Class 4A boys

No. 8 Battle Ground (18-9) vs. No. 9 Kentridge (20-7)

When: 2 p.m. Wednesday (loser-out game)

The matchup: Battle Ground lost to Union 56-37 in regional play. Kentridge beat Mariner 74-50. This is a rematch of the fifth-place game in the bi-district tournament, which Battle Ground 56-44. Kentridge was the Cascade Division champion of the North Puget Sound League. Kentridge has lost three times in the postseason – to Federal Way in the NPSL playoffs, to Mount Rainier in the bi-district quarterfinals and to Battle Ground.

Next for winner: Quarterfinal game vs. No. 2 Gonzaga Prep (22-2), 2 p.m. Thursday.

Other teams in bracket: No. 3 Federal Way, No. 5 Richland, No. 13 Mount Rainier

No. 1 Union (24-1) vs. TBD

When: 10:30 a.m. Thursday (quarterfinal)

The matchup: Union faces the winner of No. 10 Glacier Peak and No. 7 Curtis. Glacier Peak beat Issaquah 56-49 in the regional round; Curtis lost to Gonzaga Prep 65-47. Curtis was the bi-district runner-up, beating both Battle Ground (63-56) and Skyview (74-63) along the way. Curtis was the South Puget Sound League champion. Glacier Peak is the 4A Wesco Conference runner-up. Glacier Peak reached the semifinals of the District 1-2 tournament, losing to Mount Si.

Other teams in bracket: No. 4 Mount Si, No. 6 Jackson, No. 11 Puyallup.

Class 3A boys

No. 7 Prairie (17-8) vs. No. 10 Ingraham (17-7)

When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday (loser-out game)

The matchup: Prairie lost to Mount Spokane 71-52 in the regional round; Ingraham beat Shadle Park 68-58. Prairie is the 3A Greater St. Helens League co-champion and 3A bi-district champion. Ingraham beat top-seeded Eastside Catholic in the quarterfinals of the District 2 tournament before falling to Rainier Beach in the championship game.

Next for winner: The winner faces No. 1 Eastside Catholic (23-2), 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Other teams in bracket: No. 4 Marsyville-Pilchuck, No. 6 Lincoln, No. 11 O’Dea.

Class 3A girls

No. 1 Prairie (22-2) vs. TBD

When: 10:30 a.m. Thursday (quarterfinal)

The matchup: Prairie will play the winner of No. 7 Bethel (20-4) and No. 15 Edmonds-Woodway (14-9). Bethel lost to Mt. Spokane 63-32 in the regional round; Edmonds-Woodway beat Gig Harbor 48-45. Bethel beat Prairie 54-37 in the semifinals of the bi-district tournament before beating Peninsula 58-47 in the title game. Bethel was the Pierce County League champion. Edmonds-Woodway was the fifth-place team in the 3A Wesco, the league topped by Arlington. Prairie beat Arlington in the regional round.

Other teams in bracket: No. 4 Kamiakin, No. 6 Seattle Prep, No. 11 Snohomish.

Class 2A boys

No. 2 Columbia River (21-3) vs. No. 10 Anacortes (16-8)

When: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (loser-out game)

The matchup: Columbia River lost to Selah 66-61 in the regional round; Anacortes beat Black Hills 44-38. Columbia River was the 2A Greater St. Helens League and District 4 champion. River beat Black Hills 75-40 in the district title game. Anacortes was second-place Northwest Conference team among 2A teams. Lynden was No. 1. Anacortes lost to Lynden 67-35 in the District 1 title game.

