Game recaps, highlights from the quarterfinals of the 4A and 3A state basketball championships

Between the Class 4A and 3A boys and girls state tournaments, 60 basketball games will be played in the Tacoma Dome this weekend. The News Tribune will be at all of them, providing updates, game highlights, interviews, recaps and stats.

Here’s everything that happened during Thursday’s quarterfinals.

CLASS 4A BOYS

NO. 4 MOUNT SI 45, NO. 11 PUYALLUP 40

The No. 11 Puyallup High School boys basketball team had several chances to tie or take the lead in Thursday’s Class 4A boys quarterfinal against No. 4 Mount Si, but each time the Vikings came up short.

Trailing by a point in the final minute, the Vikings (21-8) missed four free throws and turned the ball over once.

They had one more chance to tie trailing by three in the final five seconds, but sophomore Cobi Campbell’s 3-pointer hit the front iron, and the Wildcats (25-2) held on for the 45-40 victory.

“You talk about it, every team does, you’ve got to execute down the stretch,” Puyallup coach Scott Campbell said. “I think that game really came down to the last three possessions. Some of it wasn’t a result of great execution by Mount Si, but it wasn’t great execution by us.

“That’s what I think is fun about playing these types of games. It’s going to come down to the end of the game. It’s going to come down to one possession.”

Scott Campbell added that playing in crucial situations such as the one the Vikings faced Thursday has value that extends further than the basketball court.

“They’re going to have situations in life after this where they don’t always get a redo, you don’t always get to retake a test,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s right now and you’ve got to live with those consequences. I’m not more proud of them if we had made one more play. I loved how they fought and competed and they stayed together.”

In the first half, it was junior Kendall Munson who stepped up after a rough game offensively in Wednesday’s opener. Munson, who finished with 13 points, had 10 points and seven rebounds at the break.

In the second half, it was senior Jaeden Ingram, who was held scoreless in the first two quarters, that exploded for 15 points to help keep his team alive.

Junior Jabe Mullins and freshman Bennett O’Connor each scored 13 points to lead the Wildcats.

Mount Si will play No. 7 Curtis, which upset top-seeded Union, at 3:45 p.m. in Friday’s semifinals. The Vikings play the Titans at 9 a.m. in a loser-out game.

—Aaron Lommers, contributing writer

TEAM STATISTICS

P – Shooting: 15 of 35 (42.9 percent). Free throws: 8 of 14 (57.1). Turnovers: 14.

M – Shooting: 17 of 45 (37.8 percent). Free throws: 4 of 4 (100). Turnovers: 2.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

P – Kendall Munson 13, Jaeden Ingram 15, Cobi Campbell 5, Jacob Holcomb 2, Luke Holcomb 3, Dylan Rhoades 2.

M – Jonny Barrett 3, Bennett O’Connor 13, Jabe Mullins 13, Tyler Patterson 3, Brett Williams 7, Quin Patterson 6.

NO. 7 CURTIS 58, NO. 1 UNION 55

Curtis High School senior Zack Paulsen, the two-time 4A SPSL MVP, was painfully limping during pregame shoot-around Thursday morning at the Tacoma Dome, practicing taking jumpers off of one foot.

And, the seventh-seeded Vikings were just a day removed from narrowly escaping Glacier Peak in an opening round loser-out game.

With Paulsen heavily favoring both ankles, and the top-seeded Union Titans — entering fresh after securing a bye into the Class 4A state quarterfinals — warming up at the other end of the floor, what the Vikings did next seemed improbable at best.

Paulsen, a Seattle Pacific signee, poured in a game-high 22 points as Curtis upended the sharp-shooting Titans, 58-55, to advance to Friday’s 4A state semifinals for the second time in four seasons.

“We just never gave in,” Curtis coach Tim Kelly said. “We kept believing we were going to get stops. And, down the stretch, that’s what we kept talking about — get this stop, get this stop.

“Then, when we got the lead, this is what we play for, this is what we’re known for — defense, defense, defense.”

Curtis (21-6) held onto an early lead for much of the first half, but Union fired back with three of its six 3-pointers to grab a 33-28 lead by the break.

The Vikings tied the game once in the third quarter, when Paulsen pulled up for a mid-range jumper with one minute, eight seconds left in the period, but Ethan Smith immediately answered with a three-point play at the other end.

Union (25-2) extended its lead to as many as six points in the fourth quarter, when Brad Lackey opened the final frame with one of his four 3-pointers.

“We know they’re going to hit shots,” Paulsen said. “They’re the No. 1-ranked team in the state. They hit big shots at big times. We just can’t let that get to us, and we didn’t let it get to us. We just kept executing our offense.”

Each of Union’s next five possessions resulted in turnovers, allowing the Vikings to slowly cut into the lead.

Jordan Parker gave Curtis the final advantage on a contested layup with 1:38 remaining in the game. He converted the following free throw to make it 54-53.

