
16 points

Shaquielle McKissic, Kentridge
13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals

Gary Bell, Kentridge
16 points, 4 assists

Todd Campbell, Inglemoor
20 points, 11 rebounds

Benji Bryant, Inglemoor
22 points

Chris Harrington, Remond
22 points, 7 rebounds

James Lopez, Eisenhower
17 points

Adam McElwee, Inglemoor
16 points, 3 assists

Ryan Nicholas, Gonzaga Prep
10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks

Girls

Mercedes Wetmore, Auburn Riverside
27 points, 6 assists, 2 steals

Brittany Barrington, Federal Way
17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals

Jessie Genger, Kentwood
16 points, 4 rebounds

Kathleen Cooper, Auburn Riverside
15 points, 15 rebounds

Jeneva Anderson, Lewis & Clark
19 points, 7 rebounds

Alyssa Charlston, Eastlake
12 points, 15 rebounds

Shaunice Robinson, Garfield
17 points, 6 rebounds

De Aundreney Dillard-Brown, Garfield
14 points, 9 rebounds

Shalece Butler-Woods, Bellarmine Prep
12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals

PLU student videographer Jon Wedell talked to members of a few of the bands that made their way to the dome this week to support their teams. Enjoy his report his report.

BY DOUG PACEY
doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com

All that hype about Tony Wroten being the nation’s best player in the Class of 2011? Count the Foss Falcons as believers.

Six weeks after beating a Wroten-less Bulldogs squad, No. 3 Garfield thumped the fifth-ranked Falcons 69-46 in the semifinals of the Class 4A boys basketball state tournament Friday night at the Tacoma Dome.

Garfield (24-3) will try to win its 12th state championship and first since 1998 when it meets No. 1 Federal Way (27-2) in the title game at 9 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on FSN.

Foss (22-6) will face No. 7 Kentridge for third place at 3:30 p.m.

Wroten, regarded by many recruiting experts as the top player in the Class of 2011, sat out the regular-season game with an ankle injury. Foss won the Jan. 24 contest, 50-46, but having Wroten on the court presented the Narrows League champions with an entirely new challenge.

The Kentwood High Conquerors picked an opportune time to finally get a 3-point shot to go down.

In a back-and-forth tussle with SPSL North rival Federal Way, Kentwood got a huge 3-pointer from Shelby Wahlberg from the left corner with 34 seconds to go, and went on to win, 49-43, in the Class 4A girls semifinals in the Tacoma Dome.

Kentwood will meet Snohomish on Saturday night for the state title.

Both teams gave reasons why they should have lost this third matchup of the season.

• Before Wahlberg's bucket, Kentwood was 0-of-13 on 3-pointers.

• The Eagles committed more fouls (20) and turnovers (20) than the total of field goals they made (18).

TyShana Burgess' runner down the right side for the Eagles cut Kentwood's lead to 46-43 with 2:01 remaining.

After Kylie Huerta missed a 3-pointer for Kentwood, the Eagles had a chance to to move closer, or even tie. Daah Huertas-Vining drove along the right baseline, but Kentwood star Lindsey Moore was trailing her, and blocked her shot from behind.

Moore fed Wahlberg on the left side for the 3-pointer that clinched it.

Garfield has built a 49-26 lead over Foss as we head into the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs went on an 11-0 run in the final 4 minutes, 20 seconds of the third quarter.

Tony Wroten has 20 points. Foss' leading scorer is LuQuam Thompson has 12.

It's become obvious this was the night somebody could catch touted Kentwood in a sub-par outing, and the Eagles are still in it behind Brittany Barrington's cllutch shooting (17 points, three 3-pointers).

Sloppy ball-handling, resulting in eight third-quarter turnovers, have not only hurt Federal Way, it has really shown its youth.

Kentwood star Lindsey Moore has 11 points, but is 3-of-12 from the floor.

Tony Wroten has electrified Garfield. The sophomore had 16 points, powering the Bulldogs to a 34-17 lead over the Falcons at halftime.

Since changing his jersey because of blood halfway through the first quarter, Wroten is 5-for-6 from the field.

The tempo has picked up, and that certainly favors Kentwood in this third matchup of SPSL North programs.

The Conquerors scored the first five points of the second quarter, capped by Jessie Genger's bucket with 6:10 to go, to grab a 13-10 lead.

But Federal Way is hanging in there behind Brittany Barrington, who scored seven points in the quarter (in a 1:50 span), including a 3-pointer.

Her 3-pointer from the left side gave Federal Way its final lead of the half, 23-21, before the Conquerors reclaimed it from the free throw line.

Kentwood holds a big advantage from the FT line, going 8-of-17. Federal Way is 2-of-2.

Tony Wroten hit a pair of 3-pointers at the end of the first quarter, giving Garfield a 14-9 lead over Foss in the 4A semifinal.

The Eagles scored on four of five possessions midway through the first quarter, and a 10-5 lead held up after one period.

Kentwood has missed seven 3-point attempts against Federal Way's 1-2-2 zone.

Federal Way was too much all game long for Kentridge, beating the Chargers, 66-54, to earn a second straight trip the Class 4A state championshhip game.

Kentridge cut the deficit to nine late in the fourth quarter, but the Eagles hit their free throws at the end of the game. Guard Isiah Umipig went 6-for-6 from the line in the final period. As a team, Federl Way made 19 of 22 free throws.

Eagles guard Andre Barrington scored a season-high 22 points. Cole Dickerson scored 10 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished four assists. Jeff Forbes added 16 points and Michael Hale III finished with 12.

The tournament's scoring leader entering the game, Kentridge sophomore Gary Bell led his team with 16 points. Guard Shaquille McKissic had 13 and eight rebounds.

Federal Way will play the winner of the Foss-Garfield semifinal at 9 p.m. Saturday.

Panthers guard Emily Guthrie has become a 3-point shooting machine.

Guthrie, a senior, hit six 3-pointers and poured in 18 points for Snohomish, which will play for its first Class 4A state championship since 2005.

She tied the tournament mark with her 13 3-pointers in three games, and can hold the record outright if she hits one Saturday against either Kentwood or Federal Way.

Seattle Pacific-bound Katie Benson also had 18 for the Panthers, 16 coming in a first half in which they led 29-7.

Two Snohomish player embrace after winning a Class 4A girls basketball semifinal against Moses Lake Friday at the Tacoma Dome.

The Chiefs scored the first 11 points of the third quarter to cut it to a 10-point deficit before Jenn Berg ended the spurt with her basket.

Berg also hit a 3-pointer with 1:12 to go in the third quarter.

The Eagles exploded in the third quarter ripping off a 14-2 run. Andre Barrington already has 17 points and FW is really working the ball around for easy buckets, not what you normally see against a team as good defensively as KR

If you're trying to figure out who got the better end of the deal between Snohomish 6-foot-1 forward Katie Benson (Seattle Pacific) and Moses Lake's 6-5 center Carly Noyes (Washington State), on this night, it's no contest.

Benson has 16 first-half points.

Noyes hasn't scored, and is in foul trouble.

Ok, Gary Bell is back in the game, it looked like he might have bumped knees with Jeff Forbes on a transition layup and then slammed hard into the basket standard.

But it was Shaquielle McKissic that kept Kentridge in the game with a pair of 3-pointers.

McKissic has eight points, two rebounds and two assists to lead KR. Gary Bell is 1-for-5 from the field for two points, but does have two assists.

For FW, Michael Hale III showed know effects of a bruised thigh that he suffered earlier in the tournament, he has eight points and is 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.

Cole Dickerson and Jeff Forbes also has six points each. Dickerson also has four rebounds and three assists. The Eagles are shooting 52.9 percent from the field.

Kentridge's Gary Bell has left the game with 2:40 left in the second quarter. He left the court limping and favoring his right leg.

Bell has been the best player in the tournament so far and is its leading scorer. This would be a big blow to the Chargers if he can't return.

Federal Way leads 25-19.

The Eagles ripped off a 13 point run midway through the third quarter to go up 17-9, but Kentridge stopped the bleeding with a bucket late in the first quarter.

Federal Way is doing a nice job on Gary Bell, who has just two points

After a ball was batted back to the Gonzaga Prep bench, giving Curtis possession early in the fourth quarter, Vikings' forward Chad Rasmussen went to inbound.

Nobody followed, prompting Rasmussen to yell across the court, "Hello!"

On the third day of the Class 4A state championships, Curtis just didn't have any legs left to stay around.

The Vikings bolted to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but eventually the Bulldogs' big posts wore them down in posting the victory, and earning a chance for their first state trophy since 1991 when they finished sixth.

Sean Fischer paced Gonzaga Prep with 17 points, 10 coming in the third quarter when the GSL school pulled away.

His two free throws gave the Bulldogs a 42-30 lead with 51/2 minutes to go.

Darnell Williams tried to rally Curtis, tallying 12 of his team-high 17 in the fourth quarter.

Gonzaga Prep will face Inglemoor on Saturday.

Curtis looks tired on both ends, and the Bulldogs took advantage in the third quarter with a blistering offensive effort (8-of-13 field goals).

Sean Fischer, who went scoreless in the first half for Gonzaga Prep, tallied a team-high nine points in the quarter, including one 3-pointer. His last bucket, on a feed from Travis Long, pushed the lead to 36-28 with 13 seconds remaining.

Stan Langlow has been steady for the Vikings. He scored six points, and now has 10 for the game. Three of Curtis' five baskets were on second-chance opportunities.

Third-day legs have taken over this loser-out, winner-to-play-for-a-state-trophy matchup, and the action hasn't been pretty.

Combined turnovers: 16.

Combined fouls: 19.

Combined shooting percentage: 25.7 percent (10-of-39).

Even a bad flopping act by Curtis High's Derek Van Essen at the end of the first half while guarding Ryan Nicholas.