Next for winner: No. 1 Lynden (23-1), 10:30 a.m. Thursday (quarterfinal)

Other teams in bracket: No. 5 Pullman (20-5), No. 6 Clarkston (15-8), No. 14 Liberty (16-9)

Class 2A girls

No. 7 Washougal (20-4) vs. TBD

When: 9 p.m. Thursday (quarterfinal)

The matchup: Washougal will play the winner of No. 9 Burlington-Edison (20-4) or No. 8 W.F. West (17-7). Washougal was the 2A Greater St. Helens League and District 4 champion, beating W.F. West 54-48 in the district title game. Washougal has won 14 in a row after beating East Valley of Spokane 52-45 in the regional round. Burlington-Edison beat Renton 53-42 in the regional round; WF lost to Lynden 66-45.

Other teams in bracket: No. 3 Clarkston (23-2), No. 5 Archbishop Murphy (19-4), No. 13 Black Hills (17-8)

Class 1A boys

No. 11 King’s Way Christian (16-8) vs. No. 6 Cashmere (17-6)

When: 3:45 p.m. Wednesday (loser-out game)

The matchup: King’s Way Christian beat Overlake 71-52 in the regional round; Cashmere lost Zillah 84-56. King’s Way Christian was the runner-up in the Trico League and District 4. Cashmere was the Caribou Trail League co-champion with Okanogan. Cashmere beat Okanogan in the CTL championship game before beating Lakeside in a district crossover.

Next for winner: No. 5 Seattle Academy (19-3), 3:45 p.m. Thursday

Other teams in bracket: No. 1 Lynden Christian (24-0), (7) Deer Park (20-3), No. 10 King’s (19-5).

No. 2 La Center (22-2) vs. TBD

When: 9 p.m. Thursday (quarterfinal)

The matchup: La Center will play the winner of No. 8 Connell (19-5) and No. 9 Royal (19-5). La Center beat Deer Park 63-46 in the regional round. Royal beat Cascade Christian 57-45 in the regional round; Connell lost to Lynden Christian 79-53. Connell was the South Central Athletic Conference runner-up, losing to Zillah 86-51 in the conference final. Royal advanced to state through SCAC consolation bracket, losing to Zillah 92-54 in the semifinals.

Other teams in bracket: No. 3 Zillah (23-1), No. 4 Okanogan (18-6) No. 12 Bellevue Christian (16-7).

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE

BOYS BASKETBALL

4A state tournament

Battle Ground vs. Kentridge, 2 p.m. at Tacoma Dome

3A state tournament

Prairie vs. Ingraham, 5:30 p.m. at Tacoma Dome

2A state tournament

Columbia River vs. Anacortes, 10:30 a.m. at Tacoma Dome

1A state tournament

King’s Way Christian vs. Cashmere, 3:45 p.m. at Tacoma Dome

BOYS BASKETBALL

CLASS 4A

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

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

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.

CLASS 1A

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.

CLASS 2B

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

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

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.

CLASS 3A

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.

CLASS 2A

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.

CLASS 1A

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

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

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.

A Twitter List by thecolumbian

YAKIMA – It may be earlier than the Chieftains hoped, but the Columbia River boys basketball team gets to face the state’s best.

Columbia River put a regional-round loss behind it Wednesday with a 49-37 win over Anacortes in the 2A state tournament in Yakima.

The win sets up a showdown between No. 2-seeded Columbia River (22-3) and No. 1 Lynden (23-1) in the quarterfinals at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

Lynden beat Columbia River 44-33 in last year’s quarterfinals. The Chieftains are looking forward to a rematch.

“I’m excited to play them and I know my teammates are,” said senior forward Jack Armstrong. “I can’t wait to get after it. It will be a fun game to watch.”

Armstrong scored 12 points to lead the Chieftains in Wednesday’s elimination game at the SunDome.

Evan Dirksen had 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for River. Marc Miranda had 10 points and Nate Snook added nine for the Chieftains, who were knocked off by No. 7 Selah in the regional round on Saturday.

That put River into Wednesday’s loser-out game. But there was no head hanging or hangover for the Chieftains.

“We lost to a good basketball team,” Columbia River coach David Long said. “We had a few days to lick our wounds and get back into the gym and prepare. We just wanted to make sure that one loss didn’t turn into two.”

