BELLEVUE — Grace Gordon made quick work with of her salute after sticking her landing on the beam Thursday afternoon.

On Friday, she paused for an second. She was soaking it all in.

“I took a moment to take in that it was a perfect landing, and that felt good,” Gordon said. “A great way to finish my gymnastics career.”

The Columbia River senior’s day ended standing on the first place podium after day two of the event finals of the 3A/2A/1A state gymnastics championship at Sammamish High School.

Gordon posted a score of 9.625 on the beam, which put her into the lead with eight gymnasts to compete.

By the end of the meet, Gordon’s score stood up, outdistancing Abigail Winstead of Kamiakin and Ellery Gilmer of Lake Washington, who tied for second at 9.550.

Gordon also placed seventh on the uneven bars with a score of 9.250.

And in her final moment as a competitive gymnast, the beam, she stuck the dismount and stood valiantly.

Gordon was Southwest Washington’s lone medalist, let alone finalist — individual or team — from the two-day event, which concluded midday Friday before the start of the 4A meet.

It came a year and a day after undergoing the second of two surgeries for a broken ankle she suffered just after the district tournament that kept her out of state last season. She quit club and decided to go out for high school gymnastics entering her junior season.

Winning state in the beam wasn’t always the place Gordon thought she’d make her mark Friday. In fact, it was the event giving her the most fits.

At districts, with the same beam series she put forth on Thursday and Friday, she fell in between her first and second back handspring. Her thigh collided hard enough with the beam to leave a sizable bruise.

But she stuck with it, and did so by working past the thought of missing the mark. Even though, Gordon said, she aced the series 98 percent of the time in practice and competition, it was the 2 percent that was tough to kick mentally.

“Especially when they’re crashed like she had at districts,” River assistant coach Allison Sparrow said. “Those are the ones you remember.”

As Gordon walked up to mount the beam, she prepared to clear her mind and focus on the competition — finding her “white space,” she called it.

But before she could, she heard the cheers of teammates who made the trip up just to support her and River’s two other state qualifiers (the team as a whole did not qualify) and saw her dad, Tim Gordon, holding up and pointing to a sign that read: “Go Gracie!”

“I could hear everyone screaming, my teammates and my dad were behind me,” Gordon said, “and that meant the world to me to hear all that support.”

Then, she made good on the performance she’d spent tireless hours perfecting and walked away from Sammamish High School, and her competitive gymnastics career, a state champion.

“I didn’t expect this to happen at all,” Gordon said. “I’m really happy.”

3A/2A/1A STATE GYMNASTICS EVENT FINALS
At Sammamish High School
Top-8 (medalists)
BEAM—1, Grace Gordon (Columbia River) 9.625; T2, Abigal Winstead (Kamiakin) 9.550; T2, Ellery Gilmer (Lake Wash.) 9.550; 4, Martine Klecka (Sehome) 9.525; T5, Hanna Hill (Mt. Spokane) 9.425; 7, Erin McGinnis (White River) 9.400; T8, Courteney Hori (Lake Washington) 9.375.
FLOOR—1, Abigal Winstead (Kamiakin) 9.700; 2, Sydney Griswold (Sammamish) 9.600; T3, Lianne Kistler (9.550) 9.550; T3, Allison Lofquist (Juanita) 9.550; 5, Amaya Gales (Kamiakin)  9.525; 6, Kaysa Lundberg (Holy Names) 9.500; 7, Hanna Hill (Mt. Spokane) 0.475; T8, Martina Klecka (Sehome) 9.450; T8, Chylye Schillen (White River) 9.450.
BARS—1, Lianne Kistler (Ballard) 9.600; 2, Sydney Griswold (Sammamish) 9.550; 3, Maddi Bughi (Mt. Spokane) 9.500; 4, SiQi Talley (Bainbridge) 9.425; 5, Cait McNeill (Holy Names) 9.400; 6, Gina Twenge (Mt. Spokane) 9.375; 7, Grace Gordon (Columbia River) 9.250; T8, Gloria Wang (Juanita) 9.175; T8, Ally Neiders (Holy Names) 9.175.
VAULT—1, Lianne Kistler (Ballard) 9.475; 2, Laly Noriega (Lake Washington) 9.425; 3, Sydney Griswold (Sammamish) 9.400; 4, Amaya Gales (Kamiakin) 9.350; 5, Allison Lofquist (Juanita) 9.325; 6, Chylye Schillen (White River) 9.225; T7, Martina Klecka (Sehome) 9.200; T7, Kaysa Lundberg (Holy Names) 9.200.

SPOKANE VALLEY – After starting this season 3-7, it was a long road to the 3A state tournament for the Prairie boys basketball team.

But a 14-game winning streak meant that road doesn’t end with Friday’s 71-52 loss to Mount Spokane in the regional round at University High east of Spokane.

Prairie couldn’t match up with the size and shooting of the No. 2-ranked Wildcats, who controlled all facets of the game to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals Thursday at the Tacoma Dome.

But Prairie’s resurgent run, which culminated in a bi-district title last weekend, means the Falcons aren’t done.

Prairie will play a loser-out game Wednesday in Tacoma after rising to No. 7 in the state RPI rankings. The Falcons will play either Shadle Park or Ingraham.

The challenge now for Prairie is to move beyond Friday’s loss.

Kam Osborn, who led Prairie with 19 points, said the team shouldn’t hang its head. After all, the Falcons are about to make their second straight trip to the Tacoma Dome after snapping a 10-year state playoff drought.

“One message I’ve been relaying to the guys is to enjoy it while we’re here,” he said. “A lot of Prairie teams haven’t made it in the past.”

Osborn scored nine points in the first quarter, which ended with Prairie trailing 23-14. But Mount Spokane (22-1) took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Falcons 18-6 to lead 41-20.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Prairie coach Kyle Brooks said. “We obviously wish we would have gotten off to a better start. But they’re big and fast and they executed really well at the start.”

A Prairie team with one starter taller than 6-foot-1 had trouble containing 6-foot-7 sophomore Tyson Degenhart. Mount Spokane’s leading scorer this season had 25 points.

Degenhart and 6-foot-5 forward Tanner Brooks combined for 21 rebounds as the Wildcats controlled the boards.

“We play well against size so I wasn’t too worried about it, but their size killed us,” Osborn said. “(Degenhart and Brooks), they’re big guys. They did whatever they wanted.”

Prairie (17-8) trailed 64-27 after three quarters, but went down swinging. The Falcons opened the fourth quarter on a 17-2 run, prompting Mount Spokane to put its starters back in with four minutes to play.

“The thing we did well is that after we got in a big hole, in the second half we competed really hard,” Brooks said. “We stayed positive, realizing we have another opportunity next week.”

With that opportunity comes another challenge, but with it the pride of being among the state tournament’s final 12 teams.

“You’re playing against the state’s best,” Brooks said. “We know the games are going to get tougher. I think our goal now is to win and advance and get to play more than one day there.”

MOUNT SPOKANE 71, PRAIRIE 52

PRAIRIE – Aidan Fraly 9, Kameron Osborn 19, AJ Dixson 7, Thomas Hapgood 3, Mark Frazier 0, Gabe Lilly 2, Hayden Rose 0, Brady Gagnon 2, Bronson King 0, Reece Walling 0. Totals 19 (8) 6-6 52.

MOUNT SPOKANE – Spencer Barrera 4, Tanner Brooks 9, Jack McClary 0, Mitch Stengle 0, Jerry Twenge 12, Logan Miller 0, JT Smith 17, Jojo Anderson 2, Jayden Williamson 2, Tyson Degenhart 25, Harley Peterson 0. Totals 31 (8) 1-4 71.

Prairie           14       6          7          25—52

Mt.Spokane 23       18       23       7—71

The King’s Way Christian girls basketball team went cold in the third quarter, allowing Medical Lake to pull away for a 42-31 win in an elimination game in the regional round of the Class 1A state tournament on Friday in Spokane.

Hot shooting allowed the Knights to go on an 11-0 run in the first half, buidling a 18-7 lead. But Medical Lake tied it a 21-21 by halftime.

King’s Way scored just two points in the third quarter.

Medical Lake controlled the boards, producing second- and third-chance opportunities, making it difficult for the Knights to rally.

MacKenzie Ellertson scored 11 points to lead the Knights (16-8). Hannah Moats added nine points on three 3-pointers.

King’s Way made seven 3-pointers, but only four baskets from inside the 3-point arc.

MEDICAL LAKE 42, KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 31

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (16-8) — Hannah Moats 9, Laurel Quinn 0, Abby Cummins 8, Tyra Schroeder 3, MacKenzie Ellertson 11, Lacey Zook 0. Totals 11 (7) 2-6. 31.

MEDICAL LAKE — Emily Munson 3, Allison Duncan 9, Jaycee Oliver 0, Jessica Lohman 12, Jaxyn Farmen 2, Lexie Redell 14, Ellie Acord 2. Totals 15 (7) 5-6 42.

King’s Way 10 10 2 8–31

Medical Lake 8 13 6 15–42

LONGVIEW — The Union Titans are ready to experience the Tacoma Dome.

No doubt, they did so last year, but with an opening-day loss at state in 2018 following their loss in the 4A regionals made for a quick exit.

Not anymore.

The Titans’ 56-37 victory Friday night over league-rival Battle Ground in their 4A boys basketball regional game at Mark Morris High School means the top-seed Titans (24-1) get at least two more games and advanced straight to Thursday’s 4A state quarterfinals.

“Going up there and playing right away,” senior Alishawuan Taylor said, “that’s something you don’t want to do. Having that bye and going up there for the quarterfinals, you get to experience it more and spend more time with your team.”

Of course, the top-ranked TItans hope it’s a lot more time.

Battle Ground isn’t done after Friday’s loss, but must take a harder path in order to achieve its goal of bringing home a state trophy. It opens the 4A state tournament Wednesday in an elimination game.

Union swept Battle Ground in their two 4A Greater St. Helens League games, including a narrow 5-point win Jan. 22.

But Union coach Blake Conley, back on the bench Friday after missing the past two games as he and his wife, Christie, welcomed their first child, called the win one of his team’s best defensive efforts of the season.

Union controlled the glass, limited Battle Ground on second-chance opportunities, and held the Tigers to a season-low in points.

It helps the teams are familiar with one another, junior guard Brad Lackey said.

“We know these guys, their personnel,” he said. “.. Alishawuan (Taylor) was fighting down low really hard, and focusing their guards to take tough shots. That was our game plan and we executed it really well.”

Lackey and Tanner Toolson scored 12 points apiece and Ethan Smith added 11 for the Titans.

Houston Combs had eight points and Taylor added six points, and the senior forward was responsible defensively most of the night on Tigers 6-foot-9 forward Kaden Perry.

Perry, a sophomore, had 11 points on 3 of 10 shooting. Colin Barton added eight points — all in the second half — and Vincent McCormic and Brendan Beall had seven apiece.

It was Battle Ground that used a 9-0 scoring run to jumpstart the second quarter to pull within 20-15, but that’s as close as the Tigers got the rest of the way.

Lackey’s 3-pointer gave Union its first double-digit lead late in the second quarter and the Titans never relinquished it in the second half.

Lackey also helped jumpstart a 13-2 run that ultimately pushed Union’s lead its largest of the game at 23 points, scoring seven of his 12 points in the final quarter. The Titans and their signature outside shooting was responsible for nine 3-pointers.

Battle Ground (18-9) is still headed to the Tacoma Dome for the first time since the 2001-02 season, and by now, the Tigers are used to playing in elimination games.

After placing third in the 4A GSHL, the Tigers won a play-in game just to reach the 4A bi-district tournament. Once they did, they won three straight elimination games and played four games in four days to clinch a regional berth.

Coach Manny Melo was pleased with his team’s defensive effort Friday, and knows a tough postseason path is nothing new.

“But it gets harder as we get going,” Melo said. … We always put ourselves in a tough spot.”

UNION 56, BATTLE GROUND 37

BATTLE GROUND (18-9) — Jaiden Linville 0, KeAndre Hunter-Holliday 2, Vincent McCormic 7, Colin Barton 8, Nathan Millspaugh 2, Brendan Beall 7, Kaden Perry 11, Lukas Karlsson 3, David Reed 0, Cole Bowden 0. Totals 14 (4) 8-15 37.