Chris Sarbaugh's alley-opp pass to a back-door cutting Travis Long for a layin with one second to go gave the Bulldogs their first lead.

Curtis made only one field goal in the second quarter – Van Essen's short jumper from the right side with 5:12 to go in the first half.

These schools have met once before in the 4A tournament. The Bulldogs edged Curtis, 70-67, in the first round of the 1990 tournament.

Curtis’ Marquise Doss passes the ball around Gonzaga Prep’s Sean Fischer.

For a while, it looked like the Bulldogs were going to be the first Class 4A participant since 1963 not to score for a quarter.

Gonzaga Prep went more than six minutes without points, missing its first nine shots as the Vikings (who scored on their first three trips) broke out to a 10-0 lead.

But Parker Kelly nailed a right-side 3-pointer to end the drought, and the Bulldogs got back into it by holding Curtis scoreless for the final 2:47, including forcing four consecutive turnovers.

Darnell Williams and Stan Langlow lead the Vikings with four points apiece.

Inglemoor withstood a late surge by Walla Walla and claimed a 63-55 victory.

The Vikings were led by Benji Bryant's 22 points. Todd Campbell had 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Smooth Walla Walla shooting guard Gary Winston scored 22 points.

Inglemoor will play the winner of the upcoming Curtis-Gonzaga Prep game in the 4th place/7th place game tomorrow at 1:30.

Inglemoor leads Walla Walla, 36-26, at halftime.

Inglemoor's Benji Bryant has 17 points and Todd Campbell has 9.

For Walla Walla, Michael Weisner leads the Blue Devils with 9 and Gary Winston has 8.

Auburn Riverside has shrugged off a slow start to take a 33-26 lead at halftime over Garfield in a loser-out game.

On the boys court, Inglemoor leads Walla Walla 16-13 with 7 minutes left in the second quarter

Sean Stickney's free throws with 1.5 seconds left lifted Lake Stevens to a 50-49 win over Eisenhower in the consolation game.

Eisenhower's Robert Bonzer gave the Cadets a 49-48 lead when he made one of two free throws with 12.5 seconds remaining. Bonzer missed the second and and Lake Stevens' Shane Kaska grabbed the rebound and the Vikings pushed the ball up the court.

Stickney got the ball near the baseline and went up for a 2-footer when he was fouled by Ike's Jordan Gaut. Stickney hit both free throws and Ike's 50-foot shoot at the buzzer fell short.

Eisenhower has a slim 33-32 lead over Lake Stevens at halftime of the boys consolation game.

photo from the Great Falls Tribune

Back in my home state of Montana, there's a bit of a controversy as Harlem High School had to forfeit a game in the Northern B Divisional (think districts) tournament because they were dunking in warm-ups and broke the backboard.

Now everybody knows that you can't dunk during warm-ups but often high school teams will dunk during warm-ups until the referees take the floor.

My buddy Scott Mansch of the Great Falls Tribune has the story on the situation, including the ruling in the MHSA handbook concerning the situation.

Needless to say the folks in Harlem (a reservation school up by the Canadian border) are not happy with the ruling.

I'm sitting here in the Tacoma Dome, with fewer than a thousand spectators scattered around this cavernous arena.

What's wrong with this picture?

The crowds won't begin to show up until the semifinals begin at 7 p.m. The early consolation games are sloppy. On the boys side, Mariner leads Redmond 23-18...in the third quarter. Bellarmine Prep leads the Eastlake girls 25-15...in the third quarter.

Bellarmine Prep has quite a few fans. It helps that the campus is a five-mile drive from the Tacoma Dome. Not counting the players on Eastlake's team, there are 13 Eastlake students in the stands. And that's including six cheerleaders.

It's time for a change in the state tournaments.

In January, I wrote a column describing a format I'd like to see implemented. I think it would raise interest and excitement and in turn increase attendance, which the WIAA would welcome.

Here's the quick version:

Instead of 16 teams, I'd move to an eight-team bracket and eliminate the consolation games. Play 4A and 3A at the same site. With fewer teams, one-court arenas, like Hec Ed and KeyArena, can accomodate a two classification tournament, for boys and girls. Play the 4A boys and girls on Wednesday, 3A boys and girls on Thursday, all eight semifinals on Friday and four finals on Saturday.

Here's the original column and an expanded blog post on my idea.

The biggest change is going to an eight-team bracket. By doing this, you can play the 4A and 3A tournaments at one site. The 2A and 1A can also be played at one site. That means the WIAA saves by renting a facility only once, not in back-to-back weeks. Playing two tournaments at the same site would also be much more likely to attract the casual fan.

I know some people will object to the elimination of the consolation games. Why have a double-elimination tournament if a team that loses can't win the whole thing? Make it one-and-done. Getting to the state tournament is a big accomplishment in itself. No one goes to state hoping to go through the loser's bracket for fifth place.

The WIAA's executive board has said it is looking into making changes in its state tournament formats. Most coaches are opposed to reducing the number of teams that qualify and the consolation games. We'll see what happens.

Bellarmine Prep beat Eastlake, 47-36.

The Wolves scored two points in the second and third quarters, but got their offense going in the fourth quarter.

Bellarmine's defense was just too much and the offense made enough plays.

Bellarmine Prep and Eastlake are tied, 13-13, at the end of the first quarter.

The Wolves turned the ball over on their first three possessions and didn't even get a shot off until two minutes into the game. Bellarmine Prep couldn't take advantage, though, only building a 4-0 lead.

A little sloppy so far. That's to be expected on the third day of the state tournament, especially in the morning game. I know these 15-hour work days are taking a toll on me.

Thursday’s best performers:

Boys

Gary Bell, Kentridge
32 points, 8 rebounds

LuQuam Thompson, Foss
21 points, 11-12 free throws

Cole Dickerson, Federal Way
28 points, 11 rebounds

Ryan Nicholas, Gonzaga Prep
21 points, 15 rebounds

Tony Wroten, Garfield
23 points, 9 rebounds

Sean Stickney, Lake Stevens
30 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists

Taylor Elmo, Eisenhower
22 points, 11 rebounds

Kevin Davis, Beamer
16 points, 18 rebounds

Travis Long, Gonzaga Prep
13 points, 12 rebounds

James Lopez, Eisenhower
24 points, 5 assists, 3 steals

Jordan McCloud
18 points, 10 rebounds

Karsten Strieby, Mountlake Terrace
22 points, 9 reboounds

Darnell Williams, Curtis
21 points

Jonathan Payne, Foss
9 points, 10 rebounds

Chris Harrington, Redmond
19 points, 7 rebounds

Shane Kaska, Lake Stevens
15 points, 6 rebounds

Girls

Lindsey Moore, Kentwood
23 points, 9 rebounds

Betsy Kingma, Newport
21 points, 9 rebounds

Katie Benson, Snohomish
21 points, 7-for-13 shooting

Sarah Hartwell, Bellarmine Prep
13 points, 8 rebounds

Carrie Ojeda, Mount Tahoma
15 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks

Kelsey Patrick, Kamiak
12 points, 17 rebounds

Jeneva Anderson, Lewis & Clark
17 points, 7 rebounds 3 blocks

Samantha Sovich, Kamiak
12 points, 6 steals

Georgia McClaskey, Kamiak
15 rebounds

Tony Wroten hit the go-ahead jumper and then literally smacked away the Bullpups’ hopes of an upset in the quarterfinal contest. Garfield beat Gonzaga Prep, 48-44, in overtime late Thursday night at the Tacoma Dome.

Wroten’s basket with 1 minute, 10 seconds remaining in overtime gave third-ranked Garfield the lead for good. Moments later he sent Ryan Nicholas’ baseline jumper into the Bullpups’ bench and the Bulldogs held on from there.

Third-ranked Garfield (22-3) will face No. 5 Foss in the semifinals at 8:30 p.m. tonight in a rematch of a 2000 semifinal. The Falcons won that game, 54-52, and went on the claim the state title. Foss was the last team to beat Garfield this season, defeating a Wroten-less Bulldogs squad, 50-46, on Jan. 24. Garfield has won 12 games since then.

Wroten scored a game-high 23 points, but made only 8 of 17 free throws. Nicholas finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Teammate Travis Long also had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Gonzaga Prep (24-4) was trying to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1955. Instead, the Bullpups will meet No. 8 Curtis in a loser-out game at 3:30 p.m. today.

The Bullpups sent the game into overtime when they erased a four-point deficit in the final 90 seconds of regulation. Nicholas hit a pair of free throws and then made a runner in the lane with 14 seconds left that tied the score.

Garfield hung on despite missing some key free throws. Garfield meets Foss Friday night at 8:30.

Just a very physical, defensive game.

Ryan Nicholas and Travis Long have made some tough plays inside.

Tony Wroten is trying to keep the Bulldogs in it, but point guard DeAndre Taylor picked up his fourth foul which could be an issue later.

Contrasting styles, Gonzaga Prep with burly WSU football commit Travis Long and equally physical post Ryan Nicholas are banging GArfield around a lot. Nicholas and Long have a combined 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Tony Wroten has come to play. He as 11 points and three boards.

Sorry had to write my story.

Curtis tried to pull off another comeback but came up short.

LuQuam Thompson scored 21 points, including 11-of-12 from the free-throw line and played the whole fourth quarter with four fouls. DeAndre Sutton added 14 and Jonathan Payne had nine points and 10 boards.

Darnell Williams led Curtis with 21 points.

Foss hurt Curtis on the glass, getting 16 offensive rebounds leading to 12 second chance points.

This one was never in doubt. No. 2 Kentwood routed No. 1 Pasco, 59-44, handing the Bulldogs their first loss of the season.

Kentwood hit on all cylinders throughout, getting good shooting, nice passing and even better defense. Pasco never got a run going, letting the Conks control the tempo.

Kentwood will play the winner of the Federal Way-Issaquah contest. But I'd be surprised if any team challenges Kentwood.