Still, the Chieftains were in for a test. No. 10 Anacortes (16-9) opened the second half on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 27.

But Columbia River responded with a 20-4 run. Armstrong scored eight of his points in the second half to key that run.

“I wouldn’t say we needed a spark, we just needed to be aggressive collectively as a group,” Armstrong said. “It just happened to be that the baseline was open for the position I was playing. Coach said I needed to be aggressive from there, so I started going to the hoop.”

While River’s offense rallied, the Chieftains made sure Anacortes couldn’t respond. The Seahawks were held to 16 second-half points, shooting 27.8 percent after the break. Anacortes was 1 for 11 from 3-point range.

“We pride ourselves on our defense,” said Snook, who had five steals. “We like to think of ourselves as one of the better defensive teams in the state. He have length, quickness and good helpside defense.”

While River allowed an average of just 43.5 points per game this season, the defense of Anacortes gave the Chieftains plenty of problems.

The Seahawks’ half-court zone pressured River’s players from the moment they crossed midcourt. All 3-pointers were heavily contested, which resulted in the Chieftains going 2 for 12 from behind the arc.

“We’ve never seen a zone defense like that, ever,” Long said. “We play against a lot of zones. But we don’t see anything that’s that aggressive. We knew it was coming, but until you actually experience it.”

River countered that zone with strong interior play. The Chieftains outrebounded the Seahawks 34-24 and were 9-10 from the foul line.

Now comes the test of the season for a River team that had won 16 in a row before the regional round loss.

“I think we bounced back pretty well,” Armstrong said. “I know we were a little upset about (Saturday’s loss). But it’s the state tournament. You want to focus on the next one.”

COLUMBIA RIVER 49, ANACORTES 37

ANACORTES (16-9) – Treyvohn Jedlinski 0, Kaeden Flynn 11, Duane Jedlinski 2, Nick Cortright 0, Gavin Moore 0, Nathan Johnson 2, Alek Miller, Gaige Berow 0, Cort Senff 5, Jordie Mehler 0, Greyson Eaton 13, Chase Cornett 4. Totals 14 (1) 8-13 37.

COLUMBIA RIVER (22-3) – Nate Snook 9, Alex Miller 2, Quincy Cartwright 0, Matt Asplund 0, Josh Kukula 0, Evan Dirksen 11, Caden Dezort 5, Cole Delich 0, Jack Armstrong 12, Marc Miranda 10, Dylan Valdez 0. Totals 19 (2) 9-10 49.

Anacortes     8          13       8          8—37

Col.River       12       15       7          15—49

TACOMA — This time, Battle Ground didn’t have the late-game theatrics. No game-winning shots or defensive stops in the final possession.

But players were confident postgame after a 66-54 loss to Kentridge to open the Class 4A boys basketball state tournament Wednesday that their program is headed in the right direction, despite an early state departure.

And reaching the Tacoma Dome for the first time in 17 years helped that.

“I’m hoping with this taste,” sophomore forward Kaden Perry said, “we keep going up.

That’s certainly been Battle Ground’s trend in coach Manny Melo’ first two seasons.

After a six-win season two years ago, the Tigers went on a postseason run filled with close contests and late-game dramatics to earn their first state berth since the 2001-’02 season.

The loss ends Battle Ground’s season at 18-10 overall. Kentridge  (21-7) advances to the 4A state quarterfinals against No. 2 Gonzaga Prep on Thursday.

Perry, the Tigers’ 6-foot-9 forward, finished with 20 points on 10-of-19 shooting, 17 rebounds and five blocks Wednesday before fouling out with 3 minutes, 10 seconds left in the game as Kentridge built a 17-point lead.

The Chargers built their first 19-point lead inside 2 minutes to play in the first half, and led by as many as 20 in the fourth, and never letting Battle Ground make a big run to cut into its deficit.