UNION (24-1) — Brad Lackey 12, Houston Combs 8, Izaiah Vongnath 0, Ariya Briscoe 0, Josh Reznick 0, Tanner Toolson 12, Ethan Smith 11, Connor Flannigan 0, Mason Hill 0, Ty McCullum 6, Curtis Youngren 2, Alishawuan Taylor 6. Totals 22 (9) 4-5 56.

Battle Ground 8 9 7 13—37

Union 20 10 7 19—56

BELLEVUE — The Camas gymnastics team performed its way into rarefied air on Friday evening.

The Papermakers posted the third-highest team score in WIAA history, 184.895, and brought home its second consecutive 4A gymnastics state championship at Sammamish High School.

In the second team title in program history, Camas scored the most any team has scored since Sehome posted a 185.450 in 1993. Woodinville, which Camas beat by just under five points on Friday, holds the state record with 187.375.

“This is probably the strongest meet that we’ve ever had as a whole collective and a lot of girls have had their best meet here,” McGee said. “It’s good to have that at state and not another meet.”

Camas sophomore Shea McGee finished first in the all-around with a score of 38.175 across four events, a year after finishing in second place as a freshman.

Two other Camas gymnasts medaled in the all-around — sophomore Alyssa Shibata (36.925, sixth) and freshman Peyton Cody (36.850, tied-eighth) — and many more placed in the top-16 in an individual event to advance to the final Saturday morning.

McGee finished first in the vault with a 9.750 in the team’s last event of the day. When the scoreboard lit up with McGee’s mark, the Papermakers jumped and embraced each other. Though there was another session to be played, and statewide powerhouse Woodinville was among that field, the Papermakers knew their score would carry them through to a repeat.

And they were right.

Coach Carol Willson told her assistant coach Tricia Hoppa at the beginning of the season she felt this team could score 184 in a meet. In over 20 years of coaching, Willson had never coached a team that had reached such a high mark.

She knew to hit it would require near perfection.

On Friday, that’s what Willson got. The Papermakers saw each gymnast execute a routine without a single fall.

“We hit 24 of 24,” Willson said. “Every routine. Six on each event, we hit every routine, no falls. Not one.”

It was the top mark of the season for a deep Papermaker squad that reached 180 on its best days throughout the season. At districts, some of the gymnasts thought they’d reached their pinnacle with a performance that only saw one fall across the entire team.

Friday proved that wrong.

“We are so on top of it. Best all-around (McGee’s) ever had,” Willson said. “(Sophomore) Lili Ford, oh my god, she’s never hit every event. Alyssa (Shibata), Peyton (Cody), everything. All four of them hit everything. All the kids did. But those four, man, they were on.”

In 2018, Camas became the first 4A team from Southwest Washington to win a state title (Columbia River won the 3A title in 2009).

Now Willson, who saw her state title team of 19 increase to 40 gymnasts this season, mostly underclassmen, is thinking forward.

“And we’ll be even stronger next year,” Willson said.

4A STATE GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Sammamish High School, Bellevue
TEAM SCORES — 1, Camas 184.825; 2, Woodinville 179.850; 3, Newport 176.200; 4, Mead 172.450.
ALL-AROUND (final)—1, Shea McGee (Camas) 38.175; 2, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 37.700; 3, Ellie Mann (Woodinville) 37.450; 4, Ashley Yang (Kentwood) 37.250; 5, Hailey Kunimura (Auburn Riverside) 37.025; 6, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 36.925; 7, Cecelia Loudermilk (Kentlake) 36.900; T8 Maddie LoMauro (Newport) 36.850; T8, Peyton Cody (Camas) 36.850.

Event scores (top-16 advance)
VAULT—1, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.750; 2, Ashley Yang (Kentwood) 9.525; 3, Maddie LoMauro (Newport) 9.500; T4, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 9.475; T4, Ellie Mann (Woodinville) 9.475; T4, Lili Ford (Camas) 9.475; 7, Emma Rochleau (Tahoma) 9.450; 8, Emily Yang (Kentwood) 9.400. Other locals: T15, Kayja Jacques (Union) 9.200; 21, Peyton Cody (Camas) 9.125; 26, Anna Sugarman (Skyview) 9.050; T27, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 9.000; 30, Olivia Chou (Skyview) 8.925; 31, Joy Marsh (Camas) 8.900; T33, Neely Simone (Union) 8.800; 44, Madison Martin (Camas) 8.725; 91, Mackenzie Ridgway (Union) 7.800; 94, Alyssa Powell (Union) 7.550.

BEAM—1, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 9.500; T2, Ellie Mann (Woodinville) 9.475; T2, Allina Hebling (University) 9.475; 4, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.450; 5, Hailey Kunimura (Auburn Riverside) 9.400; 6, Alyssa Hatch (Auburn Riverside) 9.250; 7, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 9.300; 8, Emma O’Toole (Rogers) 9.275. Other locals: 9, Mackenzie Ridgway (Union) 9.225; T12, Lili Ford (Camas) 9.175; T19, Peyton Cody (Camas) 9.050; T19, Morgan MacIntyre (Camas) 9.050; T22, Madison Martin (Camas) 9.000; T24, Kayja Jacques (Union)8.975; T51, Madison Schalk (Union) 8.525; T88, Riley LeCocq (Skyview)7.500; 93, Madison Summers (Skyview) 7.150.

FLOOR—1, Alyssa Hatch (Auburn Riv.) 9.650; 2, Samena Tate (Auburn Riv.) 9.625; 3, Ashley Yang (Kentwood) 9.600; T4, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.575; T4, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 9.575; T4, Ariana Martinez (Auburn Mountainview) 9.575; T4, Salina Mayanja (Bothell) 9.575; T4, Sophia Shawen (Mead) 9.575. Other locals: T16, Lili Ford (Camas) 9.425; T19, Mackenzie Ridgway (Union) 9.400; T24, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 9.375; T28, Peyton Cody (Camas) 9.350; T28, Anna Sugarman (Skyview) 9.350; T35, Lizzy Wing (Camas) 9.300; T60, Kayja Jacques (Union) 9.075; T65, Joy Marsh (Camas) 9.000; 73, Madison Schalk (Union) 8.925; T86, Olivia Chou (Skyview) 8.350; 89, Riley LeCocq (Skyview) 8.300.

BARS—1, Cora Taylor (Bothell) 9.500; 2, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.400; 3, Anna Sugarman (Skyview) 9.375; 4, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 9.350; 5, Peyton Cody (Camas) 9.325; 6, Cecelia Loudermilk (Kentlake) 9.250; T7, Hailey Kunimura (Auburn Riverside) 9.225; 7T, Alexandria Thomas (Ferris) 9.225. Other locals: T11, Olivia Bane (Camas) 9.075; 14, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 9.050; 28, Lili Ford (Camas) 8.475; 32, Mackenzie Ridgway (Union) 8.325; T33, Grace Alonzo (Camas) 8.275; 51, Madison Schalk (Union) 7.700; 79, Riley LeCocq (Skyview) 6.650; T80, Kayja Jacques (Union) 6.600.
*locals in bold

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

BOYS BASKETBALL

Class 2A regional

Columbia River vs. Selah, 2 p.m. at Battle Ground HS

Class 1A regional

La Center vs. Deer Park, 10 a.m. at Battle Ground HS

Seton Catholic vs. Bellevue Christian, noon at Issaquah HS

King’s Way Christian vs. Overlake, 4 p.m. at Battle Ground HS

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Class 4A regional

Camas vs. Chiawana, noon at  Richland HS

Class 3A regional

Prairie vs. Arlington, noon at Battle Ground HS

Hudson’s Bay vs. Roosevelt, 4 p.m. at Garfield HS, Seattle

Class 2A regional

Washougal vs. East Valley-Spokane, noon at University HS, Spokane

GYMNASTICS

4A state meet, 11 a.m. at Sammamish HS, Bellevue

BOYS BASKETBALL

CLASS 4A

STATE REGIONALS

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Union 56, Battle Ground 37

Saturday’s games

(7) Curtis (19-5) vs. (2) Gonzaga Prep (21-2), 6 p.m. at University HS, Spokane

(6) Jackson (18-3) vs. (3) Federal Way (23-2), 4 p.m. at Issaquah

(5) Richland (20-3) vs. (4) Mount Si (22-2), 4 p.m. at Issaquah

Elimination games

Glacier Peak 59, Issaquah 49

Puyallup 57, Chiawana 42

Saturday’s games

(15) Mariner (14-9) vs. (9) Kentridge (19-7), 6 p.m. at Auburn Mountainview HS

(13) Mount Rainier (17-8) vs. (12) Wenatchee (17-5), 4 p.m. at Ellensburg HS

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

(11) Puyallup (20-7) vs. Federal Way/Jackson loser, 9 a.m.

(10) Glacier Peak (15-7) vs. Curtis-Gonzaga Prep loser, 10:30 a.m.

(8) Battle Ground (18-9) vs. Kentridge-Mariner winner, 2 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(1) Union (24-1) vs. TBD, 10:30 a.m.

UNION 56, BATTLE GROUND 37

BATTLE GROUND (18-9) — Jaiden Linville 0, KeAndre Hunter-Holliday 2, Vincent McCormic 7, Colin Barton 8, Nathan Millspaugh 2, Brendan Beall 7, Kaden Perry 11, Lukas Karlsson 3, David Reed 0, Cole Bowden 0. Totals 14 (4) 8-15 37.

UNION (24-1) — Brad Lackey 12, Houston Combs 8, Izaiah Vongnath 0, Ariya Briscoe 0, Josh Reznick 0, Tanner Toolson 12, Ethan Smith 11, Connor Flannigan 0, Mason Hill 0, Ty McCullum 6, Curtis Youngren 2, Alishawuan Taylor 6. Totals 22 (9) 4-5 56.

B. Ground 8 9 7 13—37

Union 20 10 7 19—56

CLASS 3A

STATE REGIONALS

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Mount Spokane 71, Prairie 52

Rainier Beach 75, Lincoln 57

Saturday’s games

(8) West Seattle (16-7) vs. (1) Eastside Catholic (22-2), 8 p.m. at Issaquah HS

(5) Kelso (20-3) vs. (4) Marysville Pilchuck (19-3), noon at Everett CC

Elimination games

Wilson 63, Arlington 54

Saturday’s games

(16) Shorecrest (14-9) vs. (9) Capital (19-4), 6 p.m. at Tumwater HS

(15) Shadle Park (15-10) vs. (10) Ingraham (16-7), 2 p.m. at Garfield HS, Seattle

(14) Stanwood (15-6) vs. (11) O’Dea (15-7), 6 p.m. at Garfield HS, Seattle

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

(6) Lincoln (19-5) vs. O’Dea/Stanwood winner, 3:45 p.m.

(7) Prairie (17-8) vs. Shadle Park-Ingraham winner, 5:30 p.m.

(13) Wilson (18-9) vs. Kelso/Marysville-Pilchuck loser, 7:15 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(3) Rainier Beach (19-4) vs. TBD, 7:15 p.m.

(2) Mount Spokane (22-1) vs.  TBD, 9 p.m.

MOUNT SPOKANE 71, PRAIRIE 52

PRAIRIE (17-8) — Aidan Fraly 9, Kameron Osborn 19, AJ Dixson 7, Thomas Hapgood 3, Mark Frazier 0, Gabe Lilly 2, Hayden Rose 0, Brady Gagnon 2, Bronson King 0, Reece Walling 0. Totals 19 (8) 6-6 52.

MOUNT SPOKANE (22-1) — Spencer Barrera 4, Tanner Brooks 9, Jack McClary 0, Mitch Stengle 0, Jerry Twenge 12, Logan Miller 0, JT Smith 17, Jojo Anderson 2, Jayden Williamson 2, Tyson Degenhart 25, Harley Peterson 0. Totals 31 (8) 1-4 71.

Prairie 14 6 7 25—52

Mt.Spokane 23 18 23 7—71

CLASS 2A

STATE REGIONALS

Winner-to-quarterfinals

North Kitsap 59, Clarkston 51

Saturday’s games

(8) Franklin Pierce (23-3) vs. (1) Lynden (22-1), 8 p.m. at Mt. Vernon HS

(7) Selah (17-5) vs. (2) Columbia River (21-2), 2 p.m. at Battle Ground HS

(5) Pullman (19-5) vs. (4) Burlington-Edison (19-6), 2 p.m. at Everett CC

Elimination games

Anacortes 44, Black Hills 38

Liberty 49, Steilacoom 48

Renton 55, Mark Morris 53

Saturday’s game

(16) Olympic (13-11) vs. (9) Fife (19-7), noon at Puyallup HS

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

(14) Liberty (16-9) vs. Clarkston (15-8), 9 a.m.