During most halftimes, I'll go over the first half play-by-play that I've written down, add up scoring totals or look for other trends and statistics that can help a story.

Every once in a while, I'll get to see a halftime performance that captures my attention. I saw one tonight at halftime of the Kentwood-Pasco game. Pasco's dance team -- the dancing grandma's and grandpa's -- gave a memorable performance.

Check it out:

It's been a low-scoring third quarter so far. Kentwood leads 42-23 with 1 minute, 48 seconds left in the period.

Most interesting part of this blowout so far has been the halftime performance of Pasco's dance team -- the dancing grandma's and grandpa's. I'm working up a video of it and will post it shortly.

Kentwood's Jessie Genger looks to pass around Pasco's Sadie Sparks.

The Falcons weathered an 8-0 run spurred on by three straight transition buckets from Curtis guard Darnell Williams.

However Foss guard LuQuam Thompson picked up his fourth foul midway through the third quarter.

Kentwood is pouring it on against Pasco. The No. 2 Conquerors lead No. 1 Pasco, 34-19, at halftime.

Kentwood guard Shelby Wahlberg drained a 3-pointer and Kylie Huerta added a basket to give the Conquerors their biggest lead of the game, 34-16.

The Bulldogs will have to figure out how to stop Kentwood's incredibly efficient offense and come up with a few big baskets if they want to keep their undefeated record.

The Falcons put together a 12-2 run with DeAndre Sutton scoring all of eight of his points including back-to-back 3-pointers to give Foss the lead at halftime.

Curtis is still hanging around, the Viks held a brief 22-21 lead on a Chad Rasmussen 3-pointer.

Sutton has eight points and three rebounds as eight Foss players have all scored.

Davonte Lacy has seven points to lead Curtis as the Vikings have eight players in the scoring column.

There were 18 fouls whistled in the fist half (Curtis 7, Foss 11)

LuQuam Thompson and DeAndre Sutton both have three fouls.

Kentwood leads undefeated Pasco 22-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Both these teams are playing tenacious defense. The girls are flying to the ball and contesting nearly every shot.

Pasco is in foul trouble with seven teams fouls in the period. Kentwood went to the line six times, hitting 9 of 11 free throws.

Lindsey Moore sure doesn't look injured to me. The Conquerors are looking awafully good.

The game has been a little sloppy with both teams clearly playing hard, but perhaps a little too fast.

It looks like we could be on our way to a lot of free throws, there's already been 11 fouls called in the first quarter.

Curtis already has six team fouls with Marquise Doss and Derek Von Essen on the bench with two each.

Foss has five team fouls and also has to deal with LuQuam Thompson with two fouls.

Cole Dickerson dominated, Federal Way pulled away and now the Eagles will meet Kentridge for the third time this season.

Dickerson finished with 28 points on 11-of-16 shooting. He also 11 rebounds and four blocked shots, Walla Walla simply had no answer for him.

Federal Way didn't have another scorer in double figures and Michael Hale III was 0-for-2 from the field with 0 points and two assists.

Walla Walla was led by Gary Winston with 11 points, but he was just 3-of-8 from the field and Isaiah Umipig did a pretty solid job defensively on Winston, limiting his touches and making him work extremely hard for the times he did get it.

FW still can't pull away.

Federal Way got going offensively in the second quarter, outscoring Walla Walla 17-7. The Eagles started to pick apart Walla Walla's zone, getting some easy scores inside.

The Eagles shot 60 percent from the field (12-of-20).

Cole Dickerson is dominating. He has 15 points and three rebounds and FW's only 3-pointer.

Walla Walla's Gary Winston has seven points and his 3-pointer late in the second quarter helped stop some of the bleeding. Spencer Hessler also has six points for the Blue Devils.

Kind of a slow start as both teams are feeling each other out. But the pace is much slower than Federal Way wants to play at. Expect the Eagles to start pick up the defensive pressure more in the second quarter.

PLU student videographer Jon Wedell spent a day talking to fans from around the state and filed this report.

Kentridge pulled away from Inglemoor in the second half, beating the Vikings 60-48in the Class 4A state quarterfinal.

Gary Bell was just too much for Inglemoor, hitting 3-pointers and jumpers. Bell finished with a game-high 32 points. He was 11-of-20 from the field including 3-of-5 from 3-point range and 7-of-7 from the free throw line. Bell also had eight rebounds, three assists and a steal. Kentridge also got a solid game from Shaquielle McKissic with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and a pretty sick dunk late in the game.

Inglemoor was led by Benji Bryant's 21 points. But forward Todd Campbell struggled with his shooting, scoring just eight points on 2-of-13 shooting, but did chip in with 10 rebounds.

Gary Bell has taken over where Shaquielle McKissic left off. Bell opened the third quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers and added a pair of jumpers, helping Kentridge take 39-28 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Decatur High's Marcus Tibbs elevated through the lane late in the fourth quarter, higher in the air than usual.

Next thing he knew, he was laying on the trainer's table – with no memory of not only how he fouled out with 3:11 to go in the Gators' 59-56 loss to Lake Stevens, ending their season.

"I remember driving to the hoop," Tibbs said. "Next thing you know, I'm on that table."

After he landed hard on the court, Tibbs stayed down for a couple of minutes. He was helped to the medical area with a cut under his chin.

A few minutes later, while the Vikings finished the game on a 7-0 run, he watched the lead slip away from the bench, and his prep career end.

Tibbs said Montana, Montana State, Portland State, San Francisco and Seattle University have all been in contact with him.

Auburn Riverside leads Moses Lake 20-18 with 3:20 left in the second quarter.

Auburn Riverside’s Amanda Thomson, right, tries to swat the ball away from Moses Lake’s Chayla Hirz in the first quarter of the Class 4A girls basketball quarterfinal.

It's the Shaquielle McKissic show so far. The Kentridge senior has a game-high 11 points, helping Kentridge take a 23-20 lead over Inglemoor at halftime of the 4A quarterfinal. Gary Bell has 6 points.

Inglemoor's Paul Jorg scored on a put-back with 0.3 seconds left in the half. Adam McElwee leads the Vikings with 7 points.

Inglemoor leads Kentridge 11-6 heading into the second quarter.

The Vikings charged to a 9-2 lead halfway through the period.

Shaquille McKissic had a massive dunk in the first quarter, with an assist from Laron Daniels.

When Decatur point guard Marcus Tibbs fouled out with 3 minutes, 11 seconds left in the loser-out game with Lake Stevens, the Gators lost their play-maker.

Decatur went scoreless the rest of the game, letting a four-point lead evaporate into a 59-56 defeat to the Vikings.

Lake Stevens forward Sean Stickney hit a pair of free throws with 17.4 seconds left to give the Vikings a 59-56 lead. Gators guard Jerron Smith got the ball with 2 seconds left, but solid defense prevented him from getting a good look at the basket and his 3-point attempt missed the mark.

Tibbs fouled out with 3 minutes, 11 seconds left in the Gators' loser-out game against Lake Stevens. Tibbs was called for charging and hit the court hard. He laid there for several minutes while athletic trainers tended to him before he was helped off the court. He appeared to have a cut on his chin.

The left corner was Jarron Smith's hunting ground in the final minute, and it paid off handsomely for the Decator Gators.

Smith hit a pair of 3-pointers, from the same spot, and his second one with eight seconds to go gave the Gators their largest lead of the game, 50-40.

The long-range bucket capped an 8-0 Decatur run in the final 1:09.

If the Gators were hoping for a breather in the consolation bracket, they're not getting any cooperation from Lake Stevens.

The Vikings went on a 7-0 run to close out the first half.

It started with Sean Stickney's 6-foot jumper with 44 seconds remaining. After Decatur's Jerron Smith misfired on a 3-pointer, Stuckney snuck inside, was fouled and sank two free throws to give Lake Stevens a 32-30 edge.

After Terrell Williams' floater in the lane hit nothing but air, the Vikings worked the ball to T.J. Dodge in the right corner, and he connected on a 3-pointer with one second to go.

Gators guard Marcus Tibbs hit a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in the first quarter to tie the score at 17-17.

Lake Stevens was in control early, going inside to Sean Stickney. Shane Kaska added a pair of 3-pointers to keep the Vikings ahead.

Decatur isn't going away, though.

The Cadets were in dire need of a boost, an explosion if you will.

And in the fourth quarter, they got it.

Once trailing by 16 points early in the second half, Eisenhower came roaring back, scoring on 15 of its 17 fourth-quarter trips to stun the Hawks, 66-64.

James Lopez scored 22 of his game-high 24 points in the second half, with 11 coming in the fourth quarter. Big Nine MVP Taylor Elmo had 13 of his 22 in the final period.

Robert Bonzer hit two crucial free throws for the Cadets with 13.3 seconds remaining to seal the deal in the Tacoma Dome.

After Ryan Sells' layin early in the third quarter, Mountlake Terrace led 33-17. Karsten Strieby paced the Hawks with 22.

Just about the time it appeared the Cadets were going to be blown out – they trailed by as many as 16 early in the second half – guard James Lopez caught fire.

He scored 12 of his 14 points in the third quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Tyler Berman's 12-foot jumper closed the gap to 45-38 with 58 seconds to go.

The inspired Hawks closed the first half on a 13-2 run, thanks in part to their guards, who were able to create in open space, especially on fastbreak opportunities.

Ryan Sells tallied seven of his nine points in the second quarter. He had a three-point play during the spurt that covered the final 31/2 minutes of the half.

Mountlake Terrace capped the scoring after Jaykob Sells stole an errant pass at midcourt, and bounced it perfectly to Jacob Champoux on a two-on-one break with 49 seconds to go.

Eisenhower made six of 25 field goals against the Hawks' 2-3 zone, and committed eight turnovers.

