4A State Football Rankings

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Steven Dion

theFinalScore.TV
4A State Football Rankings
By Steve Dion

The regular season has concluded and postseason matchups are set for the first weekend of November. Here are the rankings for the 4A classification.

1) Lake Stevens: 9-0
Hard to not put the Vikings at the top spot when their lowest point total in a game this season is 42 with Lake Jake under center.

2) Gig Harbor: 9-0
The Tides are laden with veteran leadership that is taking the mold of a title contender.

3) Graham–Kapowsin: 9-0
The Eagles edged out Skyline for the second straight season as part of an undefeated regular season.

4) Camas: 9-0
Coach Eagle continues to churn out one of the best teams the state has to offer year after year.

5) Gonzaga Prep: 9-0
Bullpups loaded their schedule and escaped unscathed despite wins against Richland and Bellarmine Prep combining for 9 points.

6) Richland: 8-1
The distinction of the lowest scoring defense in the 4A classification belongs to the Bombers.

7) Skyline: 8-1
Mat Taylor has the talent to shift the Spartans into another gear. Will they find themselves at the Tacoma Dome once again?

8) Olympia: 7-2
The Bears have been impressive with the exception of a hiccup against Gig Harbor followed up by an overtime loss at Bellarmine.

9) Central Valley: 7-2
A win this weekend would double their win total in 2014. They’ll have to get past last season’s runner-up Chiawana to reach the mark.

10) Jefferson: 7-2
Their ability to go toe to toe with Graham-Kapowsin earns the Raiders a top ten spot.

On the Bubble
Battle Ground
Monroe
Moses Lake
Curtis
Kentwood

3A State Football Rankings

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Steven Dion

theFinalScore.TV
3A State Football Rankings
By Steve Dion

The regular season has concluded and postseason matchups are set for the first weekend of November. Here are the rankings for the 3A classification.

1) Eastside Catholic: 8-0
Scary to think the Cru likely hasn’t played their best football yet.

2) Bellevue: 7-1
Chomping at the bit to etch their name back on the 3A trophy.

3) Sumner: 9-0
As if one 1,000 yard rusher wasn’t enough (Wedington), Riley is knocking on the door to be the second Spartan to a grand.

4) Glacier Peak: 8-1
Grizzlies held Bellevue and Arlington well below their scoring averages, a real indicator of this team’s strength.

5) Bishop Blanchet: 8-1
Only blemish on the season a loss at Eastside Catholic. Coach Moore has a talented Braves squad that has seen it all in 2015.

6) Mt.Spokane: 8-1
A final four team last season looking to get back to the latter rounds of the 3A bracket.

7) Arlington: 7-2
The sneaky Eagles fared well against a tough schedule with the lone loss against Bellevue.

8) Lincoln: 9-0
Matsumoto picked up where Kitna left off. They proved their strength against tough teams in the playoffs last year. Can the Abes do it again?

9) Kamiakin: 7-2
Didn’t take a week off all season long as the Braves lit up scoreboard against lesser teams and gave quality opponents all they could handle on the road.

10) O’Dea: 7-2
A debacle at Blanchet was the only setback this season. The Irish won’t be a fun November draw for anyone.

On the Bubble
Ferndale
Oak Harbor
Lakes
Auburn-Mountainview
Juanita

Crusaders Capture Metro Title, Primed for Postseason Run

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Steven Dion

Friday	Oct 30th	2015	3A Metro	Boys	Football
Leon H. Brigham Field at Memorial Stadium	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Eastside Catholic	12	28	0	0	40
Ballard	0	0	0	3	3

See game recap below

Crusaders Capture Metro Title, Primed for Postseason Run
By Steve Dion

The final week of the regular season coincidentally pitted the top two Metro League teams in Eastside Catholic and Ballard for the city championship. For Jeremy Thielbahr and his high-flying Crusaders, this is just step one for a program designed to make another state title run. For Joey Thomas and Ballard, this game served as an opportunity to show how far the Beavers have progressed in a short period of time. Ballard has won as many games in 2015 as they did in the previous two seasons combined. The deck was stacked against the Beavs to go toe to toe with Eastside Catholic, how would they approach the challenge?

Like many opening drives for Eastside Catholic, the result was a touchdown. However, this was a drive that ate up nearly six minutes and pushed the Cru offense to convert on long yardage third and fourth downs. A long pass from Harley Kirsch to Hunter Bryant set up Brandon Wellington for a 3 yard score. The response drive by BHS was stalled at midfield forcing a punt which was not struck well. The short field for ECHS simply allowed them to score their second touchdown faster as Devon Arbis-Jackson hauled in a reception near midfield on a crossing route and took it 65 yards to the house. Ballard was walking on a tight rope at this point. The Beavs were moving up the field with chunks of yardage eaten up by Davine Tullis and Antoine Patton. Unfortunately, the possession took a turn when the ball was coughed up and taken 60 yards the other way by Malik Putney leading to a Tyler Folkes touchdown. The rout was on. By halftime the scoreboard read 40-0.

Joey Thomas deserves a great deal of credit for rallying his team at halftime facing an insurmountable deficit. Ballard would win the second half by preventing the Crusaders from adding to their point total albeit against the depth chart of Eastside Catholic. This game would not be a shutout as Jack Dineen punched a field goal through the uprights in the fourth quarter. With the win, Eastside Catholic demonstrates they have gas in the tank which will propel them in November and likely December. For Ballard, they will also be a postseason team with the experience of facing the state’s finest.

The Final Score:
Eastside Catholic 40, Ballard 3

Archbishop Murphy Routs King’s, Remains Undefeated

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Steven Dion

Friday	Oct 23th	2015	2A/1A	Boys	Football
Woolsey Stadium	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Archbishop Murphy	7	14	14	14	49
King's	0	7	0	0	7

See game recap below

Archbishop Murphy Routs King’s, Remains Undefeated
By Steve Dion

There are two leaders in the Cascade League that have emerged from the rest of the pack and week eight would retain one of two blemish-free records between Archbishop Murphy and King’s. The visiting AM Wildcats entered the ballgame with a remarkable 353-19 scoring tally in the first seven games. Jim Shapiro’s home King’s squad opened the season with an impressive victory over perennial 2A contender Lynden and kept winning. It was senior night for King’s at Woolsey Stadium; would the Knights defend their home field against league rival?

After receiving the opening kickoff, Wildcat tailback Kerry Jackson rumbled 82 yards to the house and gave AMHS an early lead. This immediate strike gave the visitors an upper hand off the bat and would serve as a catalyst for the remainder of the contest. Midway through the first, the Knight’s defended a fake punt by AM in Wildcat territory. Would the Knight’s make them pay? Nope. Anfernee Gurley intercepted a Knight’s pass thirty seconds later and was rewarded with a 10 yard touchdown pass by Connor Johnson on the first play of the second quarter. King’s put together a scoring drive set up by a Jake Welch pick that allowed Andrew Cline to pound the rock into the endzone and bring the score to 21-7. Archbishop Murphy didn’t blink. Kerry Jackson scored another touchdown minutes later after steamrolling a King’s defender at the goal line. At the half, the visitor led 21-7.