(10) Anacortes (16-8) vs. Selah/Columbia River loser, 10:30 a.m.

(13) Renton (19-8) vs. Pullman/Burlington-Edison loser, 12:15 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(3) North Kitsap (22-4) vs. TBD, 12:15 p.m.

CLASS 1A

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

(8) Connell (19-4) vs. (1) Lynden Christian (23-0), 2 p.m. at Mt. Vernon HS

(7) Deer Park (20-2) vs. (2) La Center (21-2), 10 a.m. at Battle Ground HS

(6) Cashmere (17-5) vs. (3) Zillah (22-1), 6 p.m. at AC Davis HS, Yakima

(5) Seattle Academy (18-3) vs. (4) Okanogan (18-5), 6 p.m. at Wenatchee HS

Elimination games

Royal 57, Cascade Christian 45

Saturday’s games

(16) Naches Valley (15-8) vs. (10) King’s (18-5), 6 p.m. at Everett CC

(14) Overlake (15-6) vs. (11) King’s Way Christian (15-8), 4 p.m. at Battle Ground HS

(13) Seton Catholic (18-6) vs. (12) Bellevue Christian (15-7), noon at Issaquah HS

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

(9) Royal (19-5) vs. Connell/Lynden Christian loser, 9 p.m.

CLASS 2B

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

(8) Lake Roosevelt (19-5) vs. (1) Kittitas (24-1), 6 p.m. at Ellensburg HS

(7) Life Christian (18-4) vs. (2) Toledo (21-2), 4 p.m. at Tumwater HS

(6) Willapa Valley (19-5) vs. (3) St. George’s (21-2), 4 p.m. at West Valley HS, Spokane

(5) Toutle Lake (16-7) vs. (4) Brewster (18-5), 6 p.m. at Eastmont HS, Wenatchee

Elimination games

(16) White Swan (11-14) vs. (9) Liberty (15-9), 8 p.m. at University HS, Spokane

(15) La Conner (13-9) vs. (10) Asotin (16-8), noon at West Valley HS, Spokane

(13) Napavine (15-10) vs. (11) Oroville (17-6), 4 p.m. at Wenatchee HS

(14) Friday Harbor (15-7) vs. (12) Kalama (14-9), 2 p.m. at Tumwater HS

CLASS 1B

STATE REGIONALS

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Almira-Coulee-Hartline 60, Odessa 52

Saturday’s games

(8) Naselle vs. (1) Sunnyside Christian (22-1), 2 p.m. at Ellensburg HS

(6) Yakama Tribal (16-8) vs. (3) Lummi (22-1), 10 a.m. at Mt. Vernon HS

(5) Muckleshoot (22-3) vs. (4) Tulalip Heritage (20-4), 2 p.m. at Jackson HS, Everett

Elimination games

Riverside Christian 54, Taholah 52

Saturday’s games

(16) Lopez (9-13) vs. (9) Garfield Palouse (16-8), 10 a.m. at West Valley HS, Spokane

(15) Pateros (15-8) vs. (10) Neah Bay (15-6), noon at Mt. Tahoma HS, Tacoma

(13) Corcordia Christian (16-9) vs. (12) Oakesdale (16-7), 8 p.m. at West Valley HS, Spokane

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Elimination games, Wednesday

(11) Riverside Christian (16-5) vs. Yakaka Tribal/Lummi, 3:45 p.m.

(2) Odessa (22-2) vs. Pateros/Neah Bay winner, 5:30 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(7) Almira-Coulee-Hartline (19-4) vs. TBD, 9 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

CLASS 4A

STATE REGIONALS

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Eastlake 63, Woodinville 54

Saturday’s games

(7) Inglemoor (20-5) vs. (2) Kentridge (23-2), 4 p.m. at Auburn Mountainview HS

(6) Bellarmine (20-4) vs. (3) Lewis & Clark (20-3), 4 p.m. at University HS, Spokane

(5) Glacier Peak (20-1) vs. (4) Central Valley (20-3), 2 p.m. at University HS, Spokane

Elimination games

Hazen 47, Curtis 45

Saturday’s games

(16) Newport (14-12) vs. (9) Sunnyside (20-2), noon at AC Davis HS, Yakima

(14) Rogers-Puyallup (17-8) vs. (10) Todd Beamer (19-6), 10 a.m. t Puyallup HS

(13) Camas (16-9) vs. (12) Chiawana (18-6), noon at Richland HS

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

(15) Hazen (17-9) vs. Bellarmine Prep/Lewis & Clark loser, 3:45 p.m.

(1) Woodinville (22-3) vs. Newport/Sunnyside winner, 9 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(8) Eastlake (19-6) vs. TBD, 5 :30 p.m.

CLASS 3A

STATE REGIONALS

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Mount Spokane 63, Bethel 32

Saturday’s games

(8) Arlington (17-5) vs. (1) Prairie (21-2), noon at Battle Ground

(6) Seattle Prep (19-3) vs. (3) Garfield (20-2), 6 p.m. at Issaquah

(5) Peninsula (18-4) vs. (4) Kamiakin (21-2), 6 p.m. at Richland HS

Elimination games

West Seattle 41, Meadowdale 40

Saturday’s games

(15) Edmonds-Woodway (13-9) vs. (10) Gig Harbor (17-7), 2 p.m. at Mt. Tahoma HS

(16) Lake Washington (15-8) vs. (11) Snohomish (15-7), 6 p.m. at Jackson HS, Everett

(13) Hudson’s Bay (19-6) vs. (12) Roosevelt (17-7), 4 p.m. at Garfield HS, Seattle

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

(7) Bethel (20-4) vs. Gig Harbor/Edmonds-Woodway winner, 10:30 a.m.

(9) West Seattle (17-5) vs. Prairie/Arlington loser, 2 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(2) Mt. Spokane (22-1) vs. TBD, 2 p.m.

CLASS 2A

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s

winner-to-quarterfinals

(8) W.F. West (17-6) vs. (1) Lynden (20-3), 6 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Vernon HS

(7) Washougal (19-4) vs. (2) East Valley-Spokane (19-3), noon Saturday at University HS, Spokane

(6) Port Angeles (20-3) vs. (3) Clarkston (22-2), 2 p.m. Saturday at Richland HS

(5) Archbishop Murphy (19-3) vs. (4) White River (23-3), 2 p.m. Saturday at Puyallup HS

Elimination games

Sequim 54, Foster 44

Saturday’s games

(16) Renton (16-11) vs. (9) Burlington-Edison (19-4), 4 p.m. at Everett CC

(15) North Kitsap (16-8) vs. (10) Anacortes (15-8), 4 p.m. at Mt. Vernon HS

(13) Black Hills (16-8) vs. (12) Grandview (18-5), 2 p.m. at AC Davis HS, Yakima

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

(14) Sequim (17-7) vs. Port Angeles/Clarkston loser, 3:45 p.m.

CLASS 1A

STATE REGIONALS

Winner-to-quarterfinals

LaSalle 50, King’s 27

Cashmere 47, Elma 34

Saturday’s games

(7) Meridian (18-5) vs. (2) Bellevue Christian (21-2), 2 p.m. at Issaquah

(6) Annie Wright (20-3) vs. (3) Lynden Christian (20-3), noon at Mt. Vernon HS

Elimination games

Medical Lakes 42, King’s Way Christian 31

Freeman 62, Connell 42

Overlake 44, Granger 30

Saturday’s game

(15) Montesano (15-9) vs. (11) Zillah (17-6), 4 p.m. at AC Davis HS, Yakima

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

(10) Freeman (18-5) vs. Bellevue Christian/Meridian loser, 10:30 a.m.

(5) Elma (21-3) vs. (13) Overlake (18-4), 12:15 p.m.

(8) King’s (20-6) vs. (9) Medical Lake (18-6), 2 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Cashmere (21-2) vs. TBD, 9 a.m.

(1) La Salle (24-0) vs. TBD, 10:30 a.m.

MEDICAL LAKE 42, KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 31

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (16-8) — Hannah Moats 9, Laurel Quinn 0, Abby Cummins 8, Tyra Schroeder 3, MacKenzie Ellertson 11, Lacey Zook 0. Totals 11 (7) 2-6. 31.

MEDICAL LAKE (18-6) — Emily Munson 3, Allison Duncan 9, Jaycee Oliver 0, Jessica Lohman 12, Jaxyn Farmen 2, Lexie Redell 14, Ellie Acord 2. Totals 15 (7) 5-6 42.

KWC 10 10 2 8—31

M. Lake 8 13 6 15—42

CLASS 2B

STATE REGIONALS

Winner-to-quarterfinals

La Conner 54, Liberty 44

Saturday’s games

(8) Rainier (21-2) vs. (1) Wahkiakum (22-1), 6 p.m. at Mark Morris HS

(7) Auburn Adventist (20-1) VS. (2) Tri-Cities Prep (24-1), 8 p.m. at Richland HS

(5) Davenport (20-4) VS. (4) Ilwaco (21-2), 4 p.m. at Mark Morris HS, Longview

Elimination games

Willapa Valley 44, Lake Roosevelt 35

Saturday’s games

(16) Mabton (16-10) VS. (9) Brewster (18-4), 8 p.m. at Eastmont HS, Wenatchee

(15) South Bend (15-9) VS. (10) Liberty Bell (18-5), 2 p.m. at Wenatchee HS

(13) Ocosta (16-6) VS. (12) St. George’s (15-9), 2 p.m. at West Valley HS, Spokane

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Elimination games, Wednesday

(11) Willapa Valley (19-5) vs. (6) Liberty (20-4), 3:45 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(3) La Conner (19-3) vs. TBD, 7:15 p.m.

CLASS 1B

STATE REGIONALS

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Almira-Coulee-Hartline 48, Sunnyside Christian 38

Neah Bay 58, Mt. Vernon Christian 40

Saturday’s games

(8) Concordia Christian (21-4) VS. (1) Colton (20-2), 6 p.m. Saturday at West Valley HS, Spokane

(7) Taholah (18-4) VS. (2) Pomeroy (20-3), 4 p.m. Saturday at Richland HS

Elimination games

Inchelium 62, Entiat 38

Naselle 67, Clallam Bay 55

Saturday’s games

(16) Riverside Christian (13-10) VS. (9) Grace Academy (15-5), 4 p.m. at Jackson HS, Everett

(15) Selkirk (14-9) VS. (10) Puget Sound Adventist (19-5), 8 p.m. at Garfield HS, Seattle

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Elimination games, Wednesday

(14) Inchelium (17-8) vs. (6) Sunnyside Christian (19-5), 9 a.m.

(12) Naselle (15-8) vs. (4) Mt. Vernon Christian (21-3), 12:15 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(5) Neah Bay (21-2) vs. Inchelium/Sunnyside Christian winner, 9 a.m.

(3) Almira-Coulee-Hartline (22-1) vs. Naselle/Mt. Vernon Christian winner, 12:15 p.m.

GYMNASTICS

4A STATE MEET

At Sammamish High, Bellevue

TEAM SCORES — 1, Camas 184.825; 2, Woodinville 179.850; 3, Newport 176.200; 4, Mead 172.450.

ALL-AROUND (final)—1, Shea McGee (Camas) 38.175; 2, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 37.700; 3, Ellie Mann (Woodinville) 37.450; 4, Ashley Yang (Kentwood) 37.250; 5, Hailey Kunimura (Auburn Riverside) 37.025; 6, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 36.925; 7, Cecelia Loudermilk (Kentlake) 36.900; T8 Maddie LoMauro (Newport) 36.850; T8 Peyton Cody (Camas) 36.850.

Event scores (top-16 advance)

VAULT—1, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.750; 2, Ashley Yang (Kentwood) 9.525; 3, Maddie LoMauro (Newport) 9.500; T4, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 9.475; T4, Ellie Mann (Woodinville) 9.475; T4, Lili Ford (Camas) 9.475; 7, Emma Rochleau (Tahoma) 9.450; 8, Emily Yang (Kentwood) 9.400. Other locals: T15, Kayja Jacques (Union) 9.200; 21, Peyton Cody (Camas) 9.125; 26, Anna Sugarman (Skyview) 9.050; T27, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 9.000; 30, Olivia Chou (Skyview) 8.925; 31, Joy Marsh (Camas) 8.900; T33, Neely Simone (Union) 8.800; 44, Madison Martin (Camas) 8.725; 91, Mackenzie Ridgway (Union) 7.800; 94, Alyssa Powell (Union) 7.550.