Class 1A
Chelan 49, Vashon 33: The Goats took the lead early and never relinquished it, ending the Pirates’ season at the Class 1A girls basketball state tournament at the SunDome in Yakima on Thursday
Chelan (21-6) opened the game on a 12-3 run and never let Vashon come within four points.
Pirates guard Zelda Porter scored a game-high 20 points, going 4-for-7 from the 3-point line. Vashon ends its season with a 17-7 record.

Class 2B
Entiat 60, Evergreen Lutheran 58: The Tigers rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to eliminate the Eagles from the Class 2A girls basketball state tournament at Spokane Arena on Thursday.
Evergreen Lutheran’s Kelsey D’Andradre made one of her six 3-pointers to pull her team within one, 59-58, with 8.1 seconds left in the game. Entiat’s Michaiah Hodge followed with a free throw before D’Andrade’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer was blocked.
D’Andrade led the Eagles with 18 points. Melanie Laete scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Evergreen Lutheran.

Mountlake Terrace came ready to play this morning, and Eisenhower is looking sluggish.

The Hawks lead the Cadets, 14-8, with 7:10 left in the second quarter. Tyler Stracener has been Terrace's go-to guy early, scoring six points. All three baskets came inside.

The Bellarmine Lions finally made a few layups. When they did, the Lions erased a nine-point deficit to advance in the state consolation bracket with a 51-47 victory over Newport.

“It took a little while, but they responded,” Bellarmine coach Kevin Meines said. “We missed a lot of layups in the first half. But they came up big when it counted. It was fun to see those last couple of minutes.”

The run came virtually out of nowhere.

Bellarmine trailed 37-28 entering the fourth quarter. The Lions had managed only three points in the third, and with 5:48 to go, the Knights still led it by eight, 40-32.

But with 5:31 to play, Grace Beardemple buried a 3-pointer from the right baseline. That ignited an 14-3 Bellarmine spurt that gave the Lions a 46-43 lead with 1:54 left.

Sarah Hartwell made three of four free throws in the final 15 seconds to seal the deal as Bellarmine advanced to face Eastlake today at 11 a.m. for a chance to play for fifth place on Saturday.

In the end, the Mustangs' heady guard were too much for Beamer High's head-above-the-rim post Kevin Davis in a 4A consolation-round game.

The SPSL school's first run in a state tournament came to an end, 63-46.

A 13-0 run midway through the third quarter, highlighted by 3-pointers from Will Ellis (one) and Philip Leland (two), broke open a close affair in the Tacoma Dome.

Leland's second long-range shot gave the Mustangs a 42-30 advantage with 4:12 to go in the third quarter.

Beamer closed the gap to 47-40 on Napa Mefi's jumper with 6:07 remaining, but the Mustangs answered with buckets in the lane by Chris Harrington and Ellis.

Davis, the 6-foot-9 post for the Titans, led the way with 16 points, 18 rebounds and four blocked shots. Mefi added 12.

Harrington led all scorers with 19.

When the Mustangs let it fly, and hit, from the 3-point line, a 13-0 run in a two-minute span is more than feasible.

Philip Leland sank back-to-back 3-pointers to end the spurt, and Redmond led 42-30.

Kevin Davis, the 6-foot-9 post for Beamer, has 14 points and four blocked shots.

The South Kitsap Wolves need only to look at one stat to know why they left their first Class 4A state tournament since 2000 after two games.

Free throws.

South Kitsasp made only 11 of 23 shots from the line, including misses on the front ends of four 1-and-1 attempts, in a 43-36 consolation bracket loss to Eastlake Thursday morning at the Tacoma Dome.

Poor shooting all around put South Kitsap in a 10-point hole at the half, 27-17. In addition to making only five of 12 from the line in the half, the Wolves were just five of 16 from the field and turned the ball over 14 times.

But late in the third, South Kitsap got back in it. Sophomore point guard Kelsey Callaghan converted a three-point play and then made a runner in the lane on consecutive trips as the Wolves closed the gap to one, 33-32, entering the fourth quarter. But South Kitsap couldn’t get anything to fall again in the final eight minutes as Eastlake pulled away.

Eastlake will face the winner of Bellarmine Prep and Newport today at 11 a.m. for a chance to play for fifth place on Saturday.

Beamer's Kevin Davis went out with his second foul with 51/2 minutes remaining in the first half, and the Mustangs found the shooting areas much more spacious in grabbing a halftime lead.

Redmond went on an 11-1 run, aided by a 6-of-8 effort from the free throw line, while the 6-foot-9 Davis sat out.

The Titans also struggled on the offensive end in Davis' absence, missing all six field goals, and turning the ball over four times.

Davis and Vlad Aficiuc lead the Titans with eight points apiece. Philip Leland, Chris Harrington and Justin Alexander had six for Redmond.

Beamer’s Napa Mefi drives past Redmond’s Chris Harrington in a game at the Tacoma Dome, March 5, 2009.
Joe Barrentine/The News Tribune

For a second consecutive day, Beamer's Kevin Davis is showing why he's a coveted college prospect.

The Titans' talented 6-foot-8 post scored six points and had two blocked shots in the early going.

Redmond is staying close behind three 3-pointers.

The Marauders are winless in Class 4A state tournament basketball no more.

Mariner was 0-11 in 4A bracket games, but held the Roughriders without a field goal for the final 5:45 in advancing in the consolation round in the Tacoma Dome.

If the Marauders can win another loser-out game Friday, they will play for a state trophy for the first time since they were a 3A school in 1999 (finished third).

Mariner had to overcome its own scoring lull. It went scoreless for a 7:02 span, but took the lead for good on Damascus Purnell's three-point play, breaking a 30-30 tie with 2:05 remaining.

The Roughriders misfired on four 3-point attempts in the final minute.

Mariner's Tevin Dillon shoots through a crowd of Roosevelt defenders in the first game of the second day of action at the Tacoma Dome, Mach 5, 2009.
Joe Barrentine/The News Tribune

A 6-0 run in the final 2:51 gives the Roughriders their first lead since early in the second quarter. It was capped by Louis Voorhees' runner with 35 seconds to go.

Neither team can break away for a substantial lead in this 9 a.m. consolation matchup.

The Mariner guards, led by Michael Minor (seven points, 3-of-5 FTs) are dictating the tempo on both ends.

Roosevelt went without a field goal in the second quarter for 7:20 – until Gus Hohlbein's runner in the lane with 40 seconds remaining. The Roughriders did go 6-of-6 from the FT line, including a 4-of-4 effort by Kai Hoyt.

Ayanle Yusuf's free throw with 1.3 seconds to go capped a 5-0 run by the Marauders to grab the lead at the end of the first quarter over the Roughriders.

Here's a quick list of the best performers from the first day of the 4A state tournaments.

Boys
Gary Winston, Walla Walla
25 points, 6 rebounds

Ryan Nicholas, Gonzaga Prep
22 points, 8-for-8 FTs

Darnell Williams, Curtis
21 points, hit game-winner

Kevin Davis, Beamer
16 points, 13 rebounds

Deandre Sutton, Foss
11 points, 10 rebounds

Girls
Carly Noyes, Moses Lake
20 points, 6 rebounds

Tyshana Burgers, Federal Way
15 points, 8 rebounds

Kylie Huerta, Kentwood
11 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds

Joanna Balin, Snohomish
14 rebounds, 8 assists

Jordan Loera, Moses Lake
16 points, 10 rebounds

Erin Nicol, Issaquah
18 points, 6-for-6 FTs

Kat Cooper, Auburn Riverside
12 points, 6 rebounds

Nyasha Sarju, Garfield
15 points, 10 rebounds

The third-ranked Bulldogs never got into a rhythm, but they were good enough to hold off the Vikings to advance to the quarterfinals.

The Vikings hung with the Bulldogs for most of the first three quarters. Late in the third quarter, Garfield clung to a 32-29 lead before outscoring Lake Stevens 18-10 in the fourth quarter.

Three Bulldogs – DeAndre Taylor, DesJuan Newton and Kellen Landry – scored eight points. Sophomore Tony Wroten finished with seven points. Wroten sat out for much of the first half because of foul trouble and played only 20 minutes.

Vikings forward Sean Stickney scored a game-high 16 points and Shane Kaska added 11.

The Bulldogs will play No. 6 Gonzaga Prep in the quarterfinals at 8:30 p.m. today.

So much for having no state experience. Seventh-ranked Federal Way stunned No. 3 Lewis & Clark, the three-time defending champions, 61-48.

The Eagles will play No. 9 Issaquah at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the quarterfinals.

The Bulldogs have started to pull away from Lake Stevens, thanks to some full-court pressure and several of the reserve players. With Tony Wroten, Kellen Landry and Glen Brooks on the bench, Garfield put together a 8-0 run to start to pull away.

Great photo from TNT photographer Lui Kit Wong.

Kylie Huerta's headband falls over her eyes as she prepares to shoot and Kamiak's Kelsey Patrick flies by.

The game is a lot closer than it should be. Most figured Garfield would blow out the Vikings. But to be honest, Lake Stevens played harder than the Bulldogs for much of the first half. It would be tough to imagine the Vikings to play at this level or with this much intensity for four quarter.

Garfield did stretch the lead for a few moments, using some full-court pressure to force a few turnovers and a couple transition baskets.

Tony Wroten has five points and two rebounds, while Kellen Landry has six points and three rebounds.

Lake Stevens got 10 points and four rebounds from Sean Stickney.

An ugly game so far, it was 6-6 for much of the first quarter. But Garfield put together a late string of baskets to take the 12-6 lead.

Tony Wroten took a hard spill on an alley-oop attempt and sat out for more than two minutes but he's back in there.

Garfield seems a little disinterested right now and Lake Stevens is trying scrap and claw to stay in the game

Well, there goes my pick to win the tournament. Gonzaga Prep has done in Decatur, toppling the Gators 60-54.

