The Stanwood girls basketball team began to doubt itself after losing three straight games in the middle of the season. Edmonds-Woodway, meanwhile, wasn’t expected to do much of anything in the postseason after losing its star player, Missy Peterson, to injury.
But the Spartans and Warriors overcame those obstacles and found a way to pick up victories when they needed them most.
Both squads clinched berths to the regional round of the 3A state tournament with wins Saturday in District 1 tournament consolation contests at Jackson High School. Stanwood crushed Shorewood 67-25, and Edmonds-Woodway defeated Shorecrest 43-35.
Because the Spartans are fifth in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association RPI rankings, they’ll move on to next month’s Hardwood Classic regardless of the outcome of their regional contest.
Stanwood 67, Shorewood 25
Stanwood used its depth to overwhelm a short-handed Shorewood team, outscoring the Thunderbirds 58-15 over the final three quarters.
Shorewood once again played without its best player, Washington State signee Taryn Shelley, who missed the Thunderbirds’ three playoff games after contracting mononucleosis.
“It wasn’t easy losing Taryn, but in basketball, that’s what can happen sometimes. Life happens. You can’t control it,” Shorewood coach Mark Haner said. “I was happy with our effort (Saturday), even though the scoreboard doesn’t necessarily show it.”
Spartans coach Dennis Kloke said he believes his team has returned to the level it reached earlier in the season, when it won its first 12 games, beating teams such as Glacier Peak and Lake Stevens along the way.
“(This win) takes the pressure off,” Kloke said. “The pressure was building once we got off to a successful start, and the expectations went up. We lost the three games (in the middle of the season), but we’re a different team now. We’re much better in the half-court.”
Kaitlin Larson led four Stanwood players in double figures with 18 points.
“We knew that (Shelley not playing) would be a game-changer,” Spartans guard Ashley Bierer said. “But we didn’t want to play down. When we lost to Shorewood (earlier in the season), it destroyed us mentally. But once we got out of the slump, our spirits boosted.”
Edmonds-Woodway 43, Shorecrest 35
The Warriors outscored the Scots 15-8 in the second quarter to take a 22-14 halftime lead, then held late on in the fourth quarter after Shorecrest cut the lead to five with 2 minutes, 45 seconds remaining.
“We kept up the intensity. We were filled with so much excitement and emotion,” Edmonds-Woodway wing Marivel Ortega said. “We communicated (on defense), boxed out strong and didn’t let up.”
Edmonds-Woodway has won seven of its past 10 games without Peterson, out for the season with a foot injury.
“We used (the doubts) as motivation,” Warriors coach Jon Rasmussen said. “The coaching staff believed in what we still had here, but maybe our opponents didn’t believe how good we were. Our girls could’ve quit after Missy went down, but they bonded together and gained confidence.”
The Scots played Saturday without starting guard Amanda Lee, out with a sprained ankle.
“We just ran out of bodies,” Shorecrest coach Dori Monson said. “We had to play some girls at different spots than they’re used to. But that’s not an excuse. Edmonds-Woodway played well.”
4A DISTRICT
Kamiak 47, Lake Stevens 44
MILL CREEK — Kamiak topped Lake Stevens 47-44 in a 4A district winner-to-state game behind two late-game 3-pointers from Kate Huguenin, who finished the game with seven points. This marked the fourth time this season the Knights squared off against the Vikings — Lake Stevens won the three games prior.
“This was definitely something that we thought we could do,” said Kamiak head coach Brian Norman. “We just refused to lose (this game)”.
Aliea Marrero, who had two free throws down the stretch to seal the win, was the leading scorer for the Knights with 12 points.
Kamiak will play in the 4A state regional round next weekend.
1B Tri-District
CPC-Mountlake Terrace 37, Rainier Christian 29
TACOMA — Cedar Park Christian-Mountlake Terrace topped Rainier Christian in a winner-to-regionals game. Salome Yosef, who had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Lions, saw double teams all game, CPC-Terrace coach Bill Kelley said.
“She’s double teamed most nights,” Kelley said. “But she just has a great attitude. She doesn’t complain. She gets right back up after she’s knocked down.”
Jamie Copeland added a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Lions.
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