The Vikings again forced Union to cough the ball up on the following possession, and Solomon McGinnis extended the lead to 56-53 on a driving, left-handed layup.

Houston Combs trimmed the lead back to a point with eight seconds to play when he blew by Curtis’ defense, but Paulsen was fouled immediately on the in-bounds pass, and coolly sunk the two free throws to push the lead to 58-55.

Combs scampered down the floor with 6.6 seconds to play, and got a look at a running 3-pointer, but McGinnis corralled the rebound short of the rim at the buzzer, and charged down the court in celebration.

“It was a huge battle, but coach just kept telling us to keep our poise,” Parker said. “We bounced back, and I thought we played really well as a team. We knew it was going to be a battle from the start. It’s just a huge, huge win for us.”

Curtis plays No. 4 Mount Si at 3:45 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals.

—Lauren Smith, staff writer

TEAM STATISTICS

C – Shooting: 20 of 47 (42.6 percent). Free throws: 16 of 22 (72.7). Turnovers: 10.

U – Shooting: 17 of 41 (41.5 percent). Free throws: 15 of 15 (100). Turnovers: 19.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

C – Jared Franklin 8, Zack Paulsen 22, Jordan Parker 11, Solomon McGinnis 8, Maceo Lewis 2, Isaac Morrow 7.

U – Tanner Toolson 7, Alishawaun Taylor 4, Brad Lackey 16, Houston Combs 6, Ethan Smith 18, Mason Hill 2, Curtis Youngren 2.

NO. 3 FEDERAL WAY 81, NO. 5 RICHLAND 58

A little more than four minutes into Thursday’s Class 4A state quarterfinals game, third-seeded Federal Way High School found itself trailing fifth-seeded Richland by nine, and hadn’t scored.

It looked for a moment the like the Eagles (25-2) were in for one of their toughest tests of the season.

But, as Richland (21-5) quickly realized, it takes a lot more than four minutes of good basketball to beat a team as talented as Federal Way.

The Eagles used a 26-6 run in the second quarter to take control of the game, eventually routing the Bombers, 81-58.

“It was our first game playing in here (this year),” Federal Way coach Yattah Reed said. “That was Richland’s second game. They were accustomed to the floor and the arena. And for our guys, that was our first time.

“It was just jitters, and a combination of a couple of things. We cut the lead to four at the end of the first quarter, and I just told them to settle down. I think they finally settled down when we cut it to four, and then we got back to playing the style of basketball that we’re accustomed to playing.”

Senior Jishai Miller sparked the run for the Eagles, scoring 12 points in the first half on 5 of 5 shooting.

“I played here last year, and I didn’t have a lot of success,” Miller said. “During the season, we played in some arenas that was a similar setting to what we’re playing in right now. … I was just used to shooting on that type of rim in an arena, so it felt comfortable for me.”

Miller scored just two points in the second half to finish with 14, but unquestionably it was him who ignited the Eagles.

“Jishai, I call him a stat-stuffer,” Reed said. “He can score, he can rebound, he can pass, and he’ll guard the toughest guy for us.”

The Eagles were led by standout junior Tari Eason, who finished with a game-high 22 points, and senior Jaden McDaniels, who had 17.

In one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament, the Eagles move on to face second-seeded and defending state champion Gonzaga Prep at 5:30 p.m. in Friday’s semifinals.

Despite being seeded second and third in the WIAA’s RPI rankings, the Eagles and Bullpups are both widely considered to be the top two 4A teams in the state. The game is a rematch of last year’s state title game, which Gonzaga Prep won.

“They are the champions,” Reed said. “In my opinion, they’re the No. 1 team until they get beat. If you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and we’re looking forward to the challenge. They’re a great team and they’ve got great players, just like we do. It should be a great game.”

—Aaron Lommers, contributing writer

TEAM STATISTICS

R – Shooting: 20 of 41 (48.8 percent). Free throws: 14 of 19 (73.7). Turnovers: 23.

F – Shooting: 29 of 55 (52.7 percent). Free throws: 15 of 20 (75). Turnovers: 12.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

R – Dhaunye Guice 2, Cody Sanderson 6, Garrett Streufert 20, Colten Northrop 14, Jack Schuster 6, Ben Fewel 2, Jacob Kreutz 2, Conner Hofstad 2, Matthew Kump 4.

F – Jishai Miller 14, Jaden McDaniels 17, Jalen Womack 11, Bradley Graham 3, Tari Eason 22, Jaylen Wes-Williams 12, Dreyline Decuire 2.

NO. 2 GONZAGA PREP 63, NO. 9 KENTRIDGE 40

In the end, defending Class 4A state champion Gonzaga Prep was just too much for the Kentridge Chargers to handle in the state tournament quarterfinals on Thursday afternoon at the Tacoma Dome.

The Bullpups were better, more athletic, more experienced and flat-out stronger, controlling the action from the start and continuing their title defense with a 63-40 win.