The Gators had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Jerron Smith's 3-point hit the front of the rim with 15.8 seconds left.

I haven't tallied it up yet, but I think Bullpups forward Ryan Nicholas has been perfect at the free throw line tonight.

Nicholas finished with 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field and 8-of-8 shooting from the free-throw line. He also had six rebounds.

G-Prep also got 11 points from Sean Fischer and 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks from diminutive point guard David Stockton. The Bullpups shot just 41 percent from the field (21-of-51), but they were 12-of-14 from the free throw line and also had 15 points from second-chance attempts.

Decatur was led by Marcus Tibbs, who had 19 points (5-of-14 from the field), seven assists and three rebounds. Jarron Smith added 18 points and Jordan McCloud chipped in with 15 points and eight boards.

The Bullpups will meet the winner of the Garfield-Lake Stevens game in the quarterfinals at 8:30 p.m. Decatur will face the loser of the Garfield-Lake Stevens game at 2 p.m.

Gonzaga Prep forward Ryan Nicholas banked in a 12-footer as the third quarter expired, giving the Bullpups a 48-45 lead.

The third quarter had six lead changes.

Gonzaga Prep's Sean Fischer makes contact with Decatur's Cam Schilling as he heads to the basket.

Two Pierce County schools made the 16-team Class 4A state boys basketball championships.

And they will play each other Thursday for the right to play in the state semifinals.

After Curtis pulled out a wild first-round victory over Eisenhower, Narrows League champion Foss was equal to the Vikings on the excitement meter, holding on for a 42-39 triumph over Mountlake Terrace.

Foss and Curtis play a 7 p.m. quarterfinal game Thursday.

"We're excited for Curtis. All the kids know each other very well," Foss coach Mike Cocke said. "Getting Eisenhower would have been great, but it's good (now) because it's kind of a Tacoma thing."

Mountlake Terrace did most things right to hang with Foss. Its zone flustered the Falcons from long range (3-of-16 shooting). The rebounding margin was close (42-39 Foss favor). And as Hawks coach Nalin Sood pointed out, "we felt if we held them under 50, we'd have a chance."

And they did.

Up 40-37, Foss missed a one-and-one free throw attempt with 15.2 seconds to go, and the Hawks flew up the court with the ball. Forward Karsten Strieby, who led all scorers with 17 points, got the ball at the top of the arc. Instead of shooting – or even thinking about – a game-tying 3-point attempt, he slipped in closer, and sank a jumper from the free throw line.

His bucket cut it to 40-39 with 3.6 seconds remaining – not enough time for the Hawks to get another clear shot.

Gonzaga Prep has stormed back to take the lead. The Bullpups are ahead of Decatur, 31-26.

G-Prep is on a 29-9 run since trailing 17-2 halfway through the first quarter.

The Bullpups have hit five 3-pointers in the first half. Sean Fischer made three of them, including the go-ahead shot with 3:19 left in the second quarter that put G-Prep up, 24-23.

Decatur leads Gonzaga Prep 17-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Gators guard Marcus Tibbs has hit a pair of 3-pointers and Jerron Smith has one. Decatur was up 17-2 at one point.

Bullpups guard Sean Fischer hit a pair of 3-pointers to bring his team back in it.

Interesting thing happened halfway through the period. The clock stopped at 3:11 and stayed there for three possessions. Then it began moving again. The referees and folks at the scoring table apparently didn't notice, or care to take extra time off the clock.

Foss left the door wide open in the final 30 seconds for a Mountlake Terrace comeback, and the Hawks did just that.

Except they miscounted.

Needing a 3-pointer to tie the game, instead post Karsten Strieby pulled up to make a jumper from the free throw line with 3.6 seconds to, and Foss ran out the clock in a 42-39 thriller in the first round of the Class 4A boys basketball tournament.

Strieby's bucket cut it to 40-39. On the Foss inbounds, Jonathan Payne completed a halfcourt pass to Nate Walker, who was fouled with 1.5 seconds remaining.

Walker sank two free throws for a 42-39 Foss advantage, and a fullcourt heave by the Hawks was tipped.

The Falcons' last field goal camy on LuQuam Thompson's jumper with 4:01 to go. Foss missed three of its next four FTs before Walker came through.

Strieby led all scorers with 17 points.

Mountlake Terrace wants the ball in the hands of post Karsten Strieby as much as possible, and the 6-foot-7 senior scored 11 of his game-high 13 points in the third quarter to tie the game at 31-31.

Strieby scored on three consecutive Hawks' trips early in the quarter to help reverse a 20-18 halftime deficit.

Foss is still struggling shooting from the outside (3-of-15 on 3-pointers).

Three Foss turnovers in the final 75 seconds of the first half were costly as Mountlake Terrace tallied the final seven points to cut the Foss lead to 20-18 at halftime.

The Falcons took a 20-11 lead with 2:48 to go on Nate Walker's putback.

Jaykob Sells' capped the late-quarter flurry for MLT with a three-point play with three seconds remaining.

DeAndre Sutton made a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter for Foss, which faced a 2-3 zone by the Hawks the entire way.

Mountlake Terrace's Karsten Strieby, left, and Foss' LuQuam Thompson go for a loose ball

Photo credit: Joe Barrentine, The News Tribune

Maybe the half-hour delay from a dramatic Curtis High victory in the game before was enough to throw off the players from Foss and Mountlake Terrace.

End of first quarter: Foss 8, MLT 7.

And it's been an ugly display of shooting. Foss made one of its first 11 field goals, including five missed 3-pointers. Mountlake Terrace went 3-of-12.

Jeremy McClain came off the bench and made two quick buckets for the Falcons, and scored five points. His three-point play game Foss its first advantage, 8-6, with 1:27 to go in the quarter.

Curtis guard Darnell Williams splits Eisenhower's defense for the game-winner with 9.7 seconds left. The basket gave the Vikings a 66-65 lead and erased a 16-point deficit.

Eighth-ranked Curtis beat No. 2 Eisenhower, 68-65, and will play the winner of the Mountlake Terrace-Foss game in the quarterfinals.

Here's a video of Eisenhower's final possession. Curtis Marquise Doss makes the steal and the Vikings' bench explodes.

I'm working on a video of Curtis' Darnell Williams hitting the game-winner.

Darnell Williams scored the game-winner with 9.7 seconds left, lifting Curtis to an improbable 68-65 win over Eisenhower.

Eisenhower had a chance to win, but the the Vikings forced a turnover and the Cadets never got a shot off.

Curtis' Tim Kelly, right, and the rest of the bench explodes as time runs out in a come from behind 68-65 victory over Eisenhower at the Tacoma Dome Wednesday.

Photo credit: Joe Barrentine, The News Tribune

Mount Tahoma hung tough with Pasco, the No. 1 team in the state, for much of the first half. However, with the T-Birds trailing 16-14 midway through the second, the Bulldogs went on a 12-0 run to finish the half, going into halftime up 28-14. From there, the Bulldogs never looked back.

Curtis trails 61-57 with 1:37 remaining. Eisenhower has not shot well from the free throw line and the Vikings are beginning to foul to the Cadets. We'll see if Ike can fix its free throw problems, or let Curtis back in the game.

Curtis isn't going away. The Vikings trail Eisenhower 49-41 at the end of the fourth quarter.

Curtis has trimmed the deficit to 43-34, in favor of Eisenhower, with 4:23 left in the third quarter.

Let's see if Curtis can keep this up...

Top-ranked Pasco is beating Mount Tahoma 28-14 at halftime.

Eisenhower Curtis 35-20 at halftime. The Cadets are looking good an even when something good happens for Curtis -- like a blocked shot -- Ike seems to come up with the ball and get a basket.

Eisenhower has opened up a 22-10 lead over Curtis at the end of the first quarter.

Looking bleak for the Vikings. But Ike is definitely looking like a state title contender.

The Titans could not find an answer for Blue Devils guard Gary Winston.

“He can play,” Beamer coach Brent Brilhante said. “He gave us fits.”

The CBBN Cascade Division defensive player of the year made his presence known on offense, torching the Titans for 25 points on 7-for-12 shooting. The 6-foot senior also made 10 of 13 free throws for the ninth-ranked Blue Devils (20-7).

Beamer kept the score close and threatened throughout the fourth quarter, but never overtook Walla Walla. The Blue Devils will play Federal Way in the quarterfinals on Thursday, while Beamer meets Redmond in a loser-out game.

Post Kevin Davis recorded a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Wing Chase Hildebrandt and guard Vlad Aficiuc each added 10 points. Beamer finished an uncharacteristic 2-for-16 from beyond the arc.

“I think the kids were a little in shock today,” Brilhante said. “But we’ll come out tomorrow better.”

Eisenhower leads Curtis 10-2 less than three minutes into the first quarter.

When pressed, Newport couldn’t find the answer.

Having made the state tournament via an upset victory over District 4 representative Skyview (Van.), the Knights found themselves facing Kingco rival Garfield for the fourth time this season in the first round at the Tacoma Dome.

The Bulldogs beat Newport for the second time in a week, 55-50, to earn a quarterfinal date at 5 p.m. today against Snohomish. The Knights play Bellarmine in a consolation game at 10:30 a.m.

Newport led this one at the half, 25-22, despite leading scorer Betsy Kingma’s shooting woes. The junior made only three of 11 field goals in the first half and had seven points.

The Knights still clung to a 40-39 advantage after three quarters, but then Garfield went into a full-court pressing defense.

Newport began to turn the ball over, and could not recover. Nyasha Sarju scored a game-high 15 points, 11 in the second half, and had 10 rebounds to pace the Bulldogs.

Walla Walla topped Beamer 54-49 and will move on to face Federal Way in the quarterfinals at 5 p.m.

Beamer will play Redmond at 10:30 in a loser-out game.