The opening drive for King’s in the second half seemed important to set the tone for the remainder of the ball game. Unfortunately, they were unable to move the sticks and were forced to punt immediately. The Wildcats put the game out of reach on the ensuing drive when Jackson completed the hat trick on another touchdown run. The rout was in full effect as Archbishop Murphy recorded 21 more points before the final whistle. With a 49-7 final score, Archbishop Murphy has emerged as the clear favorite in the Cascade League. However, King’s has the ability to steer the ship back in the right direction moving forward. They need to get some key starters healthy and put this fluky loss behind them.

The Final Score:
Archbishop Murphy 49, King’s 7

Kentwood Maintains Divisional Dominance

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Steven Dion

Friday	Oct 16th	2015	4A SPSL	Boys	Football
French Field	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Eastside Catholic	14	21	13	6	54
Bishop Blanchet	6	0	0	0	6

See game recap below

Kentwood Maintains Divisional Dominance
By Steve Dion

The Conks have been a force to be reckoned with for several years and have established themselves once again as a top dog in the 4A classification. However, the other Kent schools that share French Field appear to be gradually closing the gap. Kent-Meridian stepped up to the plate with an opportunity to grab a crucial win against the division-leading Conquerors. The pregame events concluded with a firework show and proved to be a symbol for the style of game out of the chutes.

Within the first four minutes, there were three interceptions. This frenetic start for both offenses led to limited production early on. KW struck first as senior tailback Isaiah Williams moved the chains several times and was rewarded with the game’s first points. He deceived the KM defense by acting as a blocker on as quarterback Brian Campbell shifted to the left. Williams broke toward the left and Campbell found him uncovered and a short 5 yards from the endzone for six points. Kent-Meridian received a boost by Shamar Malik-Woollery as the running back/defensive back combo made an impact on both sides of the field. He took an interception back into deep Kentwood territory, but the Royals failed to capitalize. These would be the only points of the first half as the Royals failed to challenge the Conks red zone defense.

Kentwood’s Connor Benson took the opening kickoff of the second half 80 yards which eventually set up Campbell for a 3 yard quarterback sneak touchdown. Davonte Sanchez led the Conqueror defense with a toughness that limited KMHS offensive success. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter when Kent-Meridian punched it in to avoid the shutout, but the fate of the game was sealed. The Conks secured a comfortable 28-7 victory and continue to dominate the SPSL Northeast division in 2015.

The Final Score:
Kentwood 28, Kent-Meridian 7

Student-Athlete Interview with Tumwater’s Cade Otton

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Steven Dion

2015 Varsity Football Live Interview
Tumwater Thunderbirds – Junior
Cade Otton

Grandson of longtime Tumwater head coach Sid Otton and current junior for the T-Birds Cade Otton talks to Dick Fain about his high school football experience thus far. He also discusses his involvement with Shirts Across America and the positive takeaways he had from his time with the organization that is focused on helping those affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

To catch the complete radio interview with Tumwater Junior Cade Otton, simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.

Coach Interview with Tumwater Head Coach Sid Otton

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Steven Dion

2015 Varsity Football Live Coach Interview
Tumwater Thunderbirds – Head Football Coach
Sid Otton

The winningest head coach in Washington high school football history Sid Otton joins Dick Fain for a few minutes to talk about his 2015 team and the successful Tumwater program over the years. He also chats about his Grandson Cade whom currently plays for the T-Birds and makes him proud on and off the field. This is a must-listen interview with a local legend.

To catch the complete radio interview with Tumwater Coach Sid Otton, simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.

Coach Interview with Lake Stevens’ Head Coach Tom Tri

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Steven Dion

2015 Varsity Football Live Coach Interview
Lake Stevens Vikings – Head Football Coach
Tom Tri

Lake Stevens has emerged as a top 4A team in 2015 led by Georgia commit Jacob Eason as the Vikings will strive to improve on their elite 8 finish in 2014. Dick Fain catches up with head coach Tom Tri as he talks about his playmakers and expecatations this season.

To catch the complete radio interview with Lake Stevens Coach Tom Tri, simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.

Eastside Catholic Remains Unscathed, Tops Blanchet on Senior Night

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Steven Dion

Friday	Oct 9th	2015	3A	Boys	Football
Acosta Field	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Eastside Catholic	14	21	13	6	54
Bishop Blanchet	6	0	0	0	6

See game recap below

Eastside Catholic Remains Unscathed, Tops Blanchet on Senior Night
By Steve Dion

First year coach of Bishop Blanchet Kyle Moore led his team to one of the biggest wins in program history in week five of the 2015 campaign as they knocked off O’Dea for the first time in over two decades. The Braves were rewarded by putting their 5-0 record on the line against the top team in the state Eastside Catholic at Acosta Field on the plateau. Coach Thielbahr’s Crusaders are firing on all cylinders in the state championship title defense season. Two teams entered the contest undefeated, which record would remain intact?

The home team put their offense on the field following a quick defensive stop and turned the possession into a score by Devon Arbis-Jackson in which the senior wideout shed multiple tackles. The critical drive following this Cru touchdown was highly successful for Blanchet as Alex Freeman marched his team down the field and O’Shea Trujillo closed the deal by crossing the goal line shortly after BBHS converted on a 4th and 21. Minutes later, Harley Kirsch found himself in the endzone after a 4-yard quarterback sneak to put ECHS up by 8. The Crusader defense started to clamp down on the green and yellow clad Braves as linebacker Noah Failauga among others controlled the middle of the field. A 62 yard punt return for touchdown by captain Jonathan Webster extended the Eastside Catholic lead and the blowout was starting to take form.

Missed opportunities for Blanchet such as not recovering a fumble forced on their 1 yard line played into their inability to keep pace with the state champs. Trailing 35-6 at the break, the fate of the game was virtually sealed as Kirsch and Co. entered halftime on a 6-yard touchdown run at the buzzer.

The lopsided matchup continued into the second half as the home squad would log 19 more points for a total of 54. What’s more is the Crusader defense disallowed any second half points for Blanchet. With the win, EC will likely run the table in league play with bigger goals in mind during late November and early December. Blanchet will retain its position in the second tier of Metro and fight for seeding once postseason play begins.

The Final Score: Eastside Catholic 54 Bishop Blanchet 6

Blanchet Ends 22-Year Winless Streak to O’Dea in Comeback Fashion

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Steven Dion

Friday	Oct. 2	2015	3A	Boys	Football
Bishop Blanchet High School	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Bishop Blanchet	7	0	0	26	33
O'Dea	0	14	7	0	21

Blanchet Ends 22-Year Winless Streak to O’Dea in Comeback Fashion
By Steve Dion

All good things come to an end. For the O’Dea Fighting Irish, their 22-year streak of victories against league opponent Bishop Blanchet did just that Friday night. A large crowd amassed at BBHS to see two undefeated Metro teams battle to maintain a blemish-free record. The home crowd would be rewarded for staying a full four quarters.

BBHS nearly scored early in the game as quarterback Alex Freeman was approaching the endzone coughed up the ball and was smothered by an O’Dea defender for a touchback. However, the defense held strong for first-year Braves Head Coach Kyle Moore. Freeman was able to avenge the early turnover when he connected with Jamiek Satterwhite for a 17 yard strike. O’Dea woke up after that score as their quarterback Nathan West’s nerves appeared to settle down. He matched Blanchet’s touchdown with a 17 yard dart to Sam Sanchez and followed that up with a 21 yard pass to Race Porter following a Blanchet fumble. The Irish carried a 14-7 lead into the half.