Kentridge’s hot outside shooting — 6 of 8 from 3 in the first half, 9 of 15 from behind the arc for the game — proved to be a difference-maker not seen in the teams’ first two meetings this season, and first since Battle Ground’s 56-44 bi-district win over the Chargers on Feb. 16.

“That was a big X-factor for them,” Melo said. “Hats off to them. They shot it and shot it well, and we didn’t.”

Battle Ground did shoot 41 percent for the game, but only hit 2 of 13 3-point attempts.

Kentridge took its first double-digit lead at 25-15 minutes into the second quarter, and Battle Ground never got closer than the final score the rest of the way.

Perry picked up his second foul with 6:53 left in the second, but didn’t stay on the bench long. He returned inside 5 minutes left in the half and scored the Tigers’ final six points.

Kentridge led 40-23 at halftime.

For a team that had multiple game-winning plays this season on offense and defense, the early deficit was too big to overcome, senior KeAndre Hunter-Holiday said.

“A lot of their shots were falling,” he said, “and we weren’t getting a lot of our own shots to fall.”

To qualify for the postseason, Battle Ground topped Camas in overtime to finish third in the 4A Greater St. Helens League, won a bi-district play-in game followed by three straight elimination-game victories to keep its season alive.

Hunter-Holiday and fellow senior Vincent McCormic were part of the team sophomore year that finished tied for last in the 4A Greater St. Helens League and made a 12-win improvement in two years.

“We left them in a good spot,” McCormic said.

Perry agrees, as one of three underclassmen who start for the Tigers.

“I knew at the beginning (of the season) we had something special and to make it here,” Perry said. “I was hoping we’d get further, but still proud of everything we’ve done and everything we’ve accomplished.”

YAKIMA – If the King’s Way Christian boys basketball team acted like they had been here before, it’s because they have.

If the Knights looked at home in the SunDome, it’s because they felt that way.

King’s Way might have been the lower seed headed into Wednesday’s 1A state tournament game against Cashmere. But five consecutive years of reaching the SunDome meant the Knights weren’t overwhelmed.

Khalfani Cason scored 20 points as No. 11 King’s Way rode a blistering first half to a 67-52 win over No. 6 Cashmere in a loser-out game.

The Knights advance to face No. 5 Seattle Academy in the quarterfinals at 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

Reaching five consecutive state tournaments means Yakima trips have become routine for King’s Way. The Knights also play each December in the SunDome shootout, staying in the same hotel and practicing the same routine.

“We’re trying to establish that consistency to where this is our home court, or at least we feel that way when we’re here,” Knights coach Daven Harmeling said. “You have some kids who were in middle school and had traveled up here to watch it and have been waiting for their opportunity to play here.”

King’s Way also knows how to step up the intensity at this time of the season.

“I could just see a different look in their eyes in practice leading up to this game,” Harmeling said. “You kind of felt like they had this bottled up and they were just ready to let it out on the court.”

Cashmere (17-7) could barely blink before it was behind. Gage Koenders hit two 3-pointers and Cason scored five points as King’s Way led 13-2 after four minutes.

The Knights shot 57 percent in the first half, building a 39-23 halftime lead. Cason had 16 points by halftime.

“I just honestly reacted to what came to me,” Cason said. “Whether it’s a defensive stop or a quick bucket, giving our team that energy really helps us a lot.”

Cashmere sophomore Mason Landdeck entered Wednesday averaging 31.2 points per game. But the guard had a rare off night, going 5 for 26 from the field, including 0 for 15 from 3-point range, and scoring 15 points.

King’s Way forced 15 turnovers, including 11 steals, and held Cashmere to 32.8 percent from the field. Cashmere shot just 25.7 percent in the first half.

“Honestly, I would say our defense was the key,” freshman Bryson Metz said. “We really took pride in that. What coach preached coming up to this game was just defense.”