The Eagles ran the Mustangs off the court, proving their worth as a favorite to win the state title. Federal Way shot 53.1 percent from the field and nine players scored for the top-ranked team in 4A.

The Eagles (25-2) will play the winner of the Walla Walla-Beamer game at 5 p.m. today.

Redmond led 8-3 halfway through the first quarter, but Federal Way quickly took control, getting a pair of 3-pointers from Jeff Forbes and Isiah Umipig to take the lead for good. The Eagles ended the first half on a 34-8 run, giving coach Jerome Collins plenty to be pleased about.

“It’s not so much the point spread as it is the execution offensively and defensively,” Collins said. “I loved our chemistry.”

Guard Andre Barrington led Federal Way with 13 points. Point guard Michael Hale III and forward Cole Dickerson each chipped in 12 points.

Jared Alexander paced Redmond (16-10) with nine points.

Federal Way's Cole Dickerson blocks the shot of Redmond's Justin Alexander.

Photo credit: Joe Barrentine, The News Tribune

Beamer is starting to look more comfortable. Senior big man Kevin Davis had a pair of dunks in the second quarter including a monster one in transition that shook the basket for 30 seconds.

Walla Walla stayed in it behind Gary Winston, who had 15 first half points. Both he and Michael Weisner had to sit late with two fouls, but they have 21 of the Devils 27 points.

Beamerwas led by Davis' nine points. Stellar shooting guard Napa Mefi is struggling a little with just four points and three turnovers

It was supposed to be a tight matchup of 4A state girls basketball contenders, and Snohomish High took the suspense right out of it early.

For the second consecutive, the Panthers dispatched of the Lions, 53-34, in the opening round Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome.

Emily Guthrie scored 17 points, 15 coming on 3-pointers. Katie Benson also added 17 in a balanced Snohomish attack.

Lions coach Kevin Meines surmised if the Panthers continue to play as well as they did Wednesday, they certainly will be in the championship hunt.

"It's going to take an awful good effort to beat them," Meines said.

Three Guthrie 3-pointers in a 1:24 span midway through the second quarter gave the Panthers a 30-6 lead.

"They were caving in, so I had some open shots," Guthrie said.

Todd Beamer looked a little nervous in its first state tourney game early on. A few bad shots and turnovers allowed Walla Walla to capitalize early. The Walla Walla tandem of Gary Winston and Michael Weisman have done most of the damage.

Federal Way thumped Redmond 66-36 and will play the winner of the Beamer-Walla Walla game.

Back with video interviews soon.

For the second consecutive year, the Snohomish Panthers sent Bellarmine Prep into the consolation bracket, in another convincing win.

This time, it was the Panthers' guards and their outside shooting that made the biggest difference. Emily Guthrie finished by making five 3-pointers – four in the first half.

The good news for Bellarmine: It will take on the loser of the Garfield-Newport matchup, and should feel pretty good about its chances to get back to a state trophy game. The Lions placed eighth a year ago.

Guard Emily Guthrie hit her fifth 3-pointer in the third quarter, and the Snohomish Panthers are in control after three quarters, 45-25, over Bellarmine Prep in a 4A girls' first-round game.

The Lions scored more points in the quarter (13) than they did in the first half (12).

The victor takes on the winner of the Garfield-Newport game scheduled for 2 p.m. in the 4A quarterfinals.

Bellarmine Prep is on its way to a fourth consecutive 4A state-opening defeat, and is following a similar path way.

Poor shooting, and many, many turnovers.

Snohomish turned 12 Bellarmine miscues into 20 first-half points, and lead, 33-12, at the end of the stanza in a rematch of an opening-round game a season ago.

Emily Guthrie leads the Panthers with 14 points, including 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions as Snohomish grabbed a 30-6 lead with 3:44 to go in the half.

Seattle Pacific-bound Katie Benson added 10.

Bellarmine Prep went 7:32 without scoring – until Shalece Butler-Woods' putback bucket with 3:30 to go in the half.

I was right about feeling a Federal Way run coming. The Eagles lead Redmond xx at halftime.

Since Redmond took an 8-3 lead early in the first quarter, Federal Way has outscored the Mustangs 34-8.

Redmond took an early 8-3 lead, but the top-ranked Eagles quickly extinguished that. Federal Way leads 17-10 at the end of the first quarter.

I'm feeling a big Federal Way run coming on...

Snohomish is getting good shots up. Bellarmine Prep isn't.

As a result, the Panthers have grabbed a 19-6 lead at the end of the first quarter in a first-round 4A girls came in the Tacoma Dome.

The Lions are shooting 50 percent (3-of-6), and when they decide to shoot in the lane, instead of pass, they're making inside baskets. But they also committed eight turnovers.

Katie Benson has seven points for Snohomish.

Chargers guard Gary Bell and Shaquielle McKissic combined for 36 points in seventh-ranked Kentridge’s first-round victory over the Marauders. The Chargers took control in the third quarter, when they outscored Mariner 18-10 and built a 49-35 lead.

“I guess we just wanted it more,” said Bell, who scored a game-high 19 points and made 3-of-7 3-pointers. “Nobody had pregame jitters. Everybody came to play.”

The Chargers shot 52.5 percent from the field and had four players score in double-figures. Forward Dylan Zylstra had 13 and guard Laron Daniels finished with 11.

Guard Michael Minor led the Northwest District champions with 17 points.

Bell said his team saw part of Inglemoor’s win over Roosevelt and thinks that the Chargers’ up-tempo style could give them an advantage over the Vikings.

“I really think we can beat them,” he said.

Doug Drowley
For The News Tribune

Samantha Gulisao’s 3-pointer at the buzzer hit the front rim and bounced away. The shot had little to do with the final outcome of South Kitsap’s 51-38 first-round state tournament loss to Moses Lake.

The Chiefs advance to face Auburn Riverside in the tournament’s first quarterfinal at 3:30 p.m. today at the Tacoma Dome. South Kitsap plays Eastlake at 9 a.m. in a consolation game.

Had it gone, Gulisao’s shot would have been the fourth made buzzer-beater of the game for the Wolves, who are making their first Class 4A state appearance since 2000.

Moses Lake began the game on a 17-2. South Kitsap went to the long-distance game in the second half and got its deficit under 10 on several occasions.

The Wolves made six 3-pointers in the second half. But the Chiefs had an answer for every little South Kitsap spurt and buzzer-beater.

Kelsey Callaghan banked in a 30-footer to end the first quarter, making it 19-9. Tori Fairweather beat the second-quarter horn with a basket inside, closing to 31-18. Then Gulisao made a 3-pointer out of the half-court set with less than two second to play in the third quarter.

Kentridge beat Mariner 65-50. The Chargers will play Inglemoor in the quarterfinals.

On the girls court, Moses Lake beat South Kitsap 51-38

Kentridge leads Mariner 51-37 with 7:01 left in the fourth quarter. The winner will play Inglemoor, while the loser gets Roosevelt on Thursday.

On the girls' court, Moses Lake leads South Kitsap 37-28 late in the third quarter.

Kentridge's Dylan Zylstra fends off a Mariner defender.

Photo credit: Joe Barrentine, The News Tribune

Doug Drowley
For The News Tribune

It wasn’t their best effort, they claimed.

But Auburn Riverside’s performance was more than enough to win its opening-round game, 48-30, over outmanned Eastlake on Wednesday morning. The Ravens broke away from an 8-8 tie midway through the first quarter with an 8-0 run and never were challenged the rest of the way.

The lead ballooned to more than 20 points in the third quarter, as defensively Auburn Riverside shut down the Wolves. Eastlake managed only two points in the third quarter.

“We didn’t really show what we can do,” junior guard Mercedes Wetmore said. Wetmore led all scorers with 16 points.

“It wasn’t our best game,” Ravens coach Ed Rosin said. “But I’ve got a bunch of winners in that locker room. They’re tough. They compete. That’s what separates us.”

Kentridge closed out the second quarter on a 7-2 run and leads Mariner, 31-25, at halftime.

Halftime stats:
Kentridge
Shaquielle McKissic 11 points
Laron Daniels 7 points
Gary Bell 6 points

Mariner
Tevin Dillon 8 points
Ayanle Yusuf 7 points

Moses Lake's girls leads South Kitsap 24-15 with three minutes left in the second quarter.

Kentridge has an 18-15 lead over Mariner at the end of the first quarter. The Chargers surged to an 18-10 advantage on the strength of a Gary Bell 3-pointer and Shaquielle McKissic dunk, but the Marauders were able to limit the damage.

Benji Bryant’s jumper at the buzzer vaulted No. 10 Inglemoor to a 42-40 win over Roosevelt and a spot in the quarterfinals for the first time in school history.

“I knew we had to hurry because we had no timeouts and not a lot of time,” Bryant said. “I put up the shot and knew it was good.”

Bryant, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, swished the 14-footer seconds after Roosevelt’s Louis Voorhees tied the score on a reverse lay-in.

Bryant led the Vikings (18-6) with 14 points and forward Todd Campbell added 12. For the Roughriders (14-12), River Voorhees scored 14 and Kai Hoyt added 13.

Inglemoor will face the winner of the Kentridge-Mariner game in the quarterfinals at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Roosevelt will play the loser of that game at 9 a.m. Thursday in a loser-out game.

Inglemoor's Benji Bryant reacts after hitting the game-winning shot at the buzzer.

Photo credit: Joe Barrentine, The News Tribune

Inglmoor escapes the first round with 42-40 win over Roosevelt. What a finish.

Benji Bryany swished a pull-up jumper with .6 seconds left on the clock that broke the tie. Seconds earlier, Roosevelt's Louis Voorhees went the length of the court and tied the score with an reverse layin with 7 seconds remaining.

The Vikings will play the winner of the Mariner-Kentridge game.

Inglemoor is up 30-28 at the start of the fourth quarter.