An interesting coaching decision that proved successful for the Braves was staying on the field during the intermission. It appeared that Blanchet’s players were gassed and Moore chose to refrain from making his team schlep down the hill into the team locker room.
This payed dividends early as a renewed sense of green and gold energy resulted in an interception by Ryan Howard. Unfortunately, the offense stalled and were forced to give the ball back up. Monte Kohler’s troops responded with a sustained drive that culminated with a 1-yard quarterback sneak by West which was set up by multiple strong runs by tailback Hunter Franco. That would be the Fighting Irish’s last points of the game.

The Braves began their improbable rally by finding the endzone to bring it back within a score. They would then recover a pair of onside kicks and fumble recovery for touchdown. But a lead was not enough. After taking over with a six minutes remaining, the Braves tacked on another touchdown for good measure to secure a 34-21 victory and end to a streak older than any player on the field!

The Final Score: Bishop Blanchet 33 O’Dea 21

Cascade Christian Prevails in Clash of Nisqually Against Seamount

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Steven Dion

Friday	Sept. 25	2015	1A/2A	Boys	Football
Renton High School	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Cascade Christian	0	21	7	7	35
Lindbergh	7	7	0	7	21

Cascade Christian Prevails in Clash of Nisqually Against Seamount
By Steve Dion

Week 4 of the high school gridiron season included an intriguing non-league game between the defending 1A champions Cascade Christian and rising Seamount squad Lindbergh. The setting was Renton Memorial Stadium featuring the airport in the backdrop where undefeated LHS played host.

The game broke out with a slow start as each team struggled to move the ball fluidly. The first big play of the game was an interception by Eagle cornerback Steve Celis. The home team would eventually capitalize on the momentum of the pick when Anthony Walker took a sweep 58 yards to the house. It wasn’t until the second quarter when the visiting Cougars woke up. Senior tailback/defensive back combo Zach Bartolome rumbled up the gut for a 20 yard touchdown run to tie it up. Later, he forced a fumble and turned it into a 48-yard score and the lead ten seconds later. Needing a response to swing the momentum in their favor, Lindbergh capped off a long drive with a 6 yard scamper to the goal line by DeMarco Sauls. Before the half, Evan Patrick grabbed the lead at 21-14 when he took a 3 yard run to the end zone.

When the teams took the field for the second half, the rain started to fall onto the turf and the pace quieted down. Cascade Christian used extended possession to wind down the clock and continue to build their lead. Madden Tobeck put the Cougs up two possessions on a 1 yard goal line push. The inability of Lindbergh to establish an aerial attack allowed the CCHS defense to load up in the box and pressure Samuel Nehren. Lindbergh made a late charge with a fourth quarter score, but eventually allowed Cascade Christian to put a stamp on the contest with their fifth touchdown of the game. Both teams will carry a 3-1 record heading into next week.

The Final Score: Cascade Christian 35 Lindbergh 21

Bellevue Gets Back to Winning with Islander Shutout

Posted on September 19, 2015 by Steven Dion

Friday	Sept. 18	2015	3A	Boys	Football
Mercer Island High School	Final
Bellevue	56
Mercer Island	0

Bellevue Gets Back to Winning with Islander Shutout
By Steve Dion

It’s rare that Bellevue heads into any game with a two game losing streak. Friday night was one of those exceptions as the Wolverines were looking to get back into the win column as the 2014 state championship game and ’15 season opener with Bishop Gorman from Nevada were primed to be put in the rear view mirror. The challenger to this proposition would be rival Mercer Island who found themselves tied 21 apiece when they played at Bellevue last year before eventually losing.

The game started in familiar Wolverine fashion as a quick forced 3 and out on defense was followed by a 55 yard receiving touchdown by Tyson Penn on their first play from scrimmage. This was followed by another forced punt and 35 yard dart thrown by Justus Rodgers to Isaiah Gilchrist up the middle on 4th and six to put BHS up by 14 early. The onslaught had begun. The inability for the Islanders to gain an upper hand on the field position battle left them susceptible to allowing more scoring by the hungry Wolverines. After touchdown runs by Ercle Terrell and Christoph Hirota, Bellevue led 28-0 at the half.

More of the same continued in the final two frames as Justus Rogers scored on a QB keeper adding to the lead and further sealing the fate of the contest. The Islanders fought hard and the Mercer Island faithful showed up loud and proud, but they were unable to find the scoreboard.

The Final Score: Bellevue 56 Mercer Island 0.

Skyline Stuns Eagles in Season Opener

Posted on September 5, 2015 by Steven Dion

Friday	Sept. 4	2015	4A	Boys	Football
Issaquah High School	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	OT	Final
Skyline	0	7	7	14	3	31
Issaquah	0	7	14	7	0	28

Skyline Stuns Eagles in Season Opener
By Steve Dion

Football season is back and the first Friday night of high school gridiron action featured a classic KingCo rivalry matchup between Issaquah and Skyline. The Spartans have had the upper hand against their plateau foe for over a decade and the Eagles were primed to turn the tides in front a capacity crowd on the premises of Gary Moore Stadium.

A slow pace of play dictated the entirety of the contest as both sides incorporated a heavy dose of passing and short possessions as the ball exchanged hands frequently. After a scoreless first quarter, Blake Gregory found Logan Wanamaker on a long flare down the left side for a big gain. This set up Rashaad Body for a 9 yard scamper to give the green six. Issaquah responded with a scoring drive of their own which closed with a 9 yard tie-toe grab by Joe Nelson from Cameron Humphrey. The scoreboard read 7-7 at the break.
The home team picked up an early touchdown in the second half, a 2 yard goal line dive by Bryce Hughes. Minutes later, Sparty responded as Gregory crossed the goal line untouched on a quarterback sneak. The ping-pong match continued when Jack Dellinger hauled in a pass by Humphrey on what appeared to be a defensive misread for 72 yards and a 21-14 lead.

Issaquah grabbed a two score lead early in the final frame on another Nelson reception. The Eagles were less than ten minutes from stunning Mat Taylor’s perennial 4A juggernaut. The visitors rallied the troops and drove down the field to set up another rushing touchdown for Boddie. Needing seven to tie the game up and send the game into overtime, Wanamaker did just that on a fourth down conversion with less than a minute remaining.

With a complete shift of momentum to the visitor sideline, Buddy Bland needed to rally his team to a score and a stop. They fell short on step one as a field goal attempt did not split the uprights. It was the Spartans chance to complete the comeback and they were faced with a similar predicament. Jack Crane pounded the pigskin through with his big left leg to seal the improbable victory for Skyline.

The FinalScore – Skyline 31, Issaquah 28.