BEAM—1, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 9.500; T2, Ellie Mann (Woodinville) 9.475; T2, Allina Hebling (University) 9.475; 4, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.450; 5, Hailey Kunimura (Auburn Riverside) 9.400; 6, Alyssa Hatch (Auburn Riverside) 9.250; 7, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 9.300; 8, Emma O’Toole (Rogers) 9.275. Other locals: 9, Mackenzie Ridgway (Union) 9.225; T12, Lili Ford (Camas) 9.175; T19, Peyton Cody (Camas) 9.050; T19, Morgan MacIntyre (Camas) 9.050; T22, Madison Martin (Camas) 9.000; T24, Kayja Jacques (Union)8.975; T51, Madison Schalk (Union) 8.525; T88, Riley LeCocq (Skyview)7.500; 93, Madison Summers (Skyview) 7.150.

FLOOR—1, Alyssa Hatch (Auburn Riv.) 9.650; 2, Samena Tate (Auburn Riv.) 9.625; 3, Ashley Yang (Kentwood) 9.600; T4, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.575; T4, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 9.575; T4, Ariana Martinez (Auburn Mountainview) 9.575; T4, Salina Mayanja (Bothell) 9.575; T4, Sophia Shawen (Mead) 9.575. Other locals: T16, Lili Ford (Camas) 9.425; T19, Mackenzie Ridgway (Union) 9.400; T24, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 9.375; T28, Peyton Cody (Camas) 9.350; T28, Anna Sugarman (Skyview) 9.350; T35, Lizzy Wing (Camas) 9.300; T60, Kayja Jacques (Union) 9.075; T65, Joy Marsh (Camas) 9.000; 73, Madison Schalk (Union) 8.925; T86, Olivia Chou (Skyview) 8.350; 89, Riley LeCocq (Skyview) 8.300.

BARS—1, Cora Taylor (Bothell) 9.500; 2, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.400; 3, Anna Sugarman (Skyview) 9.375; 4, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 9.350; 5, Peyton Cody (Camas) 9.325; 6, Cecelia Loudermilk (Kentlake) 9.250; T7, Hailey Kunimura (Auburn Riverside) 9.225; 7T, Alexandria Thomas (Ferris) 9.225. Other locals: T11, Olivia Bane (Camas) 9.075; 14, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 9.050; 28, Lili Ford (Camas) 8.475; 32, Mackenzie Ridgway (Union) 8.325; T33, Grace Alonzo (Camas) 8.275; 51, Madison Schalk (Union) 7.700; 79, Riley LeCocq (Skyview) 6.650; T80, Kayja Jacques (Union) 6.600.

3A/2A/1A STATE MEET

At Sammamish High, Bellevue

Individual Finals

Top-8 (medalists)

BEAM—1, Grace Gordon (Columbia River) 9.625; T2, Abigal Winstead (Kamiakin) 9.550; T2, Ellery Gilmer (Lake Wash.) 9.550; 4, Martine Klecka (Sehome) 9.525; T5, Hanna Hill (Mt. Spokane) 9.425; 7, Erin McGinnis (White River) 9.400; T8, Courteney Hori (Lake Washington) 9.375.

FLOOR—1, Abigal Winstead (Kamiakin) 9.700; 2, Sydney Griswold (Sammamish) 9.600; T3, Lianne Kistler (9.550) 9.550; T3, Allison Lofquist (Juanita) 9.550; 5, Amaya Gales (Kamiakin)  9.525; 6, Kaysa Lundberg (Holy Names) 9.500; 7, Hanna Hill (Mt. Spokane) 0.475; T8, Martina Klecka (Sehome) 9.450; T8, Chylye Schillen (White River) 9.450.

BARS—1, Lianne Kistler (Ballard) 9.600; 2, Sydney Griswold (Sammamish) 9.550; 3, Maddi Bughi (Mt. Spokane) 9.500; 4, SiQi Talley (Bainbridge) 9.425; 5, Cait McNeill (Holy Names) 9.400; 6, Gina Twenge (Mt. Spokane) 9.375; 7, Grace Gordon (Columbia River) 9.250; T8, Gloria Wang (Juanita) 9.175; T8, Ally Neiders (Holy Names) 9.175.

VAULT—1, Lianne Kistler (Ballard) 9.475; 2, Laly Noriega (Lake Washington) 9.425; 3, Sydney Griswold (Sammamish) 9.400; 4, Amaya Gales (Kamiakin) 9.350; 5, Allison Lofquist (Juanita) 9.325; 6, Chylye Schillen (White River) 9.225; T7, Martina Klecka (Sehome) 9.200; T7, Kaysa Lundberg (Holy Names) 9.200.

BATTLE GROUND — There’s certainly a lot of positives, particularly for the La Center Wildcats, by winning their Saturday 1A boys basketball regional game against Deer Park.

For starters, they get a first-round bye straight to the quarterfinals, can watch potential opponents, and perhaps the most important, be on the opposite side of the bracket as state contenders Lynden Christian and King’s.

One of La Center’s two losses this season is to top-ranked Lynden Christian, a 12-point road defeat Dec. 1.

“We have a pretty good way to get the championship,” said junior Evan Norris after the Wildcats’ 63-46 win Saturday at Battle Ground High School. “That’s huge, really huge.”

Norris had a team-best 15 points, Avery Setter added 14 and Hunter Ecklund had all 13 of his points in the second half, as the Wildcats used their defense to spark an offensive run in the third to cruise to the 17-point win.

But a possible rematch with Lynden Christian if all goes the Wildcats’ way is on their minds, as they shift to the Yakima Valley SunDome for the 1A state tournament. La Center plays its 1A state quarterfinal game at 9 p.m. Thursday.

“Now we get to watch our opponent play the day before,” Norris said. “We have a really big advantage.”

Saturday, the final score didn’t indicate the struggles early on for both La Center and Deer Park, especially on turnovers. La Center’s lead was just one at halftime at 27-26, as Deer Park forced nine steals that contributed to the Wildcats’ 12 first-half turnovers.

Ecklund, the Trico League MVP, said the Stags’ style of pressure defense was something the Wildcats weren’t used to.

The second-half change came defensively.

“I think our press wore them down,” Ecklund said, “and after that, it was game over.”

It was after La Center used a 15-2 run that began at the end of the third quarter and extended into the fourth. A big part of that was Ecklund, who had nine points in the third quarter and his first points came at the 4:21 mark of the third, in addition to the final field goal of the quarter that pushed the Wildcats’ lead to 50-40.

Jobi Gelder led all scorers for Deer Park, which plays a first-round state game Wednesday, with 23 points.

—

LA CENTER 63, DEER PARK 46

DEER PARK — Chase Wisinger 9, Isaac Berglund 11, Jobi Gelder 23, Hunter Dryden 1, Dawson Youngblood 2. Totals 21 (3) 3-4 46.

LA CENTER — Hunter Ball 0, Colby SHaw 9, Parker Ball 0, Ben Kelley 0, Tobey Deemer 0, Evan Norris 15, Avery Seter 14, Matt Bryant 7, Hunter Ecklund 13, Jeremy Humprey 0, Riley Fender 0. Totals 27 (6) 1-2 63.

Deer Park 17 9 13 6 – 46

La Center 16 11 23 13 – 63

BATTLE GROUND — Cassidy Gardner sat on the question awhile before answering.

When was the last time she had a shooting performance as good as Saturday’s 3A girls basketball regional game against Arlington, in which the Portland State-bound senior hit 8 of 15 shots, including 50 percent from 3-point range (5 of 10)?

Think back to December, she said. And naturally, she deflected credit to her teammates post-game Saturday following the top-ranked Falcons’ 55-46 victory at Battle Ground High School.

“My teammates are a big part of that,” she said. … they have enough confidence in me to push the ball up the floor and make sure I’m in rhythm. When I’m in rhythm, I shoot a lot better.”

Gardner, the 3A Greater St. Helens League co-MVP with teammate Brooke Walling, is Prairie’s leading scorer, but not the only 3-point specialist. The Falcons are littered with shooters and 3-point specialists, and Saturday happened to be Gardner’s game.

She hit her rhythm early, scoring Prairie’s first nine points on 3 of 4 3-point shooting minutes into the game on her way to a game-high 25 points. The win sends Prairie to Thursday’s 3A state quarterfinal at 10:30 a.m. Arlington plays in an elimination game Wednesday to open state.

Prairie is in a different situation now from this time a year ago when the Falcons won their 3A elimination regional game, but lost to Stanwood to open the state tournament. That’s why Gardner called Saturday’s win an energy booster heading into the Tacoma Dome.

Prairie never trailed after Walling gave the Falcons an 11-9 first-quarter lead. Walling joined Gardner with double-digit scoring figures (11 points) and also was key defensively with three blocks.

Prairie led by as many as 15 points twice, including Haley Reed’s free throws that made it a 51-36 lead with 3:29 to play.

The Falcons say they had a different edge entering Saturday’s regional game following a third-place finish at bi-districts. The Falcons lost to Bethel in the bi-district semifinals, and then dispatched reigning 3A state champion Gig Harbor for third place.

Now, they’re focused on what they hope to be three straight winner’s bracket games in Tacoma.

“From here on out,” Gardner said, “that’s what matters.”

—

PRAIRIE 55, ARLINGTON 46

ARLINGTON — Jordan Bartlow 2, Keira Marsh 9, Abbey Hassing 6, Sierra Scheppele 10, Josie Stupey 7, Allison DeBerry 5, Makenzie Gage 2, Abby Schwark 3. Totals 12 (5) 9-12 46.

PRAIRIE — Meri Dunford 6, Allison Corral 2, Kendyl Carson 4, Brooke Walling 11, Mallory Williams 5, Cassidy Gardner 25, Haley Reed 2, Claire Heitschmidt 0. Totals 17 (6) 15-20 55.

Arlington 9 8 10 19 – 46

Prairie 13 13 15 14 – 55

SPOKANE VALLEY – The Washougal girls basketball team didn’t always have its shots fall on Saturday.

But the Panthers did have their high-intensity defense.

And despite having won 13 straight games, Washougal had an underdog mentality.

All that allowed Washougal to knock off No. 2 ranked East Valley-Spokane 52-45 in the regional round of the 2A state tournament at University High.

The No. 7 Panthers (21-4) clinched a berth in the state quarterfinals Thursday in Yakima. East Valley (19-4) falls into an elimination game Wednesday.

It’s the fourth straight trip to state for the Panthers, who have now reached the quarterfinals three of the past four years.

And while Washougal has one of the state’s top players in Idaho-bound senior Beyonce Bea, the Panthers are flourishing with three freshman and a sophomore playing heavy minutes.

“We’ve proved so many people wrong,” said senior guard Kiara Cross. “We’ve even proved ourselves wrong, in a way. We’re doing what nobody thought we could do and it feels awesome. We’re riding this wave together, as a team, as sisters.”

Bea scored a game-high 22 points. But the star was Washougal’s defense, which held East Valley to a season-low in points, 16 below its average.

That defense also kept Washougal in the game when shots weren’t falling. Both teams struggled from the field in the first half, which ended with East Valley ahead 20-19. Freshman Sammy Mederos had two 3-pointers to keep the Panthers close.

“We just kept our head up and kept shooting,” junior forward McKinley Stotts said. “We knew that eventually the buckets would fall because offense comes from defense.”

Facing double-teams and defenders that denied her the ball, Bea finally heated up in the third quarter. She scored seven points within one minute to give Washougal a 29-27 lead, its first since early in the game.

Washougal also began to control the boards and smother physical senior post Genesis Wilkinson, who scored 19 points.

“We rotated really well and had good help,” Stotts said. “They had a really good big girl in there. She got on the boards a lot, but in the second half we boxed out really well.”

Washougal took control early in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Skylar Bea had a three-point play followed by 3-pointers by freshman Jaiden Bea and Beyonce Bea on consecutive possessions.

That gave Washougal a 44-35 lead for forced East Valley into desperation mode. Washougal maintained its cushion at the foul line, hitting 10 of 12 free throws in the final quarter.

Now Washougal is headed to Yakima, where the Panthers hope to top their best finish of fourth place in 2016.