Riverside's girls are still up 32-22 with 5:30 left in the third quarter.

Auburn Riverside's girls leads Eastlake 32-22 at halftime. If the Ravens win, they will play the winner of the South Kitsap-Moses Lake contest.

On the boys court, Inglemoor is clinging to a 21-20 lead with 5:09 left in the third quarter.

Inglemoor leads Roosevelt 17-14 at halftime of the first boys game of the day.

Inglemoor's Todd Campbell leads all players with 8 points. Three Roughriders -- River Voorhees, Louis Voorhees and Kai Hoyt -- have scored four points each.

Auburn Riverside is distancing itself from Eastlake, leading 16-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Auburn Riverside's Amanda Thomson tries to split Eastlake's Ellie Martinez (33) and Jena Boyle (5).

On the boys court, we've got a scoring-fest. Inglemoor leads Roosevelt 12-10 with 3:38 to go in the second quarter.

Inglemoor and Roosevelt are tied, 6-6, at the end of the first quarter.

Over on the girls' court, Eastlake and Auburn Riverside are tied, 8-8, with 2:40 left in the first quarter.

We've got Inglemoor-Roosevelt playing on te boys court and Eastlake-Auburn Riverside on the girls court.

I see TNT photographer Lui Kit Wong, who says he's going to try and shoot EVERY boys and girls game today, and TNT multi-media guru Joe Barrentine are here. Joe is going to be putting together slideshows and video highlights of each game. The narration will be done by yours truly or one of the other TNT reporters we've got lined up to cover the tournament.

I'll be posting scoring updates during the games, stories on each shortly after the games end and some video interviews with players.

So check back often.

Boys
First Round
Bellevue Christian over Highland
Winlock over Brewster
Vashon over Ilwaco
Lake Roosevelt over Columbia Burbank
Chelan over Naches Valley
King’s over Kalama
Castle Rock over Seattle Academy
Port Townsend over Granger

The Winlock-Brewster and Port Townsend-Granger games were the hardest to make a decision about. I almost took Highland over Bellevue Christian, too.

Quarterfinals
Winlock over Bellevue Christian
Vashon over Lake Roosevelt
Chelan over King’s
Port Townsend over Castle Rock

Lake Roosevelt seems capable of scoring an upset here, but Vashon is just too tough. The biggest challenge for the Pirates, in my opinion, is them believing that they are a state championship-caliber team after the disappointing ends to their last few seasons. If Vashon has cleared the past out of the memory banks, then nothing should stop them.

Semifinals
Vashon over Winlock
Chelan over Port Townsend

Two really good semifinals here. Winlock is good enough to beat Vashon, but the Pirates will find a way.

Finals
Vashon over Chelan

Pirates beat them once already in the SunDome; that’s a big confidence builder.

Girls
First Round
Connell over Chelan
Onalaska over Vashon
Lynden Christian over Rainier
Granger over Cascade
Freeman over La Center
Columbia Burbank over Bellevue Christian
Zillah over King’s
Seattle Christian over Toledo

These picks are pretty straight-forward. Vashon might be able to upset Onalaska

Quarterfinals
Connell over Onalaska
Lynden Christian over Granger
Freeman over Columbia Burbank
Seattle Christian over Zillah

Zillah is definitely capable of toppling Seattle Christian. But Lynden Christian, Seattle Christian and Freeman have seemingly been playing at a level above everyone else all season that I’m sticking with those three.

Semifinals
Lynden Christian over Connell
Seattle Christian over Freeman

I can already hear the griping about an all-private school final.

Finals
Lynden Christian over Seattle Christian

LC coach Curt De Haan adds to his already-impressive state title haul.

Four straight days of state tournament basketball begins tomorrow. And The News Tribune's sports, photo and multi-media departments will be all over it.

Unless you're at the Tacoma Dome, you won't be able to feel like you're in the middle of the action anywhere else. If you do go to the games, you'll probably want to check out some of the following when you get home.

Here's what we'll be doing:

-- Posting in-game scoring updates and analysis right here on this blog.

-- Posting stories and box scores from EVERY game on this page.

-- Posting video interviews with players and coaches after games.

-- Posting interesting news and notes on this blog that we've gleaned.

-- TNT photographer Lui Kit Wong will add to this incredibly impressive photo gallery. How cool is it? It's one of the biggest attractions at our Web site.

-- TNT multi-media guru Joe Barrentine will be shooting video of the games and turning them into 30-second highlight clips with narration. We will post these clips right here on this blog.

It's going to be fun. See you at the dome.

If you want to stay up on the 1A state tournament, I encourage you to check out the Yakima Herald-Republic's site TourneyTown.com. They do a great job of posting scores and updates.

Here are this week's prep rankings. These will be the final 4A and 1A rankings of the season. We'll have a final batch of 3A and 2A rankings next Monday.

Class 4A
Boys
1. Federal Way
2. Eisenhower
3. Garfield
4. Decatur
5. Foss
6. Gonzaga Prep
7. Kentridge
8. Curtis
9. Walla Walla
10. Inglemoor

Girls
1. Pasco
2. Kentwood
3. Lewis and Clark
4. Snohomish
5. Auburn Riverside
6. Moses Lake
7. Federal Way
8. Bellarmine Prep
9. Issaquah
10. Eastlake

CLASS 3A
Boys
1. Franklin
2. Bellevue
3. Enumclaw
4. Shadle Park
5. Rainier Beach
6. Lakes
7. Seattle Prep
8. Columbia River
9. Foster
10. Union

Girls
1. Kennedy
2. Prairie
3. Franklin
4. White River
5. Shadle Park
6. Holy Names
7. Yakima West Valley
8. Hanford
9. Meadowdale
10. Yelm

CLASS 2A
Boys
1. Squalicum
2. Mark Morris
3. River Ridge
4. North Mason
5. Wapato
6. Spokane West Valley
7. Burlington-Edison
8. Archbishop Murphy
9. Pullman
10. Quincy

Girls
1. Prosser
2. Archbishop Murphy
3. Black Hills
4. Pullman
5. Lynden
6. Hockinson
7. Kingston
8. Clarkston
9. Othello
10. Yakima East Valley

CLASS 1A
Boys
1. Vashon
2. Port Townsend
3. Winlock
4. Chelan
5. King’s
6. Granger
7. Brewster
8. Lake Roosevelt
9. Bellevue Christian
10. Castle Rock

Girls
1. Lynden Christian
2. Seattle Christian
3. Freeman
4. Zillah
5. Connell
6. Onalaska
7. Chelan
8. Vashon
9. Bellevue Christian
10. Toledo

I've gone through the boys and girls state tournament brackets and made my picks. Feel free to make yours.

4A Boys state tournament

First Round
Inglemoore over Roosevelt
Kentridge over Mariner
Federal Way over Redmond
Walla Walla over Beamer
Eisenhower over Curtis
Foss over Mountlake Terrace
Decatur over Gonzaga Prep
Garfield over Lake Stevens

Not a lot of surprises there. I did consider picking Beamer to topple Walla Walla. And if Curtis is hitting its 3-pointers they've definitely got a defense the give any team fits. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gonzaga Prep win this game. And that would really ruin my bracket.

Quarterfinals
Kentridge over Inglemoor
Federal Way over Walla Walla
Eisenhower over Foss
Decatur over Garfield

Picking Eisenhower over Foss was difficult, but I won't be surprised if the Falcons win. I could be absolutely wrong picking Decatur to beat Garfield, too. But I can only pick one team to win. Kentridge's guard tandem of Gary Bell and Shaquille McKissic is tremendous and coach Dave Jamison has taken teams deep into the state tournament before.

Semifinals
Federal Way over Kentridge
Decatur over Eisenhower

Any of these four teams -- and a few from the quarterfinals -- are capable of winning a state title. This is just a gut instinct.

Finals
Decatur over Federal Way

Yes, I've got Decatur beating Federal Way for the first time in three tries this season. When these teams played two weeks ago, it went to double-overtime! FW point guard Michael Hale III is as clutch as they come and the Eagles have a slew of talented guards and one of the best forwards in the tournament in Cole Dickerson. But I think Decatur guards Marcus Tibbs and Jerron Smith, plus forwards Cam Schilling and Jordan McCloud will be eager to prove they can beat their rivals.

Picking Decatur to win, let alone get to the title game, is a big risk. The Gators have the worst draw of any team. They could potentially face teams ranked six, three, two and one in this tournament.

4A Girls state tournament

First round
Auburn Riverside over Eastlake
Moses Lake over South Kitsap
Snohomish over Bellarmine Prep
Garfield over Newport
Pasco over Mount Tahoma
Kentwood over Kamiak
Issaquah over Jackson
Lewis & Clark over Federal Way

The Snohomish-Bellarmine Prep game was the hardest to pick. The Lions are finally fully healthy after battling injuries for much of the season. I won't be surprised if they find a way to beat Snohomish. Federal Way might be overcome by a more-experienced Tigers squad. But the Eagles are super-talented and young. They will be state title contenders next year.

Quarterfinals
Auburn Riverside over Moses Lake
Snohomish over Garfield
Pasco over Kentwood
Lewis & Clark over Issaquah

The key for Auburn Riverside is finding an answer to defend WSU-bound center Carly Noyes. Ravens forward Kat Cooper will likely have to play a big game. If Kentwood's Lindsey Moore is even at 90 percent, I'd pick the Conquerors to win this game. Kentwood is incredibly unselfish and plays with such a cohesiveness. But running up against undefeated and No. 1 Pasco, which presses on defense, might be too much.

Semifinals
Auburn Riverside over Snohomish
Pasco over Lewis & Clark

Auburn Riverside beat Snohomish earlier this season fairly handily. This Pasco pick over LC is pure speculation. I've read quite a bit about these teams and talked to coaches about them, but have not seen either play.

Finals
Pasco over Auburn Riverside

Pasco completes the undefeated season.