Top Performers:
Skyline
Rashaad Boddie-2 rushing TDs (9, 30)

Issaquah
Joe Nelson-2 rec TDs (9, 72)

Garfield Ends Rainier Beach’s Reign

Posted on March 10, 2015 by colincarusoZUMA

Garfield Ends Rainier Beach’s Reign
By Colin Caruso

Saturday March 7	2015	Boys	3A	State Final
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Garfield	11	15	18	22	66
Rainier Beach	12	14	15	10	51

Garfield Bulldogs

In a rematch of the Metro championship game, and a matchup of the two best teams in the state of Washington, the stage was set in Tacoma to watch the athleticism unfold between Rainier Beach and Garfield. Both inter-city Seattle schools, both defending state champions (Garfield won 4A last year) with the coveted 3A crown to take home.

The game began with a frantic pace, as it always does with these two teams. Beach got off to a quick lead behind eight first quarter points from star De’Jounte Murray. But the Bulldogs responded on the back of Jaylen Nowell, a sophomore star who responded with seven in the first.

Neither team slowed down in the second quarter; the pace remained at the highest level of the tournament. Even with the extremely fast pace both teams took care of the ball quite well, not allowing the opposition to get easy buckets in transition. Both defenses held firm, and the halftime score was tied at 26.

The Tacoma Dome was electric to start the second half. Neither team was able to pull away in the third quarter, but Garfield appeared to have more control going into the fourth.

After a back and forth third, Garfield held a 44-41 lead entering the final frame.
Shadeed Shabazz started the quarter hot for the Vikings, converting on two straight layups in under 30 seconds to take a one point lead. The teams exchanged baskets, and Garfield continued to attack the basket, getting into the bonus, and knocking down their free throws. With three minutes to play, the Bulldogs held a five point lead.

De’Jounte Murray responded with a beautiful reverse layup, but the Bulldogs answered with a put back layup by Jaylen Nowell. After a Rainier Beach miss, Austin Anderson for the Bulldogs knocked down two more from the line to take a seven point lead, the largest of the game for either team. From there, the Bulldog floodgates opened, ending the game on a 17-2 run.

Congratulations to Garfield, the back to back state champions! This Garfield win ended a Rainier Beach run of three consecutive 3A boys state titles.

Top Performers:
Garfield
Jaylen Nowell – 23 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals
Alphonso Anderson – 17 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks

Rainier Beach
Shadeed Shabazz – 22 points
De’Jounte Murray – 15 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks

Federal Way Wins Mismatch 4A Boys State Title

Posted on March 10, 2015 by colincarusoZUMA

Federal Way Wins Mismatch 4A Boys State Title
By Colin Caruso

Saturday March 7	2015	Boys	4A	State Final
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Davis	16	5	11	14	46
Federal Way	20	12	15	18	65

Federal Way Eagles

Let’s get something straight to start this game. This game was the 4A state final. These two teams met on December 6th and Federal Way beat Davis 88-43. I will write that twice for emphasis. 88-43. At Davis High School. A win for Davis would be the biggest, and I mean biggest, in high school basketball history.

Don’t worry, it didn’t happen.

Davis was outmatched at every position on the floor. Not only outmatched but also significantly outsized. But the Pirates hung tough in the first quarter, only trailing by four after one.

Federal Way was able to extend their lead on the back of poor shooting and questionable execution on offense from the Pirates. They resorted to far too many jump shots and did not run any sets in the half court. There were too many possessions of either one or no passes and then a ridiculous shot. Federal Way led 32-21 at the half.

Federal Way kicked off the second half with an 11-2 run to extend their lead to 20, the largest of the game. That lead would be cut to 15 to end the quarter, 47-32.

Davis would come as close as 12 in the fourth quarter. Hats off to them, this was much more of a contest than their 45 point loss to the Eagles in December. Balanced scoring from the Eagles allowed them to finish off a 65-46 victory.

Top Performer:
Federal Way
Jalen McDaniels – 16 points 8 rebounds

Pivec Leads Lynnwood to State Title Over Defending Champs

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Steven Dion

Pivec Leads Lynnwood to State Title Over Defending Champs
By Steven Dion

Saturday- March 7	2015	Girls	3A	State
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Lynnwood	13	12	12	17	54
Cleveland	15	14	4	9	42

Lynnwood Royals

Championship Saturday at the Tacoma Dome tipped off with a matinee of the 3A girls title game with 2-time defending champs Cleveland and newcomer to the classification recently from 4A in the Lynnwood Royals. It was a remarkable accomplishment that Coach Redd led the Eagles to the final in her first year with the program and major turnover of the roster. Similarly, Coach Edwards has put together a powerhouse that appears to have the pieces to return to the TDome for years to come. The Eagles knocked off familiar foe Bishop Blanchet to earn a spot in the championship game while the Royals took down Bellevue in the semis. In a clash of old guard against the new kid on the block, which squad would raise the hardware?

Lynnwood’s versatile wing Mikayla Pivec kick-started her monster game early by scoring the first dozen points for the Royals which included crafty turnaround jumpers in the paint. Her rebounding prowess was also shown in the opening quarter as the path to a double-double was paved early. The Eagles countered with Aqeelah Williams who continued to heat up as the first half moved along. Pace of play increased in the second quarter and Cleveland benefitted as Jayde Christopher controlled the game speed nicely. Back to back triples by the Giavanni Flowers and Williams pushed the Eagles lead to 27-19 at 2:45 which prompted a Royals timeout. LHS used the remaining minutes of the first half to cut the deficit in half and return to the locker room with a 29-25 score in favor of Cleveland.

When play restarted, Lynnwood used a 6-0 run in under three minutes to make another lead change of the contest in which there were four. This proved to be a turning point in the game because Cleveland went on a major scoring drought which lasted the entirety of the second half. Shots rimmed out and with each miss seemed to dash the confidence of the Eagles. A field goal percentage of 16% in the final sixteen minutes of the game put CHS’ fate in the balance. Lynnwood’s 12-4 scoring edge in the third quarter put them in a good position to secure the victory.

Jordyn Edwards and Kelsey Rogers maintained the Lynnwood momentum by using their defensive pressure to set up offensive production. The pair combined for six defensive rebounds, five steals, and four blocks to keep the high-flying Eagles at bay. Leading 44-36 with a shade under four minutes to go, Cleveland needed a spark.

Myla Hightower answered the call by willing her team to rally and extend the contest. The bulk of her nine points were scored late to cut the margin to a two possession game. A few more defensive stops could make things interesting. However, Pivec eliminated any chance of a comeback by converting on back to back possessions with tip-ins under the cup. These baskets quelled any chance of Lynnwood relinquishing their lead and helped the Royals run the clock down. Before the clock hit triple-zeros, Coach Edwards checked Monty Cooper in who sprained her ankle the day before. The senior limped onto the court and found a spot twelve feet from the basket. In the waning seconds, she received the rock and took the hoisted the final shot of the game. Swish! Lynnwood storms the floor as one of their leaders ends her high school basketball career in a perfect way. The Royals are the new 3A champions.