A fourth straight trip to Yakima cements a legacy for seniors Bea, Cross and Ashley Gibbons. It also lays a strong foundation for a young roster with seven underclassmen.

“It’s unreal, especially for the freshmen to have this experience,” Cross said. “When the seniors are gone, everybody know what this drive takes and how much work goes into it.”

WASHOUGAL 52, EAST VALLEY-SPOKANE 45

WASHOUGAL – Kiara Cross 2, Jaiden Bea 7, Savea Mansfield 3, Beyonce Bea 22, McKinley Stotts 2, Ashley Gibbons 2, Sammy Mederos 6, Skylar Bea 8. Totals 15 (4) 18-24 52.

EAST VALLEY-SPOKANE – Genesis Wilkinson 19, Mataya Green 4, Holly Flynn 4, Destiny Hillyard 0, Ellie Stowell 0, Brie Holecek 6, Hannah Rowland 0, Faith Adams 12. Totals 17 (2) 9-15 45.

Washougal  11       8          14       19—52

E.Valley        10       10       13       12—45

RICHLAND — One shot was all they had left.

They traveled most of the 210 miles across the Columbia River Gorge to play in Art Dawald Gymnasium — what many consider the largest high school gym in the state — for one shot to secure a spot on the state’s grandest stage — the WIAA 4A Hardwood Classic on Wednesday at Tacoma.

But the Camas girls simply couldn’t get enough of their attempts to fall through the net.

Entering the fourth quarter down just a basket, Camas finished the game on a 1-for-12 shooting dry spell that ultimately helped aid Chiawana to a 48-34 win.

“Our goal was to pressure them for 32 minutes until they break,” Papermakers head coach Scott Thompson said. “We never truly got our tempo. We pressured. We grinded. We got no transition baskets.”

Thompson acknowledged in the pregame that Chiawana “liked to play slow,” and the Riverhawks executed their style in the first half by taking shots in the paint.

When the Papermakers had an answer for the close shots, with particular focus on all-league player Clare Eubanks, the Riverhawks opted to drive to the key and pass to the open shooter.

And Chiawana made just enough of a mix of inside and outside shots to go into halftime with a 24-18 lead.

But despite the tempo favoring the Riverhawks heading into the third quarter, Camas had reason for optimism in knowing that their own all-league performer, senior standout Haley Hanson, was scoreless to that point.

“She’s usually lights out,” Thompson said of Hanson’s shooting ability. “Every team we play makes her work for everything she gets.”

Then Hanson got the second half scoring going when she made her first of two 3s. Faith Bergstrom, who came off the bench to lead the Papermakers in scoring with 10 points, got the position she needed in the paint to capitalize on a three-point play of her own.

With 2:42 left in the third, and Chiawana still scoreless in the quarter, Hanson hit a step-back 3-pointer on the left wing to give Camas its first lead of the game.

“Haley is gritty,” Thompson said of the senior 4A GSHL player of the year. “That’s been her season.”

But that would be the last basket of her career in a Papermakers uniform and the lead didn’t even last a consecutive possession.

Chiawana senior guard Macey Morales answered right back with a 3 at the top of the key. Delaney Pink followed with a three-point play of her own, and the Riverhawks never looked back.

The last and only Papermaker basket of the fourth quarter went to Ashley Bauer, as she put back a 3-point miss from Hanson to cut the lead to nine with 3:24 left.

Camas then went two minutes scoreless, as the Riverhawks went back to work in the key — and perhaps the Papermakers’ diminishing stamina — as they went to the line 14 times in the fourth quarter alone.

“In coach-speak, we say it takes three years to build it all,” Thompson said after the game. “These girls did it in less than three weeks.

“I couldn’t be happier (moving forward). We have a group that’s deep, talented, hard-working that does what it takes to be successful.”

Despite shooting a season low from the field, Hanson appeared somewhat satisfied with the way her final season played out.

“This was my best season,” Hanson said afterwards. “I had fun playing with teammates new to varsity. We all wanted to play as a family. Everyone bought into what coach was selling.”

And her coach is certainly buying into Hanson’s future prospects, as she’ll play at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, next year.

“She’s the hardest working girl in the room,” Thompson said. “She’s the first one there, last to leave. She’s special. She’ll continue to get better.”

CHIAWANA 48, CAMAS 34

CAMAS (16-10) — Jalena Carlisle 0, Regan Cooke 2, Katelynn Forner 7, Haley Hanson 6, Hannah Booth 7, Katie Hancock 0, Avery Minich 0, Emma Rehrer 0, Faith Bergstrom 10, Ashley Bauer 2. Totals not reported.

CHIAWANA (19-6) — Macey Morales 11, Alyssa Agundis 5, Delaney Pink 15, Bailie Bunger 1, Mykila Burton 0, Sydney Guzman 3, Clare Eubanks 11, Kylie Thorne 2. Totals 18 (6) 18-34 48.

Camas 4 14 12 4–34

Chiawana 10 13 9 16–48

BATTLE GROUND — The Columbia River boys basketball team wants to put Saturday’s loss to Selah in the regional round of the 2A state tournament behind them.

But the Chieftains don’t particularly like what lies ahead of them in Yakima.

Selah used a 14-0 run at the end of the second quarter to build a double-digit lead, then kept River at bay in the second half en route to a 66-61 win Saturday at Battle Ground High School.

Columbia River (21-3) will face Anacortes at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in a loser-out game at the Yakima SunDome. If the Chieftains win that, next would be top-ranked Lynden, the defending state champion.

“When you win state and have everyone come back, I guess that makes you the favorite,” Columbia River David Long said. “I guess it’s like (Mark Morris coach Bill) Bakamus said: We have to take the stairs now, not the elevator.”

River and Selah went toe-to-toe for the first 12 minutes on Saturday when Nate Snook’s drive midway through the second quarter put the Chieftains up 24-23.

Then the Vikings scored the final 14 points of the quarter to go up 37-24 at halftime.

“We just had to stop turning the ball over,” Snook said of River’s second-half approach. “One moment the game was tied, and the next we were down 13. That really cost us.”

Long added: “The ironic part is this one of my best teams in terms of fewest turnovers per game. We just don’t do that.”

River battled back in the third quarter to get within 49-45, but then UC Davis-bound Elijah Peppers knocked down a 3-pointer to end the period.

Evan Dirksen’s basket with 37 seconds left got River back with 61-57. Selah missed four free throws in the final minute, but were able to secure offensive rebounds to keep possession.

“We just couldn’t get the bounces,” Long said.

Elijah Peppers, who missed most of the season with an injury, and his brother Noah had 23 points each for Selah.

“We knew coming in that Selah was not a No. 7 seed,” Long said.

It was Jack Armstrong’s job to make the older Peppers work for every shot he got.

“I thought Jack did a phenomenal job,” Long said. “Jack never came out, but then neither did Elijah. That was just combat all night. It was great seeing two great athletes go at it.”

Armstrong also added 15 points. Dirksen led the Chieftains with 17 points, and Snook added 16.

Now River is in the unfamiliar position of trying to bounce back from a loss. The Chieftains came into Saturday’s game as winners of their last 16, all by double-digits.

“We’ve just got to put this behind us, go to Yakima and take care of business,” Snook said.

Even if that business includes top-ranked Lynden?

“Lynden is one of the best teams in the state, regardless of size,” Long said. “But we’ve got to focus on Anacortes first. But this team has always been good at that: taking each game one at a time.”

SELAH 66, COLUMBIA RIVER 61

SELAH — Calvin Herting 11, Shad Smith 0, Wil Middlebrooks 9, Noah Pepper 23, Cooper Quigley 0, Elijah Pepper 23. Totals 24 (4) 14-21 66.

COLUMBIA RIVER — Nate Snook 16, Alex Miller 3, Evan Dirksen 17, Caden Dezort 5, Jack Armstrong 15, Marc Miranda 5. Totals 22 (11) 6-8 61.

Selah 14 23 15 14–66

River 11 13 21 16–61

Camas gymnasts found themselves back on the podium Saturday with eight medalists in event finals at the 4A state meet at Sammamish High School in Bellevue.

A day after repeating as state team champion, Camas had two second-place finishers, three third-place finishers and two fourth-place finishers on individual apparatus.

Shea McGee, crowned the 4A all-around state champ on Friday, finished second on bars (9.550), tied for third on floor (9.450), finished third on beam (9.375) and tied for eighth on vault (9.375).

Alyssa Shibata of Camas was second on beam with a 9.450, and teammate Lili Ford was fourth with 9.350. Ford also tied for third on vault (9.500).

Camas’ Peyton Cody was fourth on bars with 9.375.

Skyview freshman Anna Sugarman tied for fifth on bars (9.350).

Union’s Kayja Jacques tied for eighth on vault (9.375).

BATTLE GROUND — King’s Way Christian boys basketball coach Daven Harmeling has no fear putting his Knights in tough situations all season.

For starters, there’s a beefed-up schedule. The Knights faced plenty of state-bound opponents in preseason and league, including eventual 3A bi-district champion Prairie, 2A district champ Columbia River, and second-ranked La Center three times.

Another no fear for Harmeling is having faith in his Knights during elimination playoff games, such as saturday’s 1A regional winner-to-state game against Overlake.

“I think it’s good for our guys to experience that,” the coach said “and that kind of tension and pressure. I’ve told them all year long, ‘we’re not preparing the road for you, we’re preparing you for the road.’”

And what a road it is for the Knights. Saturday marked the fifth consecutive 1A regional elimination game the Knights won to advance to the 1A state tournament in Yakima, dispatching Overlake, 71-52, at Battle Ground High School.

Gage Koenders had a game-high 24 points, including hitting his first five 3-point attempts, and brothers Brady and Bryson Metz combined for 19 second-half points. King’s Way plays its first-round game against Cashmere at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday.

In a first half where both teams combined for 14 made 3-pointers, it was highlighted by a 5 for 6 performance by Koenders. The junior guard said he’s more known this year for his outside shooting once returning from injury.

Koenders also is King’s Way’s starting quarterback in football. He suffered a broken left collarbone in October, forcing him to miss basketball season through early January.

Harmeling said he knew the Knights would be a different team once Koenders returned ad powered through a tough non-league schedule.

For Koenders, how the Knights thrive in these playoff-type moments goes back to the preparation by Harmeling and his staff and teams before them.

“It’s the culture we had seth forth by the guys who came before us,” he said, “which is the standard we have to live up to.”

King’s Way led 40-30 at halftime, and even after Overlake cut into the lead at 45-40, that’s as close as the Owls got. King’s Way’s defense limited Overlake’s second-half outside opportunities, holding them to two 3s in the third and fourth quarters.

The final two quarters is when the Metz brothers — Brady and Bryson Metz — combined for 19 of their 24 total points, including key shots as part of an 11-4 run to extend the lead to 60-46.

No need to worry about RPI rankings, Harmeling noted, with as tough of schedule the Knights had.

Because it prepared them to thrive in moments such as Saturday.

“And it boosted our team chemistry,” Brady Metz said. “We struggled with that in the beginning of the year.”

—

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 71, OVERLAKE 52

OVERLAKE — Oliver Thomas 3, Roman Peterson 2, Trey Rudolph 19, Alan Ngouenet 12, Zach Foster 14, Rohan Narasayya 2. Totals 19 (8) 6-11 52

KING’S WAY — Khal Cason 9, Kobi Kason 7, Gage Koenders 24, Kefentse Cason 3, Bryce Dodge 2, Justin Frahm 2, Brady Metz 10, Bryson Metz 14. Totals 24 (10) 13-17 71.

Overlake 15 15 10 12 – 52

King’s Way 27 13 7 24 – 71

ISSAQUAH — The Seton Catholic boys sat dejected and quiet.

With heads hung minutes after the program’s best season in school history came to an end, assistant coach Jon Schroeder pulled out his phone and began to read a list of names.

One by one, he recited the team roster from 2009, the first year Seton Catholic opened its doors to students.

“You have no clue what it was to start this, and how proud they are of you,” Schroeder then said, through tears. “You’ve accomplished so much in short period of time.”

The Cougars lost 58-48 to Bellevue Christian at Issaquah High School in Saturday’s loser-out regional round of the 1A state tournament. Bellevue Christian advances to the Yakima SunDome to play 4-seed Okanogan in a loser-out on Wednesday.

The loss brought an end to the most decorated season in Seton Catholic basketball history, which included a third place Trico League finish and a fifth place finish in the district tournament, with the prize jewel of a state berth.