“They’re state champions, they’re solid across the board,” Kentridge coach Dave Jamison said. “(Anton Watson) is just really good. Owen (Paznokas) has been our best player all season and Watson just shut him down.

“It was hard to get on a roll offensively. That kind of deflated our guys because we’re usually looking to do that. We were a little tired, a little flat and playing against a stud.”

Watson, a 6-foot-8 Gonzaga signee, was the star of the show, pouring in 22 points in the win, along with 14 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and three steals.

Few teams are able to match up with Watson’s blend of size, athleticism, quick footwork and soft shooting touch, and Kentridge was no exception.

“They weren’t even really double-teaming me, so if I got the ball down low, I just had to go up with it,” Watson said. “I don’t think they can guard me.”

Guard Cruz Medina led the Chargers with 11 points. Jett Briceno chipped in nine.

The win sets up a rematch of last year’s state championship game for Gonzaga Prep against Federal Way Friday’s semifinals.

“It’s going to be a long game, a full 32 minutes,” Watson said. “We’re going to have to play hard the whole game.”

—Jon Manley, staff writer

TEAM STATISTICS

K – Shooting: 13 o f45 (28.9 percent). Free throws: 9 of 15 (60). Turnovers: 13.

GP – Shooting 29 of 50 (58 percent). Free throws: 2 of 7 (28.6). Turnovers: 10.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

K – Cruz Medina 11, Jeff Briceno 9, Owen Paznokas 6, Jeremy Banks 5, Adrian Pop 5, Moses Moore 2, Isaiah Haynes 2.

GP – Anton Watson 22, Sheadon Byrd 8, Carter Sonneborn 7, Jacob Parola 6, Sam Stockton 5, Liam Lloyd 4, Jayden Stevens 4, Noah Drynan 4, Matty Carney 3.

CLASS 4A GIRLS

NO. 6 BELLARMINE PREP 46, NO. 4 CENTRAL VALLEY 44

This Bellarmine Prep girls basketball team has whole lot of crazy-fun ideas, on and off the court.

Take an incident Tuesday, for example. During a walk-through in the Tacoma Dome, all the players who got a hold of a 19-year-old photo of coach Kim West in a team pose with her former Lions’ teammates decided to perfectly re-enact the frame — and present it to West later.

It still gets West a little choked up.

“We love each other,” she said.

And on Thursday, the team decided hit the replay button on one of the program’s most memorable Class 4A state tournament victories in school history.

In 2017, the Lions ended Central Valley’s long 52-game winning streak.

They did the same thing again by shocking the Bears, 46-44, in the 4A state quarterfinals.

Callie Stevens’ two free throws with one minute, 48 seconds remaining turned out to be the decisive points. But, by everyone’s admission, from coach to player, what closed this victory out was disciplined man-to-man defense.

“It was really tough,” said Lions senior Reyelle Frazier, one of the few Bellarmine Prep players who started in the 56-55 quarterfinal victory two years ago. “They do set a lot of picks. We had to stay on our toes the whole time.”

The Bears did not score in the final 2:15. They were forced into three turnovers, including Camryn Skaife’s traveling violation with 7.5 seconds to go, with the Lions clinging to two-point lead.

But, Bellarmine Prep was whistled for a five-second in-bounds violation, and Central Valley had one final chance.

Skaife charged into the lane and got up a runner that was too strong off. She grabbed the rebound, but her bank-shot field goal attempt to send the game into overtime slipped off the front rim at the buzzer.

“Our defense was consistent, and it put us in position to win in the end,” Bears first-year coach Ryan Bragdon said. “We had great looks. They just didn’t fall.”

The unsung hero for the Lions was post player Ciara Gatpatan, who had a career-high 19 points and eight rebounds. She made a pair of 3-pointers, and converted a three-point play at a time when the Bears threatened to break out to a big lead.

Neither team had more than a five-point advantage, and in the end, it was the Lions who prevailed. Central Valley had won 52 of its past 55 games coming into the game.

“We are so happy,” Frazier said. “We wanted this so badly.”

And so did their coach, who was a Lions assistant under former coach Kevin Meines back in 2017.

“Equally amazing,” West said.

-Todd Milles, contributing writer

TEAM STATISTICS

BP – Shooting: 15 of 37 (40.5 percent). Free throws: 10 of 14 (71.4). Turnovers: 19.

CV – Shooting 18 of 56 (32.1 percent). Free throws 5 of 10 (50). Turnovers: 11.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

BP – Makiah Reed 7, Callie Stevens 8, Reyelle Frazier 10, Julia Bordeaux 2, Ciara Gatpatan 19.

CV – Mady Simmerlink 9, Kate Sams 5, Camryn Skaife 7, Tomekia Whitman 17, M.J. Bruno 6.

NO. 8 EASTLAKE 63, NO. 7 INGLEMOOR 46

In the two meetings between the Eastlake and Inglemoor girls basketball teams this season, the Eastlake Wolves won both —comfortably.