The Final Score: Lynnwood 54 Cleveland 42

Top Performers:
Lynnwood
Mikayla Pivec-31 points, 17 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists

Cleveland
Aqeelah Williams-14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals

Gonzaga Prep Wins 2 OT State Finals Thriller

Posted on March 10, 2015 by colincarusoZUMA

Gonzaga Prep Wins 2 OT State Finals Thriller
By Colin Caruso

Saturday	March 7	2015	Girls	4A	State	Final
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	OT	2OT	Final
Inglemoor	4	15	14	12	4	3	52
Gonzaga Prep	15	16	12	2	4	8	57

Gonzaga Prep Bullpups

Gonzaga Prep was back in the state finals, defending their title against the Vikings of Inglemoor in 4A girls basketball. This was a classic contest of size vs. speed, with Gonzaga Prep possessing the speed, and Inglemoor living in the paint on both ends of the floor.

Inglemoor star Deja Strother got into foul trouble early, forcing her to sit for a good portion of the first quarter, a first quarter that Gonzaga Prep controlled. Inglemoor had a tough time finding the basket and trailed 15-4 after one.

Inglemoor’s offense opened up in the second quarter, distributing the ball more effectively and getting easy looks at the basket. Strother stayed out of foul trouble and was able to provide 11 points in the first half. But Gonzaga Prep was dominating the pace of play, and it was uptempo. Laura Stockton had eight points in the first half and Otiona Gildon added ten to take a 31-19 lead into the locker room.

Gonzaga Prep slowed their offense down in the third quarter, much to the chagrin of their coach. The speed change allowed Inglemoor to setup in the half court and control the paint. This allowed Inglemoor to go on a 9-2 run to start the quarter. Coach Arte of the Bullpups called a timeout to regroup, and it proved to work. His Bullpups responded and took a 10 point lead into the fourth.

Alex Hagen for the Vikings put in the first eight points of the fourth quarter to electrify the Inglemoor crowd. Down just two, the comeback was on. The run extended to 12-0, and Inglemoor took their first lead of the game. Laura Stockton stopped the bleeding with 30 seconds to go, the Bullpups first points of the quarter. That proved to be the last bucket of regulation and this game went to OT.

The Bullpups struck first in overtime with two free throws, answered by one free throw from the Vikings. With just 1:45 to play, the Bullpups held a one point lead.

The scoring subsided until 30 seconds remaining, when Strother hit a layup and was fouled. She hit the free throw, putting the Vikings up two. Stockton drove the lane on Gonzaga Prep’s next possession and found Gildon for an easy two to tie the game. Double overtime!

Gildon struck first from the line for the Bullpups, hitting one of two. Tayler Drynan followed up with a three for Gonzaga Prep to extend the lead to 4, but the Vikings came right back with a three of their own.

Another one for two trip for the Bullpups, followed by an offensive rebound gave them the ball back with one minute to play. Oona Harrington knocked down a jumper for the Bullpups to go up four, and that jumper would seal it. The Bullpups won 57-52! Congratulations Gonzaga Prep Girls!

Top Performers:
Inglemoor
Deja Strother 22 points, 8 rebounds

Gonzaga Prep
Otiona Gildon – 17 points, 11 rebounds
Laura Stockton – 13 points , 9 steals

Beach Cruises to Another State Final

Posted on March 7, 2015 by colincarusoZUMA

Beach Cruises to Another State Final
By Colin Caruso

Friday February 7th	2015	Boys	3A	State
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Rainier Beach	22	4	13	22	61
Eastside Catholic	10	7	10	6	33

Rainier Beach Senior Dejounte Murray

The big question most coaches ask when facing the back, to back, to back, state champs, “What can we do to stop them?” Coach Bill Liley and his Eastside Catholic Crusaders were faced with that question on Friday night in the Tacoma Dome.

The Crusaders fell to the mighty Rainier Beach Vikings twice during the regular season, both times by double digits. The goal of this contest was to keep Rainier Beach out of transition, force a half-court game, and knock down shots.

Unfortunately for the Crusaders, they were unable to keep Beach out of transition, and struggled from the perimeter. Rainier Beach took a 22-10 lead into the second, backed by an emphatic De’Jounte Murray alley-oop slam.

Rainier Beach failed to score for the first six minutes of the second quarter. This obviously played into the Crusaders hands, who started the quarter on a 7-0 run. In a low scoring second, Beach took a 26-17 lead into the break.

With the first six points in the third quarter, the Crusaders turned this into anybody’s game. Down just three, Eastside had the momentum and the Vikings struggles from the floor did not subside. But the shooting woes that plagued the Vikings transferred to the Crusaders, and they finished the third quarter with just 27 points.

Beach rolled in the fourth. Ivy Smith and Shadeed Shabazz began to knock down jumpers for the Vikings, as they extended their lead to as many as 28. Rainier Beach won the game 61-33, finishing the game on a 16-2 run. They will face off against the Bulldogs of Garfield for the 3A state title.

Top Performer:
Rainier Beach
De’Jounte Murray – 16 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals

Garfield’s Big First Half Leads to Win Over Seattle Prep

Posted on March 7, 2015 by colincarusoZUMA

Garfield’s Big First Half Leads to Win Over Seattle Prep
By Colin Caruso

Friday February 7th	2015	Boys	3A	State
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Seattle Prep	17	13	17	13	60
Garfield	25	21	7	11	64

Garfield Bulldogs

Coaches will always tell you it is difficult to beat a team three times. The fate of the Bulldogs lay in those circumstances Friday night, as the final four teams in 3A boys all came from the same league, the Seattle Metro league.

This matchup is distinctly size versus speed. The Panthers start three players over 6 foot 7 and the Bulldogs don’t have a single player above 6 foot 6. But speed has prevailed in their previous matchups, with the Bulldogs controlling the pace and the game.

The speedy Bulldogs set the pace early, amassing 19 points to the Panthers nine in under five minutes of play. But back to back threes by the Panthers put them right back in the game. Garfield held an eight point lead going into the second.

The eight point lead ballooned to 20 quickly, with seemingly every player on Garfield getting in on the action. Coach Haskins uncharacteristically used ten players in the first half. His team is typically 5-6 deep, but he opened up his bench and let them roll over the Panthers in the first half. They led by as many as 24 in the second, but the Panthers cut it to 46-30 at the half.

Garfield’s heat in the first half turned to ice in the third. They scored just four points in the first six minutes of the quarter, allowing the Panthers to cut the lead to eight. The bleeding continued to for the Bulldogs, as there seemed to be a seal over their basket. The Panthers trailed by just six entering the fourth.

Prep kept their momentum early in the fourth. A Colin Welp three for the Panthers cut the Garfield lead to just three, 56-53 with 5:30 to play. The three point lead was maintained for the next three minutes as neither team was able to convert on the offensive end. Jaylen Nowell broke the cold streak with a pair of free-throws to push Garfield up 60-55 with 1:30 on the clock. Aaron Nettles responded for the Panthers with a mid-range jumper, cutting the lead back down to three with under one minute to play.

Nowell answered again for the Bulldogs, converting on a spin move floater off the glass to extend the lead back to five with 32 seconds on the clock. The ensuing possession resulted in another Welp three pointer, electrifying the Panther crowd, now just down 2 with 10 seconds to go. The Panthers, forced to foul, fouled Terrell Brown, who hit both free throws, icing the game with a four point lead. A Jack Stewart three for the Panthers missed just long, and the Bulldogs took the contest 64-60.