It also marked the end of the high school careers of Isaiah Parker — Seton’s first career 1,000-point scorer — and Delano Morgan, both of whom were a part of a two-win season as freshmen, and were instrumental in the program’s rise.

But that run fell short on Saturday.

Xavian Rushing scored 16 points, Isaiah Parker had 12 and Gabe Anderson added 11 for the Cougars. But Bellevue Christian’s Ken West, a 6-foot-7 small forward, proved to be a tough guard.

West scored 23 points and went 11 of 12 from the free-throw line. Rushing, Seton’s stretch-five, was caught in West’s crosshairs down low and battled foul trouble for much of the game before fouling out in the final minutes.

Griff Hopkins, son of University of Washington men’s basketball coach Mike Hopkins, added 14 points for the Vikings, who outscored the Cougars 15-8 in the third quarter after Seton took a one-point lead into halftime.

The Cougars saw the deficit grow steadily throughout the second half and trailed by as much as 10 with two minutes left. Senior Kellen Ball came fresh off the bench and hit a 3 with 28 seconds left to cut Bellevue Christian’s lead to six, but it was too little, too late.

“All game we had trouble hitting shots we normally get in the flow of our offense,” Seton head coach Kris Small said.

Small has an 18-7 record to show for his first season as a head coach. But, he said, the wins and losses don’t mean as much as the legacy this year’s group is leaving on the program.

“It means something to me,” Kris Small said, “and it’s going to mean something to them, too.”

As many coaches do when addressing their team after a season-ending loss, Seton’s staff didn’t look for answers, excuses or even closure. They addressed the life lessons learned in defeat.

“I don’t care what you do in your lives,” Schroeder told the team, “it’s a building process. This is just another step in that process.”

For the Cougars’ program, too.

Parker and Morgan each addressed the team. Their dejection turned to promise.

“We made it farther than any Seton Catholic team in school history,” Parker told his teammates. “That’s something to be proud of.”

Added Morgan: Me and Isaiah started it, we’ve been here for four years. We just pass the torch down to the youngins.”

BELLEVUE CHRISTIAN 58, SETON CATHOLIC 48

SETON CATHOLIC (18-7) — Isaiah Parker 12, Kellen Ball 3, Hayden Miller 2, Malik Williams 2, Gabe Anderson 11, Delano Morgan 2, Xavian Rushing 16, Andrew Olson 2. Totals 17 (7) 7-10 48.

BELLEVUE CHRISTIAN (16-7) —Jared Whitton 5, Mick Larsen 4, Andy Moyer 6, Griff Hopkins 14, Joseph Primas 5, Ken West 23, Jeff Jewett 0, Malcom Schiltz 2. Totals 18 (4) 17-19 58.

Seton 13 13 8 14—48

Bellevue Chr. 8 17 15 18—58

SEATTLE — The scene after the final buzzer at Garfield High School played out as it often does in state tournament basketball games, particularly when the stakes are win-or-go-home.

The winning team run toward each other, and a celebratory mayhem ensues; the losing team saunters off the court.

Such was the case Saturday afternoon at Garfield High School, after the Hudson’s Bay girls basketball team saw its season end despite a furious fourth quarter comeback, and back-and-forth final minute of a 48-45 loss to Roosevelt.

What’s different about the Eagles’ circumstance? They return their entire core from a team that made a run to the 3A regional round of the state tournament, the program’s deepest run since 2007.

“We’ll be back,” coach Michael Rainville said. “That’s the example we’re setting. We’ll be back.”

The Eagles took a one-point lead with 18 seconds left when senior Maria Mendez hit a long two-pointer at the top of the key after Jaydia Martin was met with a double team soon after crossing half court.

Roosevelt senior Karmelah Dean hit a pair of free throws to reclaim the lead with 10.2 seconds left. But a turnover off a baseline inbound thwarted the Eagles’ shot at a clean final look for the win.

Bay freshman Aniyah Hampton, who averaged 18 points per game in the regular season, paced the Eagles with 17 points, despite battling foul trouble that resulted in her sitting out most of the second quarter and fouling out in the final minute of the game.

Martin added 11 points and Kamelai Powell pulled down 14 boards against a much taller Roosevelt front court. Dean led Roosevelt with 16 points and Katie Thiers added 14.

Roosevelt amassed as much as a nine-point lead, in part thanks to a full-court press that frustrated Bay early, and led by six at halftime.

But the tide changed for the Eagles after the break, which was no accident, according to sophomore Anastacia Mikaele.

“Mentality shifted,” Mikaele said. “That’s huge for us. Usually at halftime, the conversation we have together, how react to each other is how we set the tone. We pretty much said this right here, it’s first quarter. We’ve got to restart.”

Hampton hit three second half 3s to help Bay reclaim the lead, which it did with 4:29 left in the game on a pair of Martin free throws.

Sophomore Anastacia Mikaele recalls watching in wonder as the Eagles’ RPI ranking rose from 56 at the beginning of the season, to 15 as the team advanced deeper into the postseason.

“That’s just crazy to see compared to last year,” Mikaele, Rainville dubs one of the team’s foremost emotional leaders, said.

And before that, too. Rainville took over a winless program and that won just two games in his first season at the helm.

After each game, particularly losses, Martin’s brain is flooded with what she did wrong, and ways she could have better helped the team. Each time, she channels those thoughts into the next game.

On Saturday, at the season’s end, she was quick to look forward to next season. Her and the rest of the Eagles’ core, which all returns next season, as Powell, Martin and Mikaele will be juniors; Hampton a sophomore.

“Now that we know what we’re going up against, we’ll be 10-times better next year,” Martin said.

Added Powell: “All I’m gotta say is they better be ready next year,.”

And next year? Well, that’s not so far away this time. Not if you play for Hudson’s Bay.

“Our offseason? We don’t have an offseason,” Mikaele said. “The season starts now.”

ROOSEVELT 48, HUDSON’S BAY 45

HUDSON’S BAY (19-7) — Gabriella Garcia 6, Mae Carse 0, Maria Mendez 0, Jaydia Martin 11, Xena Le 0, Aniyah Hampton 17, Kamelai Powell 7, Anastacia Mikaele 6. Totals 18 (6) 5-10 45.

ROOSEVELT (18-7) — Hayley Rosinbum 2, Kristi Walker 5, Karmelah Dean 16, Payton Dukes 5, Jaelyn Johnson 4, Genevieve Symons 2, Katie Thiers 14, Sammy Teal 0, Clare Eggleston 0. Totals 17 (2) 11-19 48.

Hudson’s Bay 4 11 12 18—45

Roosevelt 13 8 13 14—48

BOYS BASKETBALL

CLASS 4A

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Gonzaga Prep 65, Curtis 47

Federal Way 69, Jackson 49

Mount Si 60, Richland 54

Elimination games

Kentridge 74, Mariner 50

Mount Rainier 73, Wenatchee 50

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

(11) Puyallup (20-7) vs. (6)  Jackson (18-4), 9 a.m.

(10) Glacier Peak (15-7) vs. (7) Curtis (19-6), 10:30 a.m.

(13) Mount Rainier (18-8) vs. (5) Richland (20-4), 12:15 p.m.

(8) Battle Ground (18-9) vs. (9) Kentridge (20-7), 2 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Mount Si (23-2) vs. Puyallup or Jackson, 9 a.m.

(1) Union (24-1) vs. Glacier Peak or Curtis, 10:30 a.m.

(3) Federal Way (24-2) vs. Mount Rainier-TBA, 12:15 p.m.

(2) Gonzaga Prep (22-2) vs. Kentridge or Battle Ground, 2 p.m.

CLASS 3A

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Eastside Catholic 48, West Seattle 41

Marysville-Pilchuck 72, Kelso 51

Elimination games

Capital 59, Shorecrest 52

Ingraham 68, Shadle Park 58

O’Dea 78, Stanwood 55

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

(6) Lincoln (19-5) vs. (11) O’Dea (16-7), 3:45 p.m.

(7) Prairie (17-8) vs. (10) Ingraham (17-7), 5:30 p.m.

(13) Wilson (18-9) vs. (5) Kelso (20-4), 7:15 p.m.

(9) Capital (20-4) vs. (8) West Seattle (16-8), 9 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Marysville-Pilchuck (20-3)vs. O’Dea or Lincoln, 3:45 p.m.

(1) Eastside Catholic (23-2) vs. Ingraham or Prairie, 5:30 p.m.

(3) Rainier Beach (19-4) vs. Wilson or Kelso, 7:15 p.m.

(2) Mount Spokane (22-1) vs.  Capital or West Seattle, 9 p.m.

CLASS 2A

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Lynden 71, Franklin Pierce 34

Selah 66, Columbia River 61

Pullman 69, Burlington-Edison 68

Elimination game

Fife 51, Olympic 45

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

(14) Liberty (16-9) vs. Clarkston (15-8), 9 a.m.

(10) Anacortes (16-8) vs. (2) Columbia River (21-3), 10:30 a.m.

(13) Renton (19-8) vs. (4) Burlington-Edison (19-7), 12:15 p.m.

(9) Fife (20-7) vs. (8) Franklin Pierce (23-4), 2 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(5) Pullman (20-5) vs. Liberty or Clarkston, 9 a.m.

(1) Lynden (23-1) vs. Anacortes or Columbia River, 10:30 a.m.

(3) North Kitsap (22-4) vs. Renton or Burlington-Edison, 12:15 p.m.

(7) Selah (18-5) vs. Fife or Franklin Pierce, 2 p.m.

SELAH 66, COLUMBIA RIVER 61

SELAH (18-5) — Calvin Herting 11, Shad Smith 0, Wil Middlebrooks 9, Noah Pepper 23, Cooper Quigley 0, Elijah Pepper 23. Totals 24 (4) 14-21 66.

COLUMBIA RIVER (21-3) — Nate Snook 16, Alex Miller 3, Evan Dirksen 17, Caden Dezort 5, Jack Armstrong 15, Marc Miranda 5. Totals 22 (11) 6-8 61.

Selah 14 23 14 15—66

C. River 11 13 21 16—61

CLASS 1A

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Lynden Christian 79, Connell 53

La Center 63, Deer Park 46

Zilah 84, Cashmere 56

Seattle Academy 65, Okanogan 62

Elimination games

King’s 65, Naches Valley 55

King’s Way Christian 71,  Overlake 52

Bellevue Christian 58, Seton Catholic 48

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

(11) King’s Way Christian (16-8) vs. (6) Cashmere (17-6), 3:45 p.m.

(10) King’s (19-5) vs. (7) Deer Park (20-3), 5:30 p.m.

(12) Bellevue Christian (16-7) vs. (4) Okanogan (18-6), 7:15 p.m.

(9) Royal (19-5) vs. (8) Connell (19-5), 9 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(5) Seattle Academy (19-3) vs. King’s Way Christian or Cashmere, 3:45 p.m.

(1) Lynden Christian (24-0), King’s or Deer Park, 5:30 p.m.

(3) Zillah (23-1) vs. Bellevue Christian or Okanogan, 7:15 p.m.

(2) La Center (22-2) vs. Royal or Connell, 9 p.m.

LA CENTER 63, DEER PARK 46

DEER PARK (20-3) — Chase Wisinger 9, Isaac Berglund 11, Jobi Gelder 23, Hunter Dryden 1, Dawson Youngblood 2. Totals 21 (3) 3-4 46.

LA CENTER (22-2) — Hunter Ball 0, Colby SHaw 9, Parker Ball 0, Ben Kelley 0, Tobey Deemer 0, Evan Norris 15, Avery Seter 14, Matt Bryant 7, Hunter Ecklund 13, Jeremy Humprey 0, Riley Fender 0. Totals 27 (6) 1-2 63.

Deer Park 17 9 13 6—46

La Center 16 11 23 13—63

BELLEVUE CHRISTIAN 58,
SETON CATHOLIC 48

SETON CATHOLIC (18-7) — Isaiah Parker 12, Kellen Ball 3, Hayden Miller 2, Malik Williams 2, Gabe Anderson 11, Delano Morgan 2, Xavian Rushing 16, Andrew Olson 2. Totals 17 (7) 7-10 48.

BELLEVUE CHRISTIAN (16-7) —Jared Whitton 5, Mick Larsen 4, Andy Moyer 6, Griff Hopkins 14, Joseph Primas 5, Ken West 23, Jeff Jewett 0, Malcom Schiltz 2. Totals 18 (4) 17-19 58.