The Inglemoor Vikings were hoping to flip the script in the third meeting in the Class 4A state quarterfinals Thursday night at the Tacoma Dome, but ultimately, it was more of the same, as Eastlake continued its dominance with a 65-46 win.

Eastlake led 35-19 at half, and never looked back.

“It was really important to us (to get off to a fast start),” said Eastlake center Keeli Burton, who scored a game-high 20 points, while also pulling down 12 rebounds.

“We definitely want to make it as far as we can and try to win the championship. Having a strong start definitely will keep our momentum for the games to come.”

Burton, a 6-foot-3 junior, was a matchup issue for Inglemoor the entire game, dominating in the post and overpowering Inglemoor’s undersized defenders.

“I try to bring a lot of physicality,” Burton said. “Every game, it’s all physical, everyone pushing each other. So I just make sure I push back, try to keep my ground.”

Having won both meetings between the teams prior to Thursday night’s game, Eastlake came into the game with a mental advantage.

“I think it really helped that we could come in more confident, especially knowing that we’re at the Tacoma Dome, which is a way different place than we’ve played before,” Burton said.

“So, we can get really get comfortable with what we do and make sure we’re good when we get deeper into the tournament.”

Guard Callie Lind scored 13 for the Wolves and Mae Bryant added 10. For Inglemoor, both Lucy Young and Jenna Troy scored a team-high 16 points.

Eastlake will face No. 6 Bellarmine Prep in the semifinals at 7:15 p.m. Friday.

“We don’t know much about them,” Burton said. “We know they’ve been pretty good in the past. They’re here, so they have to be good. We just want to keep in with a strong head and just do what we do.”

—Jon Manley, staff writer

TEAM STATISTICS

I – Shooting: 15 of 60 (25 percent). Free throws: 13 of 20 (65). Turnovers: 16.

E – Shooting: 24 of 60 (40 percent). Free throws: 15 of 28 (53.6). Turnovers: 15.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

I – Lucy Young 16, Jenna Troy 16, Colbi Zorich 9, Eva Taylor 2, Katelyn Laccinole 2, Abby Haller 1.

E – Keeli Burton 20, Callie Lind 13, Mae Bryant 10, Hayley Huard 9, Kenzie Feinglas 6, Emily Holsan 5, Jordan Duzenack 2.

NO. 3 LEWIS AND CLARK 48, NO. 5 GLACIER PEAK 38

If any players on the Lewis and Clark girls basketball team need any motivation, they need not look further than senior Jacinta Buckley.

Whether it was Buckley scoring any of her 17 points in the Class 4A state quarterfinals game against Glacier Peak on Thursday night, her teammates taking a charge or getting a big stop, Buckley was in the middle of it all, doling out high-fives with a big smile on her face during the Tigers’ 48-38 win.

“Everything I can give, I give it,” Buckley said. “I leave it all on the floor. I’m emotional because I want it so bad. I’ve been to state three years, and every year I’ve been here, we lost the first game. So that meant a lot. We’re just going to keep this rolling.”

Buckley’s charisma is as natural as it is effortless. Her ability on the court? That’s pretty good, too.

“She’s just so positive and exciting and energetic and the girls just feed off that,” Lewis and Clark coach Gabriel Medrano said. “When she’s amped up, the girls just seem to love that. She does a great job leading in that way.”

Lewis and Clark led comfortably the entire game, jumping out to a 28-20 lead and keeping Glacier Peak at arm’s length the entire second half.

The Tigers haven’t lost since Jan. 8, when they lost to Central Valley — not that anyone needed to remind Buckley what a roll the team is on.

“No, we haven’t lost,” she said. “And we’re not going to.”

She’s certainly not lacking on confidence. And, with the way Lewis and Clark is playing, who could blame her?

“You need that (confidence) to win,” Buckley said. “We’ve got to believe in ourselves. If we just keep this same energy, it’s unmatched. We’re ready to go. We’re not going to lose, because we’re believing in ourselves and trusting in our teammates. That’s what you need for this kind of thing.”

Lewis and Clark will face the winner of Thursday night’s late game between No. 1 Woodinville and No. 2 Kentridge in the semifinals at 9 p.m. Friday.

“You get here, everyone is good,” Medrano said. “Our girls feel they’re as good as anyone and their goal is to go win a state championship. We’re worried about working on the next game. They feel like they have as good a chance as anyone.”

—Jon Manley, staff writer

TEAM STATISTICS

GP – Shooting: 16 of 50 (32 percent). Free throws: 3 of 6 (50). Turnovers: 14.

LC – Shooting: 19 of47 (40.4 percent). Free throws: 8 of 13 (61.5). Turnovers: 15

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

GP – Maya Erling 14, Aaliyah Collins 13, Shay Sande 4, Haley Grambo 2, Madison Rubino 2, Sydney Guffey 2, Tiara Hollimons 1.