Metz is one of the few Knights getting his first taste of the state tournament. He wasn’t fazed, scoring 10 points and orchestrating the offense at point guard for 27 minutes.

“It’s just an amazing experience,” Metz said. “It’s a relief after all the hard work that we put in this season. it’s all worth it.”

Brady Metz, Bryson’s older brother, scored 16 points.

Now, King’s Way is in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in the past five years. Seattle Academy beat the Knights 58-50 on Dec. 1, but King’s Way is now a different team than the one that started the season 2-5.

Thursday, The Knights will be comfortable.

But not too comfortable.

“Honestly, we’ve always been the underdog,” Cason said. “Last year, nobody thought we would make it. Even this year, we still have something to prove.”

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 67, CASHMERE 52

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (17-8) – Khalfani Cason 20, Kobi Cason 5, Ty Snider 0, Gage Koenders 6, Kafentse Cason 4, Mason Packer 0, Bryce Dodge 6, Seth Woody 0, Justin Frahm 0, Brady Metz 16, Bailey Meek 0, Bryson Metz 10. Totals 25 (6) 11-13 67.

CASHMERE (17-7) – Sam Phillips 14, Reid Smith 0, Nate Phillips 2, Mason Landdeck 15, Brooks Elliott 0, Sam Dotson 4, Blake Kitchel 0, Ty Schoening 0, Huber Farias 3, Colton Baldwin 0, Carter Alberts 14, Miguel Sanchez 0. Totals 20 (3) 2-6 52.

King’s Way   19       20       16       12—67

Cashmere     6          17       10       19—52

TACOMA — It’s been a charmed 2019 for the Prairie boys basketball team, and even though the shine wore off on Wednesday, the Falcons walked away from the Tacoma Dome with their heads held high.

Prairie, the seven seed, lost to 10-seeded Ingraham 40-36 in a first round 3A state tournament elimination game, after a back-and-forth finish to cap a season the Falcons started 2-6 and finished winning 14 of their last 16 games.

But the message Kyle Brooks gave to his Falcons, who by their own assessment vastly overachieved this season, did not dwell on the end-of-game particulars.

“They did everything we asked of them to give us a chance,” Brooks said. “Couldn’t be more proud of them. One posession, one way or another we win that game. Walk away feeling pretty good about it. Would you like to have it back? Yeah. But I’m pretty content with the way these guys played this year.”

Osborn concurred.

“Heads up,” senior Kam Osborn said of his coach’s message. “Nothing to get down about. We’re at the highest place of state basketball, so nothing to hang your heads about.”

But that didn’t stop Brooks and his team from reflecting to themselves on a game they were convinced they had, on a stage they were all but pinching themselves for being on.

E’lijah Rabideau scored a layup while being fouled to break a tie and put Ingraham ahead 38-36 with 31 seconds left. Osborn missed a contested jumper and Zeke Dixson pounced on the rebound, but was tangled up in a jump ball. Possession Ingraham, 12 seconds left.

“We could have had that game,” Zeke Dixson said. “It’s just really frustrating. Came down to a few plays at the end.”

Zeke Dixson finished at the rim over 6-foot-10 Mitchell Saxon to give Prairie its first lead with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Before then, Ingraham led off a lead it built in the first quarter of the low-scoring, physical affair. The Rams led by as many as nine in the second quarter, but Prairie pulled within six by the half.

Zeke Dixson finished with 11 points, a team-high. He was the only scorer in double figures, in part thanks to Ingraham’s box-and-one on Osborn (a zone with one roaming defender geared to shut down a team’s primary option).

That nuetralized Osborn, Prairie’s all-time single season scoring leader, to nine points — well below his average.

Saxon had 15 points and nine rebounds, and Rabideau finished with 16 rebounds for the Rams, who advance to Friday’s quarterfinals to face top-seeded Eastside Catholic.

As the Falcons mounted their second half comeback, they deployed Brooks’ advice throughout the season during games they trail: muddy it up.