Seton 13 13 8 14—48

Bellevue Chr. 8 17 15 18—58

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 71, OVERLAKE 52

OVERLAKE (15-7) — Oliver Thomas 3, Roman Peterson 2, Trey Rudolph 19, Alan Ngouenet 12, Zach Foster 14, Rohan Narasayya 2. Totals 19 (8) 6-11 52.

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (16-8) — Kahl Cason 9, Kobi Kason 7, Gage Koenders 24, Kefentse Cason 3, Bryce Dodge 2, Justin Frahm 2, Brady Metz 10, Bryson Metz 14. Totals 24 (10) 13-17 71.

Overlake 15 15 10 12—52

King’s Way 27 13 7 24—71

CLASS 2B

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Kittitas 76, Lake Roosevelt 45

Life Christian 56, Toledo 47

St. George’s 79, Willapa Valley 44

Brewster 66, Toutle Lake 63

Elimination games

Liberty 84, White Swan 45

Asotin 54, La Conner 45

Oroville 45, Napavine 43

Kalama 62, Friday Harbor 43

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Elimination games, Wednesday

(11) Oroville (18-6) vs. (6) Willapa Valley (19-6), 9 a.m.

(10) Asotin (17-8) vs. (2) Toledo (21-3), 10:30 a.m.

(12) Kalama (15-9) vs. (5) Toutle Lake (16-8), 12:15 p.m.

(9) Liberty (16-9) vs. (8) Lake Roosevelt (19-6), 2 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Brewster (19-5) vs. Oroville or Willapa Valley, 9 a.m.

(1) Kittitas (25-1) vs. Astoin or Toledo, 10:30 a.m.

(3) St. George’s (22-2) vs. Kalama or Toutle Lake, 12:15 p.m.

(7) Life Christian (19-4) vs. Liberty or Lake Roosevelt, 2 p.m.

CLASS 1B

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Sunnyside Christian 57, Naselle 38

Yakama Tribal 57, Lummi 48

Muckleshoot 76, Tulalip Heritage 65

Elimination games

Garfield-Palouse 69, Lopez Island 36

Neah Bay 80, Pateros 58

Oakesdale 51, Concordia Christian 41

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Elimination games, Wednesday

(11) Riverside Christian (16-5) vs. (3) Lummi (22-2), 3:45 p.m.

(2) Odessa (22-2) vs.(10) Neah Bay (16-6), 5:30 p.m.

(12) Oakesdale (17-7) vs. (4) Tulalip Heritage (20-5), 7:15 p.m.

(9) Garfield-Palouse (17-8) vs. (8) Naselle, 9 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(5) Muckleshoot (23-3) vs. Riverside Christian or Lummi, 3:45 p.m.

(1) Sunnyside Christian (23-1) vs. Neah Bay or Odessa, 5:30 p.m.

(6) Yakama Tribal (17-8) vs. Oakesdale or Tulalip Heritage, 7:15 .m.

(7) Almira-Coulee-Hartline (19-4) vs. Garfield-Palouse or Naslle, 9 p.m.

Girls basketball

CLASS 4A

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Kentridge 64, Inglemoor 49

Lewis & Clark 76, Bellarmine Prep 47

Central Valley 59, Glacier Peak 44

Elimination games

Sunnyside 69, Newport 39

Rogers-Puyallup 49, Todd Beamer 45

Chiawana 48, Camas 34

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

(15) Hazen (17-9) vs. (6) Bellarmine Prep (20-5), 3:45 p.m.

(15) Rogers-Puyallup (18-8) vs. (7) Inglemoor (20-5), 5:30 p.m.

(12) Chiawana (19-6) vs. (5) Glacier Peak (20-2), 7:15 p.m.

(1) Woodinville (22-3) vs. (9) Sunnyside (21-2), 9 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Central Valley (21-3) vs. Hazen or Bellarmine Prep, 3:45 p.m.

(8) Eastlake (19-6) vs. Rogers-Puyallup or Inglemoor, 5 :30 p.m.

(3) Lewis & Clark (21-3) vs. Chiawana or Glacier Peak, 7:15 p.m.

(2) Kentridge (24-2) vs. Sunnyside or Woodinville, 9 p.m.

CHIAWANA 48, CAMAS 34

CAMAS (16-10) — Jalena Carlisle 0, Regan Cooke 2, Katelynn Forner 7, Haley Hanson 6, Hannah Booth 7, Katie Hancock 0, Avery Minich 0, Emma Rehrer 0, Faith Bergstrom 10, Ashley Bauer 2. Totals not reported.

CHIAWANA (19-6) — Macey Morales 11, Alyssa Agundis 5, Delaney Pink 15, Bailie Bunger 1, Mykila Burton 0, Sydney Guzman 3, Clare Eubanks 11, Kylie Thorne 2. Totals 18 (6) 18-34 48.

Camas 4 14 12 4—34

Chiawana 10 13 9 16—48

CLASS 3A

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Prairie 55, Arlington 46

Garfield 58, Seattle Prep 29

Kamiakin 78, Peninsula 63

Elimination games

Edmonds-Woodway 48, Gig Harbor 45

Snohomish 38, Lake Washington 35

Roosevelt 48, Hudson’s Bay 45

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

(11) Snohomish (16-7) vs. (6) Seattle Prep (19-4), 9 a.m.

(15) Edmonds-Woodway (14-9) vs. (7) Bethel (20-4)r, 10:30 a.m.

(12) Roosevelt (18-7) vs. (5) Peninsula (18-5), 12:15 p.m.

(9) West Seattle (17-5) vs. (8) Arlington (17-6), 2 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Kamiakin (22-2) vs. Snohomish or Seattle Prep, 9 a.m.

(1) Prairie (22-2) vs. Edmonds-Woodway or Bethel, 10:30 a.m.

(3) Garfield (21-2) vs. Roosevelt or Peninsula, 12:15 p.m.

(2) Mt. Spokane (22-1) vs. West Seattle or Arlington, 2 p.m.

PRAIRIE 55, ARLINGTON 46

ARLINGTON (17-6) — Jordan Bartlow 2, Keira Marsh 9, Abbey Hassing 6, Sierra Scheppele 10, Josie Stupey 7, Allison DeBerry 5, Makenzie Gage 2, Abby Schwark 3. Totals 12 (5) 9-12 46.

PRAIRIE (22-2) — Meri Dunford 6, Allison Corral 2, Kendyl Carson 4, Brooke Walling 11, Mallory Williams 5, Cassidy Gardner 25, Haley Reed 2, Claire Heitschmidt 0. Totals 17 (6) 15-20 55.

Arlington 9 8 10 19—46

Prairie 13 13 15 14—55

ROOSEVELT 48,

HUDSON’S BAY 45

HUDSON’S BAY (19-7) — Gabriella Garcia 6, Mae Carse 0, Maria Mendez 0, Jaydia Martin 11, Xena Le 0, Aniyah Hampton 17, Kamelai Powell 7, Anastacia Mikaele 6. Totals 18 (6) 5-10 45.

ROOSEVELT (18-7) — Hayley Rosinbum 2, Kristi Walker 5, Karmelah Dean 16, Payton Dukes 5, Jaelyn Johnson 4, Genevieve Symons 2, Katie Thiers 14, Sammy Teal 0, Clare Eggleston 0. Totals 17 (2) 11-19 48.

Hudson’s Bay 4 11 12 18—45

Roosevelt 13 8 13 14—48

CLASS 2A

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Lynden 66, WF West 45

Washougal 52, East Valley-Spokane 45

Clarkston 61, Port Angeles 35

White River 49, Archbishop Murphy 41

Elimination games

Burlington-Edison 53, Renton 42

Anacortes 65, North Kitsap 49

Black Hills 52, Grandview 37

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

(14) Sequim (17-7) vs. (6) Port Angeles (20-4), 3:45 p.m.

(10) Anacortes (16-8) vs. (2) East Valley-Spokane (19-4), 5:30 p.m.

(13) Black Hills (17-8) vs. (5) Archbishop Murphy (19-4), 7:15 p.m.

(9) Burlington-Edison (20-4) vs. (8) WF West (17-7), 9 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) White River (24-3) vs. Sequim or Port Angeles, 3:45 p.m.

(1) Lydnen (21-3) vs. Anacortes or East Valley-Spokane, 5:30 p.m.

(3) Clarkston (23-2) vs. Black Hills or Archbishop Murphy, 7:15 p.m.

(7) Washougal (20-4) vs. Burlington-Edison or W.F. West, 9 p.m.

WASHOUGAL 52,

EAST VALLEY-SPOKANE 45

WASHOUGAL (20-4) — Kiara Cross 2, Jaiden Bea 7, Savea Mansfield 3, Beyonce Bea 22, McKinley Stotts 2, Ashley Gibbons 2, Sammy Mederos 6, Skylar Bea 8. Totals 15 (4) 18-24 52.

EAST VALLEY-SPOKANE (19-4) — Genesis Wilkinson 19, Mataya Green 4, Holly Flynn 4, Destiny Hillyard 0, Ellie Stowell 0, Brie Holecek 6, Hannah Rowland 0, Faith Adams 12. Totals 17 (2) 9-15 45.

Washougal 11 8 14 19—52

E.Valley 10 10 13 12—45

CLASS 1A

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Meridian 40, Bellevue Christian 26

Lynden Christian 77, Annie Wright 59

Cashmere 47, Elma 34

Elimination game

Zillah 64, Montesano 41

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

(11) Zillah (18-6) vs. (6) Annie Wright (20-4), 9 a.m.

(10) Freeman (18-5) vs. (2) Bellevue Christian (21-3), 10:30 a.m.

(5) Elma (21-3) vs. (13) Overlake (18-4), 12:15 p.m.

(8) King’s (20-6) vs. (9) Medical Lake (18-6), 2 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Cashmere (21-2) vs. Zillah or Annie Wright, 9 a.m.

(1) La Salle (24-0) vs. Freeman or Bellevue Christian, 10:30 a.m.

(3) Lydnen Christian (21-3) vs. Overlake or Elma, 12:15 p.m.

(7) Meridian (19-5) vs. Medical Lake or King’s, 2 p.m.

CLASS 2B

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Wahkiakum 74, Rainier 13

Tri-Cities Prep 71, Auburn Adventist 16

Davenport 65, Ilwaco 47

Elimination games

Brewster 47, Mabton 46

South Bend 42, Liberty Bell 36

St. George’s 54, Ocosta 39

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Elimination games, Wednesday

(11) Willapa Valley (19-5) vs. (6) Liberty (20-4), 3:45 p.m.

(15) South Bend (16-9) vs. (7) Auburn Adventist (20-2), 5:30 p.m.

(12) St. George’s (16-9) vs. (4) Ilwao (21-3), 7:15 p.m.

(9) Brewster (19-4) vs. (8) Rainier (21-3), 9 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(5) Davenport (21-4) vs. Willapa Valley or Liberty, 3:45 p.m.

(1) Wahkiakum (23-1) vs. South Bend or Auburn Adventist, 5:30 p.m.

(3) La Conner (19-3) vs. St. George’s or Ilwaco, 7:15 p.m.

(2) Tri-Cities Prep (25-1) vs. Brewster or Rainier, 9 p.m.

CLASS 1B

STATE REGIONALS

Saturday’s games

Winner-to-quarterfinals

Colton 76, Concordia Christian 41

Pomeroy 63, Taholah 32

Elimination games

Riverside Christian 29, Grace Academy 26

Selkirk 51, Puget Sound Adventist 28

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Elimination games, Wednesday

(14) Inchelium (17-8) vs. (6) Sunnyside Christian (19-5), 9 a.m.

(15) Selkirk (15-9) vs. (7) Taholah (18-5), 10:30 a.m.

(12) Naselle (15-8) vs. (4) Mt. Vernon Christian (21-3), 12:15 p.m.

(16) Riverside Christian (14-10) vs. (8) Concordia Christian (21-5), 2 p.m.

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(5) Neah Bay (21-2) vs. Inchelium or Sunnyside Christian, 9 a.m.

(1) Colton (21-2) vs. Selkirk or Taholah, 10:30 a.m.

(3) Almira-Coulee-Hartline (22-1) vs. Naselle or Mt. Vernon Christian, 12:15 p.m.

(2) Pomeroy (21-3) vs. Riverside Christian or Concordia Christian, 2 p.m.