LC – Jacinta Buckley 17, Dominique Arquette 11, Andie Zylak 10, Anna Reeves 4, Kaylee Bishop 3, Sativa Rogers 3.

NO. 2 KENTRIDGE 55, NO. 1 WOODINVILLE 44

It’s hard to beat a team three times, goes the old adage. The No. 2 Kentridge High School girls proved that point in spades on Thursday night.

The Chargers, led by the one-two post punch of senior JaQuaya Miller and junior Jordyn Jenkins, cruised past recent nemesis and top-seeded Woodinville, 55-44, at the Tacoma Dome to reach the Class 4A state semifinals.

“It’s awesome when the kids are just working hard and when they can calm themselves down and play great basketball,” Kentridge coach Brad McDowell said. “I mean, that’s every coach’s dream, that’s what you want.”

Kentridge and Woodinville are developing a bit of a history.

The Chargers fell to the Falcons in last year’s state quarterfinals during Woodinville’s run to the championship game. Kentridge, the 2017 champs, lost to Woodinville again earlier this season — a 72-71 affair at the King Showcase in Kent back in January that went to overtime.

In that game, Jenkins fouled out after committing a charge and then receiving a technical foul for stepping over the opponent sprawled on the court. Tonight, there was no such reprieve for Woodinville.

“I just knew that I had to keep my composure and keep my attitude straight,” Jenkins said. “I knew I had to stay in the game, all four quarters.”

“We were able to stay out of foul trouble, that was a big part of it,” McDowell said. “Being able to work it into the post, our posts really do a good job of working well together.

“Our guards were nice and spaced, and we hit some big shots that kinda kept the lead pushing up and keeping it at least manageable. But, staying out of foul trouble was really the key.”

Jenkins poured in 14 second-half points as the Chargers pulled away in third quarter, finishing with 24 points and nine rebounds. Miller contributed 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Daylani Ballena spaced the floor with a pair of triples to finish with 11 points.

Woodinville tried to make it interesting in the fourth quarter, led by Mia Hughes and her game-high 28 points.

At one point, the Falcons forward scored 12 consecutive fourth-quarter points on a blistering array of slipping, sliding layups, pin-point jumpers and free throws to keep Woodinville within striking distance.

“We talked about wanting to take that final step of kinda that killer — when we’re up, we gotta continue,” McDowell said. “It kind of started to slip there in the fourth quarter, but they settled, and then we refocused and got it back to where it needed to go.”

“(Hughes is) not like a post player-type, but she plays like one,” Jenkins said. “It kind of throws you off. She’s really strong and she really goes up there and takes big power moves.”

Eventually, however, Hughes ran out of gas — and so did Woodinville.

Kentridge moves on to play No. 3 Lewis and Clark in the semifinals at 9 p.m. Friday.

—Thomas Kyle-Milward, contributing writer

TEAM STATISTICS

W – Shooting: 18 of 54 (33.3 percent). Free throws: 7 of 9 (77.8). Turnovers: 11.

K – Shooting: 19 of 45 (42.2 percent). Free throws: 13 of 15 (86.7). Turnovers: 18.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

W – Morgan Lundquist 5, Mia Hughes 28, Veronica Sheffey 4, Katie Minnehan 7.

K – Daylani Ballena 3, Jordyn Jenkins 9, JaQuaya Miller 12, Tiffani Pham 3, Hana McVicker 2, Martina Lam 3.

CLASS 3A BOYS

NO. 11 O’DEA 63, NO. 4 MARYSVILLE-PILCHUCK 53

The Fighting Irish (18-8) led by as many as 21 points and held off a furious rally from the Tomahawks (20-4) for a 63-53 win in the 3A quarterfinals.

O’Dea was led by sophomore Paolo Banchero, who finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Banchero got 11 of his 19 points at the free throw line, where he was 11 of 14.

Marysville-Pilchuck senior and Washington signee RaeQuan Battle was held scoreless in the first quarter, but came alive in the final three, finishing with 24 points.

Battle was 9 of 15 on his two-point field goal attempts, but shot just 1 of 11 from 3-point range. As a team, the Tomahawks shot 1 of 16 from long range.

Despite Battle finishing with the 24 points, the Fighting Irish, led by Banchero and senior Noah Williams, who guarded Battle most of the time, made it it very difficult.

“Our key was to lock in defensively,” Banchero said. “We knew that if we just lock in that we were going to get our buckets, but if we were able to stop them, we knew that we would be able to get the advantage.

“You kind of just have to run him off the line. RaeQuan is great. (Noah and I) play with him all summer, so I think we knew him the best, so we had the best chance at guarding him. He definitely turned it on in the second half. It was hard to stop him.”

The Fighting Irish advance to Friday’s semifinals where they will face No. 1 Eastside Catholic (23-2) at 7:15 p.m. in the semifinals.