Top Performers:
Seattle Prep
Jack Stewart and J’Raan Brooks – 16 points each

Garfield
Jaylen Nowell – 21 points
Alphonso Anderson – 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals

Lynnwood Cruises to Final in Blowout of Bellevue

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Steven Dion

Lynnwood Cruises to Final in Blowout of Bellevue
By Steven Dion

Friday- March 6	2015	Girls	3A	State
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Lynnwood	13	19	23	8	63
Bellevue	6	6	19	6	37

Lynnwood Junior Mikayla Pivec

Lynnwood’s stifling defense and lightning quick offense has put them on a collision course to a deep state tournament run all season long. With one game separating them from their first championship appearance in 3A, Bellevue who has put together another strong season stood in their way. The well-balanced Royals squad Coach Everett Edwards places on the floor each night featuring Mikayla Pivec and Monty Cooper cruised to a convincing 60-36 victory over a talented West Seattle team in the opening round. Meanwhile, the Wolverines rolled to a double-digit win over Prairie in the quarterfinal round on Tuesday. With a ticket to the title game on the line, who would prevail?

The Royals put together a first half that would determine the fate of the game in their dominance on both ends of the floor. Not only did they limit Bellevue to a dozen points in the first sixteen minutes of play, they built a twenty point lead in the process. Their 42% field goal percentage compared to BHS’ 17% told the story in the opening quarters of the contest. A 32-12 halftime score meant the Wolverines had a huge hill to climb.

BHS returned to the floor with a spark in the third quarter in which they registered 19 points, but allowing 23 in the process caused the Lynnwood lead to grow. Bellevue’s key players all season long including Mackenzie Keeter, Deja Rogers, Tatiana Streun, and Mandy Steward were unable to establish a rhythm and react to the incredible team speed of Lynnwood. Back-to-back possessions where the Royals drained long jump-shots including a deep three by Dani Hayes causing the net to get tangled with the rim symbolized the roll Lynnwood was on from start to finish. Four Royals finished in double figures including Pivec and Jordyn Edwards with 15 apiece. LHS advances to take on the back-to-back defending champs in Cleveland on Saturday.

The Final Score: Lynnwood 63 Bellevue 37

Top Performers:
Lynnwood
Mikayla Pivec-15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks

Bellevue
Tatiana Streun-8 points, 6 rebounds

Federal Way Claws Their Way to a State Final

Posted on March 7, 2015 by colincarusoZUMA

Federal Way Claws their way to a State Final
By Colin Caruso

Friday February 7th	2015	Boys	4A	State
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Federal Way	26	14	11	10	61
Union	7	20	19	12	58

Federal Way Eagles

In a much deserving matchup of two of the top teams in the state, the Union Titans faced off against the Federal Way Eagles, with an opportunity to face Davis in the 4A state finals. Davis would be a favorable matchup for the Eagles, who doubled up the Pirates early in the year, 88-43.

This game got out of control early. The athleticism of the Eagles was far too much for a one loss Union team to handle. Before anyone in the Tacoma Dome knew what was going on, Federal Way was off to a 23-6 lead and closed the first at 26-7.

Union finally woke up in the second quarter. Coach Conley emphasized defense and taking care of the basketball and that focus brought Union within 12. Unfortunately, they still could not stop Viont’e Daniels. He was in complete control of the first half and at one point had as many points (18) as Union had as a team. The Eagles led by 13, 40-27 at the half.

If you are down 13 at the half and are completely outmatched in both the half court and transition, it pays dividends to come out in the second half with more intensity than your opposition. That is what the Titans did, going on an 8-2 run to start the third, cutting the Eagle lead to just seven. Their momentum continued in the third quarter, and for some reason, Federal Way took their foot off the gas pedal and began to coast offensively. It was a close game going into the fourth, with the Federal Way lead down to just five points.

An immediate three to start the fourth from Micah Paulson of the Titans pulled Union within two points. Two free-throws by Paulson with 6 minutes remaining tied the game, the first tie since the game began. After a few back and forth possessions, Riley Hawken found himself at the line with 2:18 left, shooting two and down two. He made one, and the Eagles led 59-58. Ferron Flavors hit one free-throw for the Eagles to push the lead up to two, 60-58. A beautiful block by Jalen McDaniels gave Federal Way the ball back, but a steal by Hawken put the ball back in the Titans hands with 44 seconds remaining.

Without knowing the time remaining on the shot clock, Union turned the ball over and immediately fouled Christian Jones. Jones missed the front end, but the Eagles pulled an offensive rebound and got the ball to their star, Viont’e Daniels. He also missed the front end, giving Union a chance at the win with a rebound. Paulson got it for the Titans, pulled up for a transition three with 10 seconds remaining and missed everything, rebounded by the Eagles. Jones made one of two, giving the Titans yet another opportunity to tie, but this time Cameron Cranston’s three missed just left, and the Eagles pulled the hang on victory 61-58.

Top Performers:
Federal Way
Viont’e Daniels – 27 points

Union
Micah Paulson – 18 points 5 assists
Riley Hawken – 14 points 11 rebounds

Cleveland Returns to Title Game for Third Consecutive Season

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Steven Dion

Cleveland Returns to Title Game for Third Consecutive Season
By Steven Dion

Friday- March 6	2015	Girls	3A	State
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Cleveland	13	11	8	23	55
Bishop Blanchet	6	15	15	12	48

Cleveland Sophomore Zakeya Flowers

The first semifinal to determine a championship game berth in the 3A girls classification featured a rematch of last year’s title contest between two-time defending champ Cleveland and the Braves of Bishop Blanchet. The Eagles have put together an impressive run thus far considering the group of seniors that graduated last season and the passing of the head coach torch. Similarly, Coach Willison has done an excellent job of bringing Blanchet back to a deep tourney run with a young squad.

Cleveland jumped out to an early lead as Jayde Christopher and Aqeelah Williams used their backcourt pressure to produce turnovers and points on the other end. They held BBHS to a half dozen first quarter points in the process. As the first half progressed, the tides turned and Jadyn Bush was a main reason for the comeback. The sophomore got tough buckets to fall and was aggressive on the boards. She finished with a team high 19 points and 10 rebounds. At the break, Cleveland led 24-21.

When play resumed, the Braves strung together a roll that last the duration of the third frame. Bella Kemp was a main factor in the momentum swing when she notched 11 points and 9 rebounds. The 36-32 Blanchet lead accounted for the first lead change of the game: would there be another? Joyce Harrell made her post presence felt as the senior heated up in the paint. Just as Harrell was in a groove, she was sidelined for a spell with a knee injury. Upon her return, the Eagles continued a 23-12 run in the fourth quarter that eventually sealed the game. Williams scored 25 in addition to 9 rebounds as Cleveland knocks off a familiar foe once again and is now one game away from a three-peat. Saturday vs. Lynnwood at 3pm!