GYMNASTICS

4A STATE MEET

At Sammamish High, Bellevue

Individual Finals

Top-8 (medalists)

VAULT — 1, Ashley Yang (Kentwood) 9.625; 2, Maddie LoMauro (Newport) 9.525; 3 (tie), Cecelia Loudermilk (Kentlake) 9.500 and Lili Ford (Camas) 9.500; 5, Emma rochleau (Tahoma) 9.475; 6, Tori McConnell (Rogers) 9.450; 7, Bella Nilsen (Newport) 9.400; T8, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.375, Kayja Jacques (Union) 9.375, Erin Clayton (North Creek) 9.375, Payton Hayes (Kennedy Catholic) 9.375.

BEAM — 1, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 9.475; 2, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 9.450; 3, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.375; 4, Lili Ford (Camas) 9.350; 5, Ellie Mann (Woodinville) 9.325; 6, Ariana Martinez (Auburn Mountainview) 9.275; 7, Teana Heys (Woodinville) 9.250; T8, Morgan Wyatt (North Creek) 9.225, Emma O’Toole (Rogers) 9.225.

FLOOR — 1, Alina Helbling (University) 9.525; 2, Maddie LoMauro (Newport) 9.500; T3, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.450, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 9.450; 5, Alexandra Dimitrov (Inglemoor) 9.425; 6, Ashley Yang (Kentwood) 9.400; T7, Teana Heys (Woodinville) 9.350, Alexis Weller (Mead) 9.350, Ariana Martinez (Auburn Mountainview) 9.350, Alyssa Hatch (Auburn Riverside) 9.350, Emily Yang (Kentwood) 9.350. Also: 16, Lili Ford (Camas) 8.575.

BARS — 1, Cora Taylor (Bothell) 9.650; 2, Shea McGee (Camas) 9.550; 3, Rylye Anderson (Puyallup) 9.500; 4, Peyton Cody (Camas) 9.375; T5, Cecelia Loudermilk (Kentlake) 9.350, Anna Sugarman (Skyview) 9.350; 7, Alexandria Thomas (Ferris) 9.325; 8, Bella Nilsen (Newport) 9.300. Also: 10, Alyssa Shibata (Camas) 9.225.

Happy spring, everybody!

OK, I know the first day of spring is actually more than three weeks away. But it is the first day of practices for high school spring sports.

And while the prospects for a snow-covered Monday were lessening, the weather today is going to make it feel like the first day of spring is farther away than three weeks.

So while we’ll feel for the athletes and coaches who will be heading outside today, the competition remains indoors for at least one more week with the state tournaments for high school basketball.

The biggest issue for the week will be if all state participants can get to their state tournaments in Tacoma, Yakima and Spokane.

But with the tournaments still a couple of days away, we’ll focus on the schedule as it is, right now.

We went into last weekend’s regional round with 12 Clark County basketball teams. Five of those teams were playing elimination games, of which one only prevailed — the King’s Way Christian boys.

That leaves eight teams still alive — four in Tacoma and four in Yakima.

In Tacoma, there will be the Union and Battle Ground boys in Class 4A, and the Prairie girls and boys in 3A.

The Battle Ground boys get things started for local teams in Tacoma with a 2 p.m. Wednesday loser-out game against Kentridge. If the Tigers prevail, they’ll meet No. 2 seed Gonzaga Prep at 2 p.m. Thursday.

The Prairie boys also have a loser-out game on Wednesday against Ingraham of Seattle at 5:30 p.m. If the Falcons win, they’ll face top-seeded Eastside Catholic of Sammamish at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The Union boys and Prairie girls have advanced straight to Thursday’s quarterfinals at the Tacoma Dome.

If you were hoping to watch both teams play, you’ll have to find a seat at the dome where you can see both courts. Union and Prairie play at the same time — 10:30 a.m.

Union faces the winner of Glacier Peak and Curtis, while Prairie meets Edmonds-Woodway or Bethel.

The scheduling conflict won’t be an issue for us at The Columbian. We’ll have both Meg Wochnick and Andy Buhler there to report on the games.

However, it will be a bit more challenging for our photographer Nathan Howard. But Nathan can make it work.

It’s a bit more challenging for Micah Rice, who will be our man in the Yakima SunDome.

Both the La Center boys, in 1A, and Washougal girls, in 2A, have advanced to Thursday’s quarterfinals.

And both play at the same time — 9 p.m.

La Center faces Royal or Connell, while Washougal meets Burlington-Edison or W.F. West.

Now covering one 9 p.m. game is a challenge on deadline. But covering two?

Wednesday’s schedule is more friendly for Micah.

The Columbia River boys face Anacortes in a 2A loser-out game at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. If the Chieftains win, they’ll face top-seeded Lynden at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

King’s Way Christian meets Cashmere in a 1A loser-out game at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. If the Knights prevail, they’ll meet Seattle Academy at 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

It all figures to be a busy week of hoops. Hopefully, all the hot action inside will melt anything that falls outside.

Tim Martinez is the assistant sports editor/prep editor for The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4538, tim.martinez@columbian.com or follow his Twitter handle @360TMart.

Here are the nominees for The Columbian winter sports prep athlete of the week, sponsored by Athletes Corner, for the week ending Feb. 23.

Voting will continue until 8 p.m. Thursday, with results announced in Friday’s edition of The Columbian.

To avoid vote manipulation, voting is restricted by IP address. That means people voting while connected to a public WIFI access may be unable vote. We suggest voting be done by private internet access or through your cellular provider.

BEYONCE BEA, WASHOUGAL GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bea had 22 points and 11 rebounds in the Panthers’ regional win over East Valley of Spokane.

HUNTER ECKLUND, LA CENTER BOYS BASKETBALL: Ecklund scored all 13 of his points in a pivotal second-half as the Wildcats beat Deer Park.

CASSIDY GARDNER, PRAIRIE GIRLS BASKETBALL: Gardner scored a game-high 25 points, hitting five of 10 3-point shots in a win over Arlington.

GAGE KOENDERS, KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN BOYS BASKETBALL: Koenders hit his first five 3-point shots and finished with 24 points to lead the Knights over Overlake.

SHEA MCGEE, CAMAS GYMANSTICS: McGee captured the all-around state title and placed second on bar and third on beam and floor at the 4A state meet.

BATTLE GROUND — Brendan Beall never shies away from challenges thrown his way.

The Battle Ground High junior guard thrives on them, whether it’s challenges by coaches, teammates or, better yet, a challenge on himself.

And there have been plenty in a season that’s one of the best since the Tigers’ last state tournament appearance in the Tacoma Dome in 2001-’02.

The Tigers are back there again in the Class 4A boys basketball state tournament Wednesday against Kentridge — playing the Chargers for a third time this season — at 2 p.m. in Tacoma.

But if not for Beall, a junior guard and two-year starter, the Tigers might not have even made out of the regular-season at all.

That’s because on three occasions this season, Beall saved the Tigers.

He hit the game-winning 3-pointer in an overtime win over Prairie.

In 4A Greater St. Helens League play, he made a steal and lay-in with 11 seconds left to seal a home win over Camas.

In the regular-season finale at Camas, he drained a long 3-pointer off a screen in the final seconds of regulation to send the game into overtime. Battle Ground won the game to secure a playoff berth.

Plain and simple, coaches and teammates say: Beall is a pure gamer.

“When the lights turn on,” head coach Manny Melo said, “he steps up big time.”

And so have the Tigers. Battle Ground placed third in the 4A GSHL, won a play-in game just to reach the bi-district tournament, then won three straight elimination games and played four games in four days to place to earn the fifth seed.

Those playoff wins had dramatic moments, too. Battle Ground needed a game-winning shot by sophomore Kaden Perry to beat Olympia, and a last-second defensive stop to edge Puyallup.

And late-game moments happen to be when Beall thrives most. Melo challenges his junior shooting guard on offense and defense every game.

With the game on the line, Beall wants the ball in his hands. Coaches and teammates have complete confidence in Beall just as much as Beall does in himself.

“I love playing in those moments,” he said. “A lot of those games I felt like they might not have been my best games, but in those times, I know I need to make a play for my team.”

Beall averages just over 10 points per game, tied for third-best behind sophomore forward Kaden Perry and senior guard Vincent McCormic. Earlier this season, Beall’s career-high 31 points, with nine 3-pointers, came in a December holiday tournament in San Diego. That outside shooting is what Beall primarily was known for entering high school two years ago.

Now, Melo says Beall has become a more complete player. That’s another challenge thrown his way that Beall soaked in.

“I wanted to be able to make a difference on the defensive end just as much as I can on the offensive end,” said Beall, one of four team captains.

McCormic, a senior all-league guard, first played with Beall two years ago. Beall was promoted to varsity weeks into his freshman year, and made an immediate impact on a team that went 6-12 before Melo’s arrival.

But what’s changed even from a season ago is a boost in confidence that’s aided to the overall success, McCormic said. He called Beall one of the team’s go-to on-ball defenders.

“He’s incredible,” said McCormic, who set the screen for Beall for his eventual game-tying 25-foot banked shot at Camas. “People don’t appreciate how good Brendan Beall is. … Just everything he does in a game. He’s incredibly smart.”

The Tigers are in the 4A state tournament for the first time in 17 years, and Beall and his teammates want to make a lasting impression starting Wednesday. Battle Ground has six state trophies, and its last coming in 1991 (second place in Class AA).

It’s another challenge Beall isn’t shying away from.

“We want to be the team that puts something up there (in the rafters),” he said. “This year, we have more confidence winning the close games and trusting our teammates. We’re a very close team, and that’s what’s really helped us these past few weeks.

“We’re all really hard workers, and that’s what led us to be one of the top teams here the last 15 to 20 years.”

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

Wednesday-Saturday, Tacoma Dome (4A, 3A) and Yakima Valley SunDome (2A, 1A)

Wednesday’s first-round games

4A boys: Battle Ground (18-9) vs. Kentridge (20-7), 2 p.m.

3A boys: Prairie (17-9) vs. Ingraham (17-8), 5:30 p.m.

2A boys: Columbia River (21-3) vs. Anacortes (16-8), 10:30 a.m.

1A boys: King’s Way Christian (16-8) vs. Cashmere (17-6), 3:45 p.m.

Thursday’s quarterfinal games

4A boys: Union (24-1) vs. Curtis/Glacier Peak winner, 10:30 a.m.

3A girls: Prairie (22-2) vs. Bethel/Edmonds-Woodway winner, 10:30 a.m.

2A girls: Washougal (20-4) vs. W.F. West/Burlington-Edison winner, 9 p.m.

1A boys: La Center (22-2) vs. Connell/Royal winner, 9 p.m.

In Leta Meyer’s words, Heritage High School found “our kind of coach” to lead its football program.

That’s how the school’s longtime athletic director described the Timberwolves’ new head football coach Dennis Moody, as announced by Meyer on Tuesday afternoon. Moody joined Heritage last fall as an assistant and coached the defensive line under then-head coach Matt Gracey.

“He’s a really good one; he gets it,” Meyer said of Moody. “He wants to be here, he loves it here and loves the kids. And for me … I feel good about the hire.”

While Moody is Heritage’s new football coach, he isn’t new to head-coaching duties. He’s coached high school football for 11 years, including a decade at two California high schools as an assistant and head coach. He was head coach of Robert F. Kennedy High in Delano, Calif., taking a program that won four games over a six-year stretch to back-to-back section titles in 2014 and ’15 — his first two years at the helm.

“It was a great place to coach, a great school to be a part of,” Moody said of Delano. “Heritage reminds of that school when it comes to the blue-collar kids who went there, just grinders by nature. … Just salt-of-the-earth kids who will do anything you want. And that’s the type of kids we have here at Heritage.”

In 2015, his RFK team qualified for the California state championships.

Moody, also an assistant track and field coach and teacher at Heritage, already has made a big impact in a short time at Heritage, Meyer said. She called him a “kid magnet.”

“The kids are drawn to him because of his enthusiasm because he’s so inspirational and encouraging to them,” she said.

Moody replaces Gracey, who departed after four seasons. Heritage went 2-7 in 2018.

Moody is excited with the way the program is headed, and the commitment he’s seen in the players.

“These kids are killing it,” he said. “They’re working hard, and I’m excited. And not just that, but we’re building a family environment and changing the attitude, the excitement and the approach about how we do that. These guys have come such a long way already, so that’s exciting. Don’t get me wrong. We have a long way to go. But I like the track that we’re on.”