—Aaron Lommers, contributing writer

TEAM STATISTICS

O – Shooting: 20 of 45 (44.4 percent). Free throws: 19 of 26 (73.1). Turnovers: 13.

MP – Shooting: 23 of 56 (41.1 percent). Free throws: 6 of 9 (66.7). Turnovers: 15.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

O – John Misel 4, Paolo Banchero 19, Jermaine Davis 10, Noah Williams 9, Max Debiec 5, Paul Johnson 6, Jaylon Ellis 10.

MP – Luke Dobler 8, RaeQuan Battle 24, Cameron Stordahl 10, Aaron Kalab 9, Ethan Jackson 2.

NO. 1 EASTSIDE CATHOLIC 65, NO. 10 INGRAHAM 37

Looking at the scoreboard, you wouldn’t know this top-seeded Eastside Catholic team lost to Ingraham by seven points in the 3A SeaKing district tournament two weeks ago.

Paced by Shane Nowell’s 16 points and seven rebounds, the Crusaders (23-2) scored early and often, to run away from the Rams in the Class 3A state quarterfinals Thursday night in the Tacoma Dome.

The win sets up a semifinals meeting with Metro League rival O’Dea at 7:15 p.m. Friday.

“Our plan was to execute, and we did that tonight,” Nowell said. “We’re just looking forward to tomorrow and executing then as well.”

Nolan Hickman added 14 points, and five-star football recruit J.T. Tuimoloau added 11 as the Crusaders jumped out to a 29-13 lead by halftime. A 27-point third quarter pushed the advantage even further.

“We had a special play that was working,” Nowell said. “We stretched out their 2-3 zone, and we attacked the paint and made shots.”

Ingraham, which posted single digits in each of the first two quarters, was stuck on its 13-point halftime score well into the third.

The Rams were held to 10 of 44 shooting and committed 19 turnovers. Eastside Catholic shot 26 of 57 from the floor.

Division I recruit Mitchell Saxon was the only player in double figures for the Rams, completing a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

—Lauren Smith, staff writer

TEAM STATISTICS

I – Shooting: 10 of 44 (22.7 percent). Free throws: 14 of 18 (77.8). Turnovers: 19.

EC – Shooting: 26 of 57 (45.6 percent). Free throws: 6 of 11 (54.5). Turnovers: 12.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

I – Mitchell Saxon 11, Cozion Collins 5, Latrell Jones 7, E’lijah Rabideau 4, Malik Johnson 4, Daniel Kestenbaum 2, Charles Putez 2, J.T. Collins 2.

EC – Shane Nowell 16, Nolan Hickman 14, Grant Hunt 3, Griffin 2, Ron Farrell 3, Jacob Dahlstrom 6, J.T. Tuimoloau 11, Isaac Ticeson 4, Chika Nduka 6.

NO. 3 RAINIER BEACH 51, NO. 5 KELSO 42

The third-seeded Vikings (21-4) survived a slow start to beat the fifth-seeded Hilanders (21-5), 51-42, in the 3A state quarterfinals Thursday at the Tacoma Dome.

Rainier Beach trailed 19-13 at halftime, but after giving up the opening bucket of the third quarter the Vikings went on an 8-0 run to tie the game. From that point forward — thanks in part to smothering defensive pressure — the Vikings were in control.

“Our coach just got on us (at halftime),” junior guard Marjon Beauchamp said. “Some of us were nervous, we hadn’t been in this situation. … Our defense getting steals, that just led us to our lead.”

Beauchamp, who has been sick throughout the week leading up to the tournament, scored 18 of his 20 points after halftime to lead the Vikings.

“My coach told me, ‘You better wake up, or you’re going to lose,’ ” Beauchamp said. “So I had to wake up.”

Kelso’s Shaw Anderson, a Seattle Pacific signee, scored 21 points to lead all scorers.

The Vikings will play the winner of second-ranked Mt. Spokane (22-1) and ninth-ranked Capital (21-4) at 9 p.m. on Friday in the semifinals.

—Aaron Lommers, contributing writer

TEAM STATISTICS

K – Shooting: 15 of 41 (36.6 percent). Free throws: 7 of 10 (70). Turnovers: 17.

R – Shooting: 18 of 49 (36.7 percent). Free throws: 12 of 23 (52.2). Turnovers: 10.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

K – Riley Noah 14, Jayden Hardeman 5, Shaw Anderson 21, Wyatt Brown 2.

R – Kenny Curtis 8, Marjon Beauchamp 20, Stevie Smith 1, Micah Monroe 12, Jamon Kemp 6, Javion Garrett 4.

NO. 2 MOUNT SPOKANE 71, NO. 9 CAPITAL 60

Two things that can stop a basketball team from scoring are its own inability to make shots and an opponent’s ferocious defense.

No. 9 Capital High School ran into both in the Class 3A state quarterfinals Thursday night at the Tacoma Dome, and lost to second-seeded Mount Spokane, 71-60.