The Final Score: Cleveland 55 Bishop Blanchet 48

Top Performers:
Cleveland
Aqeelah Williams-25 points (10/21 FGs, 5/9 3-pt FG’s), 9 rebounds

Bishop Blanchet
Jadyn Bush-19 points (8/14 FGs), 10 rebounds

The Pirates Amass a Huge Comeback, Top Woodinville

Posted on March 7, 2015 by colincarusoZUMA

The Pirates Amass a Huge Comeback, Top Woodinville
By Colin Caruso

Friday February 7th	2015	Boys	4A	State
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Woodinville	16	8	16	12	52
Davis	13	6	19	25	63

Davis Pirates

In this matchup of two great teams, the Woodinville Mustangs matched up against a Davis Pirate team, fortunate to ride their momentum that far into the tournament. Squeaking by Gig Harbor and fortunately not having to play Wenatchee, they found themselves in the 4A state semifinal with a legitimate shot at the finals. Their lack of size played a factor early, as Woodinville controlled the glass and paint for the majority of the first half.

Both of these teams struggled offensively in the second quarter. Davis, with senior star Max Jones in foul trouble, were able to score just six points in the frame. Fortunately, their defense stayed tough, and they held the Mustangs to eight.

Pick it up in the third quarter, Max Jones commits his fourth foul and Woodinville gets a leakout basket to go up 11, momentum 100% in favor of the Mustangs. But The Pirates pulled off six straight points to cut the lead to 5, and Woodinville cooled off from the field dramatically. Davis committed 7 fouls in 4.5 minutes, somehow putting the Mustangs in the bonus early in the third. Woodinville failed to attack the basket and continue to win the game from the line, giving Davis a chance to gain the lead going into the 4th. But an ill-advised early shot in the shot clock leads to a transition bucket for the Mustangs. The Pirates trailed by just 2 entering the fourth.

Davis continued their momentum into the fourth, scoring the first eight points in the quarter to take a six point lead. Woodinville was stride for stride with the Pirates until Micah Johnson, the Woodinville point guard, picked up two fouls in less than 30 seconds to disqualify him from the game. From there, it was all Davis. Max Jones and Nick Navarro carried the way for the Pirates, propelling them to 63-52 win.

Top Performers:
Woodinville
Tony Miller – 20 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks

Davis
Nick Navarro – 20 points 6 rebounds

Lakeside Controls 2nd and 3rd Quarter, Rolls Against Mercer Island

Posted on March 7, 2015 by colincarusoZUMA

Lakeside Controls 2nd and 3rd Quarter, Rolls Against Mercer Island
By Colin Caruso

Friday February 20	2015	Boys	3A	Metro
Bellevue College	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Lakeside	13	19	20	16	68
Mercer Island	17	5	11	21	54

Most games in high school basketball do not have the pressure of a loser out game. To both of these teams, a loss marks the end of the season and looking towards next year.

Mercer Island, the underdog in this game, came out in the first quarter with a masterful game plan. Knowing that they would have trouble guarding Daejon Davis and Isiah Brown in transition, they focused on using the duration of the shot clock and slowing the game dramatically. The athleticism favored Lakeside, and Mercer Island’s only hope was to control the tempo.

The Islanders looked great in the first quarter. A 12-2 run in the first gave the Islanders a 17-13 lead going into the second. And then the wheels fell off. Fast forwarding to the second quarter, the Lions began getting into transition and finding Kiki Boyle on open threes; he hit 6 on the day. The closed the quarter on a 12-0 run, and extended that to 19-2 into the third.

16 points in a quarter is a good amount of points for a high school team. When you score 16 points over the course of two quarters, against a team from the Metro conference, you are in trouble. The shots that fell for the Islanders in the first were not falling in the second and third. The turnovers piled up, and the Islanders found themselves down 19 points entering the fourth quarter.

Mercer Island never gave up, they continued to battle in the fourth. Unfortunately, the deficit was insurmountable against a team as defensively strong as the Lions. Lakeside took this game, ending the Islander season, by a final of 68-54

Top Performers:
Lakeside
Isiah Brown – 31 points
Kiki Boyle – 20 points

Mercer Island
Sam Nordale and Andrew Pickles – 14 points each

Inglemoor Clinches Title Game Berth with Victory Over Moses Lake

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Steven Dion

Inglemoor Clinches Title Game Berth with Victory Over Moses Lake
By Steven Dion

Friday- March 6	2015	Girls	4A	State
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Inglemoor	17	13	9	26	65
Moses Lake	11	13	15	21	60

Inglemoor Vikings

Coach Augustavo’s Vikings have been knocking on the door of a 4A state championship for the past handful of seasons. With one game separating Inglemoor from reaching the title game, the quest for the hardware is within reach. However, Moses Lake is no stranger to the Tacoma Dome and the Chiefs also have their sights set on advancing to the final round of the tourney. They defeated Skyview by double digits to advance to the semis while Inglemoor squashed Bellarmine Prep to advance to the second round. In a classic east versus west showdown, which team would prevail?

IHS senior Alex Hagen helped the Viks jump out to an efficient first half in which they shot 44% from the floor and grabbed a ten point lead early at 15-5. Conversely, the Chiefs were just 8 for 32 from the field in the first two quarters and faced a half dozen point deficit at the break. The size advantage by Inglemoor was evident as the rebounding advantage and points in the paint favored the Vikings. Moses Lake needed huge contributions from their guards throughout the contest. Jamie Loera and McKenna Walker answered the call, but would it be enough to prevail in the second half.

Moses Lake returned from the intermission with the biggest run of the game to tie up the ballgame and give themselves a coin flip in the final frame. Loera and Walker combined for 42 points and 10 boards while the Viks had four scorers in double figures inclduding Hagen with 20. The 17 point rebound difference in the game played a major role in allowing Inglemoor to get additional looks at the offensive end and ultimately stringing together a 26 point fourth quarter to seal the victory and a trip to the state final.

The Final Score: Inglemoor 65 Moses Lake 60

Top Performers:
Inglemoor
Alex Hagen-20 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists

Moses Lake
Jessie Loera-25 points, 3 assists, 2 steals

Stockton Sinks Late Triple to Send Bullpups to 4A Championship

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Steven Dion

Cleveland Returns to Title Game for Third Consecutive Season
By Steven Dion

Friday- March 6	2015	Girls	4A	State
Tacoma Dome	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Gonzaga Prep	5	9	19	8	41
Todd Beamer	12	8	13	6	39

Gonzaga Prep Oona Harrington

The final girls game of Friday night was a 4A semifinal with Todd Beamer and defending champions Gonzaga Prep to determine Inglemoor’s opponent in the title game. Occasionally, the Hardwood Classic features games that are wars of attrition and this particular matchup played out as such. A half dozen lead changes, four ties, and a heroic three-ball in the final seconds were the ingredients to determine the representative in the 2015 final from the bottom half of the bracket.

The defending champs rolled out to a slow start by only recording five first quarter points and submitting a seven point in the process. Todd Beamer grabbed the largest lead of the game early at 14-5 with Quinessa CaylaoDo heating up for what would become a monster game. With only four Bullpups recording points in the contest, the combination of Laura Stockton, Otionta Gildon, Tayler Drynan, and Oona Harrington would need to improve the 22% first half shooting percentage in addition to back-to-back single digit quarters. At intermission, Beamer led 20-14.

As Coach Mike Arte has shown many times in his coaching tenure with GPrep, halftime adjustments and the ability to instill composure in close ball games was demonstrated once again. The Pups strung together the highest point total of the game in the third to bring the score to a 33-33 tie heading into the final frame. The crowd at the Tacoma Dome started gravitating its attention to what was shaping up on the north court.