In other words, win ugly.

“It seems like we do everything right when they said muddy up the game,” Zeke Dixson said. “We slowed down our offense and sped up our defense. It makes their offense crash.”

That enhanced defense defined the second half, according to Brooks.

And it helped the Falcons hold Ingraham to 28.6 percent shooting in the second half (0 of 3 from 3-point range) and fuel their comeback.

“We’ve been in 5, 6 games like that,” A.J. Dixson said. “We’ve come out on top in mostly all of them. I think this is the first game where we’ve been close so it’s really frustrating. We were at the pinnacle of our season and we can’t get it done.”

Osborn, an Oregon Tech signee, finished a decorated career with Prairie, which included recently passing former NBA player and Gonzaga standout Dan Dickau’s single-season scoring record.

After multiple key pieces in the Falcons’ 2017-18 team graduated, Osborn figured the team’s chances of reaching the Tacoma Dome were farfetched.

“I’m not trying to talk down on our players, but I didn’t think we’d get back,” Osborn said, flanked by A.J. and Zeke Dixson nodding in staunch agreement.

And with heads held high, the trio of teammates walked side-by-side out of the Tacoma Dome, hoping their frustration of the moment would turn to appreciation of the bigger picture.

INGRAHAM 40, PRAIRIE 36

INGRAHAM — Malik Johnson 7, Mitchell Saxson 15, Cozion Collins 8, Latrell Jones 2, E’lijah Rabideau 6, Charles Putez 0, David Atwood 0, Eyob Hailu 2. Totals 15 (4) 6-10 40.

PRAIRIE — Aidan Fraly 5, Kamerson Osborn 9, AJ Dixson 4, Zeke Dixson 11, Bronson King 0, Thomas Hapgood 3, Mark Frazier 4, Gabe Lilly 0. Totals 14 (3) 5-9 36

Ingraham 16 19 4 10 – 40
Prairie 9 11 6 19 – 36

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

BOYS BASKETBALL

4A state tournament

Union vs. Curtis, 10:30 a.m. at Tacoma Dome

2A state tournament

Columbia River vs. Lynden, 10:30 a.m. at Yakima SunDome

1A state tournament

King’s Way Christian vs. Seattle Academy, 3:45 p.m. at Yakima SunDome

La Center vs. Connell, 9 p.m. at Yakima SunDome

GIRLS BASKETBALL

3A state tournament

Prairie vs. Edmonds-Woodway, 10:30 a.m. at Tacoma Dome

2A state tournament

Washougal vs. W.F. West, 9 p.m. at Yakima SunDome

BOYS BASKETBALL

CLASS 4A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

Puyallup 56, Jackson 50

Curtis 46, Glacier Peak 43

Richland 81, Mount Rainier 51

Kentridge 66, Battle Ground 54

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Mount Si (23-2) vs. (11) Puyallup (21-7), 9 a.m.

(1) Union (24-1) vs. (7) Curtis (20-6), 10:30 a.m.

(3) Federal Way (24-2) vs. (5) Richland (21-4), 12:15 p.m.

(2) Gonzaga Prep (22-2) vs. (9) Kentridge (21-7), 2 p.m.

KENTRIDGE 66,

BATTLE GROUND 54

KENTRIDGE (21-7) — Cruz Medina 14, MOses Moore 12, Jeremy Banks 9, Jett Briceno 3, Owen Paznokas 22, Isaiah Haynes 3, Keshawn Douglas 0, Covaughn Jeffrey 0, Ben Victoria 0, Adrian Pop 3, Natano Woods 0, Drew Liddell 0. Totals 26-62 (9-15) 5-9 66.

BATTLE GROUND — KeAndre Hunter-Holliday 6, Vincent McCormic 6, Nathan Millspaugh 13, Brendan Beall 5, Kaden Perry 20, Jaiden Linville 1, Colin Barton 1, Lukas Karlsson 2, David Reed 0, Cole Bowden 0. Totals 22-53 (2-13) 8-13 54.