A short jumper by Jake Brandsma, the only substitute Capital coach Brian Vandiver used, gave the Cougars a 25-19 lead midway through the second quarter, but the Wildcats (23-1) began to regularly disrupt the passing lanes and tied it by halftime at 30-30.

In the third quarter, the onslaught continued as Mount Spokane ran off the final 13 points to lead 52-38.

Making matters worse for Capital was its foul shooting — 2 for 9 on the night.

Cougars star Chris Penner, an 80 percent foul shooter, scored 15 points but was 1 for 6 from the line, at one point missing a pair then canning a long 3-pointer from the right wing on the rebound.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” Vandiver said.

Meanwhile, Mount Spokane forced 13 Capital turnovers, while coughing it up only six times.

“Some of that’s on us, but they’re a good defensive team. Their No. 1 (Spencer Barrera) is the best defender I’ve seen in a long time,” Vandiver said. “He’s an incredible defender.”

Barrera, a slender 6-foot guard, had three steals, all for baskets, including a pair of two-handed dunks. Jerry Twenge led Mount Spokane in scoring with 20 points, Tyson Degenhart added 18 and J.T. Smith had 17.

—Dave Weber, contributing writer

TEAM STATISTICS

C – Shooting: 24 of 51 (47.1 percent). Free throws: 2 of 9 (22.2). Turnovers: 13.

M – Shooting: 26 of 49 (53.1 percent). Free throws: 14 of 16 (87.5). Turnovers: 6.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

C – Gabe Landers 7, Chris Penner 15, Brandin Riedel 8, Grant Erickson 7, Jake Brandsma 4, Lucas Bowser 19.

M – Tyson Degenhart 18, Tanner Brooks 6, Spencer Barrera 10, Jerry Twenge 20, J.T. Smith 17.

CLASS 3A GIRLS

NO. 4 KAMIAKIN 57, NO. 11 SNOHOMISH 39

So how does arguably the state’s best player get mentally honed in on her final 3A girls tournament?

She relaxes by taking a calculus test the day before.

“Calculus is kind of fun, when you know what you are doing,” said Kamiakin’s Oumou Toure, a Butler signee who takes Running Start classes at Columbia Basin College.

The battle-tested Braves certainly showed the 3A field Thursday they know what they are doing by advancing to the state quarterfinals for a fourth consecutive season — led by Toure’s 14 points and seven rebounds, and Alexa Hazel’s 12 points.

Kamiakin (23-2) got off to a fast start in the second quarter to bury the Panthers, shooting 47.8 percent in the first half (11 of 23) — and forcing 11 turnovers.

“We still get a little nervous about being in that 9 a.m. game Thursday, but this group of seniors has been there,” Braves coach Lane Schumacher said. “We played really well. I am proud of them.”

The team came over to watch Snohomish’s come-from-behind victory Wednesday over West Seattle.

Later in the day, coaches and players went to Costco to buy a tub of chicken fettuccine for dinner before holding a team meeting.

Toure arrived late with her mother because she was busy taking that advanced-math test.

“We just want to win,” Toure said. “We have five seniors on the team, and we want to get after it.”

—Todd Milles, contributing writer

TEAM STATISTICS

S – Shooting: 23 of 61 (37.7 percent). Free throws 9 of 16 (56.3). Turnovers: 10.

K – Shooting: 12 of 41 (29.3 percent percent). Free throws: 12 of 17 (70.6). Turnovers: 22.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

S – Kinslee Gallatin 5, Ella Gallatin 5, Kaya DuChesne 9, Courtney Perry 9, Mya Romel 3, Jordyn Beckel 5, Cheyenne Rodgers 3.

K – Symone Brown 7, Regan Clark 11, Rylie Clark 9, Alexa Hazel 12, Oumou Toure 14, Kadence Crockett 3, Elsie Harris 1.

NO. 1 PRAIRIE 58, NO. 15 EDMONDS-WOODWAY 39

Hala Corral knows what her fan base is used to — contending for state champions,

But the Falcons have hit a bit of a dry spell recently. Their last state title came in 2012. It also happened to be the last time they won a state tournament game.

“Prairie is such a great program, I think (fans) think it is easy,” said Corral, Prairie’s coach. “We have not won a game in the Dome in seven years. … These kids knew that. That was a little extra pressure for them.”

Well, Prairie was exquisite with its outside shooting Thursday, making 11 3-pointers — one off of the 3A tournament record of 12, set by Mount Spokane in 2016 against this same Edmonds-Woodway squad.

Fresno State-bound post player Brooke Walling made five of them. Allison Corral, the coach’s daughter, added three of them. Mallory Williams chipped in with a pair from long range.

And this was all done without arguably the team’s best shooter, Cassidy Gardner, who was clearly the focal point of the Warriors’ defense.

“We have eight kids who can score,” Hala Corral said. “It was nice to have them step up.”