A tense fourth quarter with minimal scoring came down to a one point lead for Todd Beamer after a tough turnaround in the paint by Nia Alexander with under thirty seconds remaining. CaylaoDo recorded 20 of TBHS’ 39 thus far and the Titans were one possession away from a state berth.

Stockton has the ball at the top of the paint…works the ball to the wing…the ball is passed to an open Lauren Weir in the corner but is tipped…Stockton recovers…ball back to the wing and Stockton twice more…clock is dwindling. Stockton hoists one up from the top of the key with a defender closing fast. Nothing but net. The Gonzaga sideline erupts. Beamer quickly inbounds the ball to set up a desperation shot but it is intercepted and a Bullpup is running the ball and clock to zero in excitement. The basketball is in the hands of Laura Stockton. Ballgame. Gonzaga Prep to its back to back state final.

The Final Score: Gonzaga Prep 41 Todd Beamer 39

Top Performers:
Gonzaga Prep
Laura Stockton-13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists

Todd Beamer
Quinessa CaylaoDo-20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

2015 State Tournament Preview

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Steven Dion

2015 State Tournament Preview
4A & 3A- Girls & Boys
Steve Dion & Colin Caruso

All season long, Steve Dion and Colin Caruso have been in gyms throughout the state watching the best high school basketball Washington has to offer. With the 2015 Hardwood Classic at the Tacoma Dome coming up, they break down the 3A and 4A brackets for boys and girls and use what they saw throughout the season to project what they expect to see at the Woodshed this weekend!

To catch the complete State Tournament Preview with Steve Dion and Colin Caruso, simply click on the PLAY BUTTON below.

2015 State Tournament Preview

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Randall Novak

Steven Dion and Colin Caruso have covered the best hoop teams all year round. Now they breakdown the 2015 3A and 4A State Tournaments scheduled to take place at the Tacoma Dome starting on Thursday.

Courageous Effort By Montag Sends Sehome to State

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Steven Dion

Courageous Effort By Montag Sends Sehome to State
By Steven Dion

Friday- February 27	2015	Boys	2A	Regionals
Renton High School	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Sehome	19	17	13	18	67
Washington	19	13	17	11	60

Sehome Sophomore Marcus Montag

Regionals have arrived and what was once the state tournament round of 16 is now a final week of elimination games to determine the eight that will represent their classification in either the Sundome, Spokane Arena, or Tacoma Dome. In a clash of 2A dark horse competitors from the west side of the state, Sehome would square off against Washington hailing from Tacoma. The site Renton High School provided a geographical advantage to the Patriots, but the Mariners’ faithful were out in full force to cheer on the green and yellow. A game loaded with momentum swings featured one player that willed his team to victory.

A stark size advantage by Sehome presented itself early as 6’7 forward Leighton Kingma lit up the scoreboard in a matter of minutes. A pair of corner threes and multiple high percentage shots down low provided the sophomore with 17 first half points. Patriot senior Chandler Whalen countered with 9 in the first sixteen minutes to keep the margin close. Marcus Montag showed resilience as the Sehome guard received an incidental elbow to the face and minutes later hit the deck hard forcing him to the bench for a short spell. The Mariners took a slim lead to break with a halftime score of 36-32.

Insightful coaching by Karl Cordes changed the complexion of the contest early in the second half when he brought Willie Thomas into the game. The freshman forward made an instant impact as he added a presence in the post and an additional scoring option for the Pats. Sehome guard Tanner Clark also started making his presence felt on both ends as he registered a double-double including a game-high 12 rebounds. A fantastic finish was shaping up as the fourth quarter began tied at 49 apiece.

Thomas continued to carry the offense and knocked down clutch shots and pulled down key rebounds. Tory Causey and Whalen continued to feed the hot hand as the freshman finished with a dozen points and eight boards. With a five point lead and three minutes remained, Washington appeared to in the driver’s seat to a win. Additionally, Kingma and Logan Deboo were in foul trouble sitting on the bench. Marcus Montag stepped up and knocked a contested three to cut the lead to two. A stop and quick basket tied the ball game up with a minute and a half to go. Sehome continued to protect their bucket and Montag was fouled twice in the final ninety seconds. He nailed all four pressure free throws in the bonus to complete a 12-0 run in the final minutes. The Mariners pulled off a major comeback to punch their ticket to the Sundome for the big dance.

The Final Score: Sehome 67 Washington 60

Top Performers:
Sehome
Leighton Kingma-20 points (4/5 3-pt FGs), Marcus Montag-17 points, Tanner Clark-10 points, 12 rebounds

Washington
Chandler Whalen-10 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, Willie Thomas-12 points, 8 rebounds

Rainier Beach Downs Wolverines For SeaKing Title

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Steven Dion

Rainier Beach Downs Wolverines For SeaKing Title
By Steven Dion

Saturday- February 21	2015	Boys	3A	SeaKing
Bellevue College	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Rainier Beach	27	14	15	14	70
Bellevue	19	13	12	12	56

Rainier Beach Vikings

In what could become a state final matchup, the 3 time defending champs Rainier Beach squared off against a surging Bellevue team for the district title on Saturday at Bellevue College. The capacity crowd was eager to see two of the top teams in the state square off to determine district dominance. This particular game had seeding implications on the line in addition to an extra boost heading into regionals weekend. The stage was set: Metro League versus KingCo. Which league would prevail?

As Rainier Beach does better than anyone, the Vikings pressed the Wolverines in the backcourt with Ivy Smith and Shadeed Shabazz. This defensive effort provided dividends on the offensive end as Shabazz got a hot hand early. Bellevue countered with high scoring early as big man Mikey Henn notched eight points including a pair of triples in the first quarter. Ivy Smith connected on a long toss at the first quarter buzzer to give RB a 27-19 lead after one quarter.

Senior leader for Beach Dejounte Murray demonstrated his versatility by pulling down tough rebounds and controlling the Viking attack. He followed his 10 point first quarter with half a dozen more in the second frame. Murray finished with a game-high 22. The Wolverines kept pace with a variety of scoring options including reserve Andrew Kinney who provided a nice boost. At the break, RBHS held a nine point lead.

When play resumed, BHS was eager to find a groove and cut the deficit to set themselves up for a chance to win. Senior captains Kyle Foreman and Gunther Klimes attempted to will their team to reach that extra gear Bellevue is capable of locking into. Rainier Beach dashed their hopes on back-to-back possessions when a two-handed alley-oop slam by Murray was followed up by a defensive stop and a tomahawk slam by high-flying freshman Kevin Porter. Trailing by a dozen with a quarter to go, could Coach O’Connor rally the Wolverines?

Beach responded with a resounding “no” as Murray converted on two crucial possessions to put the game away. He zipped an assist to Vincenzo Reiser who was parked under the cup and on the next possession dished the rock to Ivy who knocked down a three while being fouled in the process. These two plays put the game on ice and propelled Rainier Beach to a district championship. Don’t be surprised if these teams meet up again in the Tacoma Dome in March!

The Final Score: Rainier Beach 70 Bellevue 56

Top Performers:
Rainier Beach
Dejounte Murray-22 points

Bellevue
Gunther Klimes-15 points