BY DOUG PACEY
doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com

Garfield coach Ed Haskins left the draw for the Class 4A boys basketball state tournament feeling good about one thing.

“We’re excited about the time,” the 1990 Clover Park graduate said, referring to his team’s 8:30 p.m. tip-off on Wednesday night at the Tacoma Dome.

Haskins wasn’t pleased that his third-ranked Bulldogs, the KingCo League champions, were placed in an incredibly loaded bottom half of the bracket.

No. 1 Federal Way is in the top half of the bracket, but teams ranked Nos. 2-6 all reside in the bottom half, making for some potentially fantastic first- and second-round matchups.

No ranked teams will square off in any of the first-round games in the top half of the bracket, but that will happen twice in the bottom half. Eighth-ranked Curtis meets No. 2 Eisenhower at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and No. 6 Gonzaga Prep plays No. 4 Decatur at 7 p.m.

Haskins wasn’t the only coach that felt like he was staring at a four-day gauntlet. Fourth-ranked Decatur could face the sixth-, third-, second- and first-ranked teams in successive games.

“We got a pretty tough draw,” Gators coach Kevin Olson said. “We just have to take care of business one day at a time.”

Curtis coach Tim Kelly said he’s familiar with Eisenhower because his Vikings have played the Cadets in off-season leagues and at camps.

“I know a little bit,” he said. “We both were at the University of Idaho team camp. And they have a great coach in Pat Fitterer.”

The Curtis-Eisenhower game is the only first-round contest that features two head coaches that have won state titles. Kelly won back-to-back 4A titles in 2001 and 2002 when he coached Lincoln and Fitterer led Sehome to the 1995 4A championship.

The winner of that game will play either No. 5 Foss or Mountlake Terrace in the quarterfinals.

Fifth-ranked Foss, which is in the same quarter-bracket as Curtis and Eisenhower, will meet Mountlake Terrace in the first round.

Federal Way, which is as close to a favorite as this tournament has, will play Redmond in the first round. The Eagles have a potential quarterfinal matchup with Beamer, the third Federal Way School District team in the field. But the state tournament-newbie Titans must first get past Walla Walla. If you’re looking for a Cinderella team in the field, Beamer is it.

“We’re playing really well,” first-year Beamer coach Brent Brilhante said. “We’ve won five of our last six and winning three straight loser-out games is tough in itself.”

In the two morning games, No. 10 Inglemoor plays Roosevelt at 9 a.m. in a meeting of two KingCo teams. Seventh-ranked Kentridge, which is making its third straight trip to state, will face Northwest District champion Mariner at 10:30 a.m.

Doug Pacey: 253-597-8271

blogs.thenewstribune.com/preps

BY DOUG PACEY
doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com

Federal Way coach Danny Graham won’t have to wait long to see what his team is made of.

The Eagles are making the first trip the Class 4A girls basketball state tournament in 11 seasons and will face three-time defending champion Lewis & Clark in the first round on Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome.

“They are everything that we’re not,” Graham said of the Tigers.

Seventh-ranked Federal Way and No. 3 Lewis & Clark were slotted in the loaded bottom half of the bracket that includes the top three ranked teams – No. 1 Pasco, No. 2 Kentwood and No. 3 Lewis and Clark.

“The lower bracket is definitely stacked,” said Mount Tahoma coach Calvin McHenry, whose Thunderbirds drew Pasco in the opening round.

The Bulldogs reached the semifinals last season, but to get there again Pasco might have to go through No. 2 Kentwood in the quarterfinals. The Conquerors will play Kamiak in the first round.

But the big question surrounding Kentwood isn’t if it can win the state title, it’s “Will Lindsey Moore play?” Possibly the best player in the state, Moore injured her hamstring at practice on Thursday and didn’t play in the West Central District title game on Saturday – Kentwood lost, 52-50, to Auburn Riverside. Coach Keith Hennig said Moore will not participate in practice this week, giving her as much time as possible to heal what he said was a “slightly torn” hamstring.

“The trainer said she can play on it,” Hennig said. “But she could run the risk of having a complete tear.”

The top half of the bracket has a pair of games pitting ranked teams. Tenth-ranked Eastlake plays No. 5 Auburn Riverside at 9 a.m. and No 8 Bellarmine Prep meets No. 4 Snohomish at noon.

Auburn Riverside is going for its third straight state title, but first in 4A – the Ravens won back-to-back 3A championships in 2007 and 2008.

First-year coach Ed Rosin said he was pleased with the Ravens’ draw. A potential matchup with No. 6 Moses Lake looms in the quarterfinals.

“We saw Moses Lake when they played at our tournament (in December),” he said. “We got a good look at them and they’re a good team.”

Bellarmine Prep coach Kevin Meines hopes there’s a reversal of fortune of last season’s first-round meeting with Snohomish that saw the Panthers win.

“We played this game in the first round last year at the same time,” Meines said. “The only thing different is that we’re the visiting team. Hopefully the visiting team will win this time, too.”

Doug Pacey: 253-597-8271

blogs.thenewstribune.com/preps

Here are the 4A top-10 rankings. Working on a couple state draw stories right now and will post the 1A-3A rankings on Monday.

Class 4A
Boys
1. Federal Way
2. Eisenhower
3. Garfield
4. Decatur
5. Foss
6. Gonzaga Prep
7. Kentridge
8. Curtis
9. Walla Walla
10. Inglemoor

Girls
1. Pasco
2. Kentwood
3. Lewis and Clark
4. Snohomish
5. Auburn Riverside
6. Moses Lake
7. Federal Way
8. Bellarmine Prep
9. Issaquah
10. Eastlake

CLASS 4A GIRLS

9 a.m. – Eastlake vs. Auburn Riverside

10:30 a.m. – South Kitsap vs. Moses Lake

12:30 p.m. – Bellarmine Prep vs. Snohomish

2 p.m. – Garfield vs. Newport

3:30 p.m. – Mount Tahoma vs. Pasco

5 p.m. –Kamiak vs. Kentwood

7 p.m. – Jackson vs. Issaquah

8:30 p.m. – Lewis and Clark vs. Federal Way

CLASS 4A BOYS

9 a.m. – Inglemoor vs. Roosevelt

10:30 a.m. – Kentridge vs. Mariner

12:30 p.m. – Redmond vs. Federal Way

2 p.m. – Beamer vs. Walla Walla

3:30 p.m. – Curtis vs. Eisenhower

5 p.m. – Mountlake Terrace vs. Foss

7 p.m. – Gonzaga Prep vs. Decatur

8:30 p.m. – Lake Stevens vs. Garfield

9 a.m. – Bellevue Christian vs. Highland

10:30 a.m. – Brewster vs. Winlock

12:30 p.m. – Ilwaco vs. Vashon

2 p.m. – Columbia Burbank vs. Lake Roosevelt

4 p.m. – Naches Valley vs. Chelan

5:30 p.m. – Kalama vs. King’s

7:30 p.m. – Castle Rock vs. Seattle Academy

9 p.m. – Port Townsend vs. Granger

Starts Wednesday at Yakima SunDome

9 a.m. – Chelan vs. Connell

10:30 a.m. – Vashon vs. Onalaska

12:30 p.m. – Rainier vs. Lynden Christian

2 p.m. – Granger vs. Cascade

4 p.m. – La Center vs. Freeman

5:30 p.m. – Columbia Burbank vs. Bellevue Christian

7:30 p.m. – King’s vs. Zillah

9 p.m. –Toledo vs. Seattle Christian

The Class 4A state draw begings at 3 p.m. and the 1A draw is at 1 p.m. I'll be at the draw in Renton and will post the brackets as soon as they are determined.

In the meantime, I pulled the draw procedure from the WIAA Web site:

BRACKET DEFINITIONS

The total tournament first round bracket includes games 1-8. The top half bracket includes games 1-4, the bottom half bracket includes games 5-8. The quarter brackets are as
follows: games 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8.

A modified allocation formula will be followed to determine the #1 teams, with each WIAA District guaranteed a #1 team if that District is allocated at least one (1) team. If Districts elect to combine forqualification purposes, each District will still receive a #1 team. Districts that combine during the regular season would be considered a single District and would receive only one #1 team.

1. The “true” #1 teams from each WIAA District will be drawn first to determine in which half bracket they will be drawn, with an equal number of “true” #1 teams in each half bracket when possible.

1a. The first draw will be to determine into which half bracket, top or bottom half, the first “true” #1 team shall be drawn.

1b. The district with the most #1 teams shall be drawn first, followed in succession by the districts with fewer #1 teams.

1c. The “true” #1 teams shall be drawn into half brackets, alternating top then bottom, or bottom then top, until all “true” #1 teams have been drawn.

1d. As each “true” #1 team is drawn into the top or bottom half bracket, the #2 team from that district will be placed into the opposite half bracket.

1.d.1. With three (3) allocations, the #3 team may be drawn into either half bracket.

1.d.2. With four (4) or more allocations, #1 and #4 will be drawn into the same half bracket; #2 and #3 will be drawn into the same half bracket; any additional allocations may be drawn into either half bracket with an even number, if possible, into each half bracket.

1.d.3. When a District has three (3) or more allocations, they will be drawn into separate quarter brackets if possible.

2. The “true” #1 teams shall be drawn to determine the home team for Games 1-4 and then Games 5-8.

2a. If there are four (4) or fewer “true” #1 teams, they will be drawn into different quarter brackets.

3. Since there are fewer than eight (8) “true” #1 teams, a modified allocation formula will be applied to determine the additional #1 teams. The modified allocation formula will be based upon the number of schools participating in each District/combined District.

3a. The additional #1 teams will then be drawn to fill in as the home team for Games 1-4 and then Games 5-8.

4. The remaining teams will then be drawn as the visiting teams for Games 1-8.

5. No two (2) teams from the same District shall play against each other in the first round.