The Falcons (22-3) broke it open by making six of their first 11 field-goal attempts to open the second half, capped by Walling’s 3-pointer from the top of the arc, to give Praire a 35-24 lead at the 3:32 mark.

Prairie is in the 3A semifinals for the first time since 2012. Kamiakin is up next — Friday at 3:45 p.m.

“Last year, we kind of overlooked some teams,” said Walling, who led all scorers with 21 points. “We want to keep working toward the ultimate goal of winning a state championship.”

—Todd Milles, contributing writer

TEAM STATISTICS

EW – Shooting: 14 of 40 (35 percent). Free throws: 2 of 2 (100). Turnovers: 14.

P – Shooting: 21 of 54 (38.9 percent). Free throws 5 of 6 (83.3). Turnovers: 6.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

EW – A.J. Martineau 6, Ingrid Fosberg 3, Rebekah Dasalia 16, Adrienne Poling 8, Brooke Kearney 6.

P – Allison Corral 9, Kendyl Carson 12, Brooke Walling 21, Mallory Williams 8, Cassidy Gardner 2, Meri Dunford 4, Claire Heischmidt 2.

NO. 3 GARFIELD 55, NO. 12 ROOSEVELT 21

For three seasons, Faith Brantley donned the black-and-gold colors of Lincoln High School during the Class 3A girls basketball championships.

But, she decided a change in the offseason was good. So she joined a new program — Garfield, which hired Marvin Hall, her godfather, as the new coach.

And now, after the Bulldogs overwhelmed Metro League rival Roosevelt in the 3A quarterfinals, Brantley got her first state victory in purple and white.

“It is a little bit weird,” said Brantley, a guard who scored five points, but also was in the middle of Garfield’s harassing full court pressure. “I enjoy being on this new team.”

The Roughriders could barely even move the ball successfully up the court. They turned the ball over 32 times — 19 coming in the first half.

Garfield (23-2) finished the game forcing 22 steals (one short of Lakeside of Seattle’s tournament record of 23) and totaling 10 blocked shots.

“I played college ball, and overseas ball,” Hall said. “This (full court pressure) is what I hung my hat on, and that is what we do.”

Hall’s best perimeter defender is Brantley. It is the same stopper role she held with the Abes.

“The good part about Faith, she has been here pretty much all four years — more than anybody on the team,” Hall said. “She has been up under that type of pressure.”

—Todd Milles, contributing writer

TEAM STATISTICS

R – Shooting: 6 of 41 (14.6 percent). Free throws: 9 of 17 (52.9). Turnovers: 32.

G – Shooting 22 of 63 (34.9 percent). Free throws 6 of 13 (46.2). Turnovers: 13.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

R – Karmelah Dean 6, Payton Dukes 8, Genevieve Symons 2, Katie Thiers 3, Sammy Teal 2.

G – Faith Brantley 5, Jayla Howard 8, Dalayah Daniels 17, Samaiyah Tolliver 7, Kira Wood 4, Sahcari Davis 14.

NO. 2 MOUNT SPOKANE 55, NO. 9 WEST SEATTLE 35

The 3A GSL champions passed the first test of fullcourt pressure in defeating the Metro League contenders for the second time in this seasons at the 3A tournament.

Now it gets really crazy as Mount Spokane has to face Garfield, which many consider the top team in the state.

“We need to take care fo the ball, and pass the ball,” Mount Spokane coach David Pratt said. “The nice thing, if we can get past their pressure, we should be able to get out and get opportunities.”

If Mount Spokane (23-1) can shoot it like it did Thursday, the semifinal matchup of powerhouses could be a thriller.

Senior guard Aspyn Adams sank six 3-pointers en route to a game-high 20 points, Her deep 3-pointer at the top of the arc to end the third quarter gave Mount Spokane a 42-31 lead.

“We were very focused,” Adams said. “We definitely want to get that state championship.”

Added Pratt: “That is her thing. The nice thing for her, she has experience. She’s been here. She comes in and loves the light. She loves the highest level.”

—Todd Milles, contributing writer

TEAM STATISTICS

WS – Shooting: 11 of 39 (28.2 percent). Free throws: 6 of 6 (100). Turnovers: 15.

MS – Shooting 22 of 45 (48.9 percent). Free throws 3 of 4 (75). Turnovers: 14.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

WS – Kelsey Lenzie 6, Jasmine Gayles 4, Grace Sarver 8, Julianna Harris 8, Meghan Fiso 9.

MS – Aspyn Adams 20, Niveya Henley 9, Jayda Noble 4, Averi Adams 3, Emily Nelson 15, Allie Baribault 2, Garcey Neal 2.

This story was originally published February 28, 2019 at 12:48 PM.

Lauren Smith

The News Tribune

360-754-5473

Lauren Smith is a sports reporter at The News Tribune. She has covered high school sports for TNT and The Olympian, as well as the Seattle Mariners and Washington Huskies. She is a graduate of UW and Emerald Ridge High School.