Kentridge 17 23 15 11—66

B. Ground 13 10 14 17—54

CLASS 3A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

O’Dea 69, Lincoln 51

Ingraham 40, Prairie 36

Kelso 59, Wilson 42

Capital 48, West Seattle 41

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Marysville-Pilchuck (20-3)vs. (11) O’Dea (17-7), 3:45 p.m.

(1) Eastside Catholic (23-2) vs. (10) Ingraham (18-7), 5:30 p.m.

(3) Rainier Beach (19-4) vs. (5) Kelso (21-4), 7:15 p.m.

(2) Mount Spokane (22-1) vs.  (9) Capital (21-4), 9 p.m.

INGRAHAM 40, PRAIRIE 36

INGRAHAM (18-7) — Malik Johnson 7, Mitchell Saxson 15, Cozion Collins 8, Latrell Jones 2, E’lijah Rabideau 6, Charles Putez 0, David Atwood 0, Eyob Hailu 2. Totals 15 (4) 6-10 40.

PRAIRIE (17-9) — Aidan Fraly 5, Kamerson Osborn 9, AJ Dixson 4, Zeke Dixson 11, Bronson King 0, Thomas Hapgood 3, Mark Frazier 4, Gabe Lilly 0. Totals 14 (3) 5-9 36

Ingraham 16 19 4 10—40

Prairie 9 11 6 19—36

CLASS 2A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

Clarkston 49, Liberty 41

Columbia River 49, Anacortes 37

Renton 57, Burlington-Edison 52

Fife 52, Franklin Pierce 43

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(5) Pullman (20-5) vs. (6) Clarkston (16-8), 9 a.m.

(1) Lynden (23-1) vs. (2) Columbia River (22-3), 10:30 a.m.

(3) North Kitsap (22-4) vs. (13) Renton (20-8), 12:15 p.m.

(7) Selah (18-5) vs. (9) Fife (21-7), 2 p.m.

COLUMBIA RIVER 49,

ANACORTES 37

ANACORTES (16-9) — Treyvohn Jedlinski 0, Kaeden Flynn 11, Duane Jedlinski 2, Nick Cortright 0, Gavin Moore 0, Nathan Johnson 2, Alek Miller, Gaige Berow 0, Cort Senff 5, Jordie Mehler 0, Greyson Eaton 13, Chase Cornett 4. Totals 14 (1) 8-13 37.

COLUMBIA RIVER (22-3) — Nate Snook 9, Alex Miller 2, Quincy Cartwright 0, Matt Asplund 0, Josh Kukula 0, Evan Dirksen 11, Caden Dezort 5, Cole Delich 0, Jack Armstrong 12, Marc Miranda 10, Dylan Valdez 0. Totals 19 (2) 9-10 49.

Anacortes 8 13 8 8—37

Col.River 12 15 7 15—49

CLASS 1A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

King’s Way Christian 67, Cashmere 52

King’s 77, Deer Park 40

Bellevue Christian 61, Okanogan 52, OT

Connell 43, Royal 40

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(5) Seattle Academy (19-3) vs. (11) King’s Way Christian (17-8), 3:45 p.m.

(1) Lynden Christian (24-0), (10) King’s (20-5), 5:30 p.m.

(3) Zillah (23-1) vs. (12) Bellevue Christian (17-7), 7:15 p.m.

(2) La Center (22-2) vs. (8) Connell (20-5), 9 p.m.

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 67, CASHMERE 52

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (17-8) — Khalfani Cason 20, Kobi Cason 5, Ty Snider 0, Gage Koenders 6, Kafentse Cason 4, Mason Packer 0, Bryce Dodge 6, Seth Woody 0, Justin Frahm 0, Brady Metz 16, Bailey Meek 0, Bryson Metz 10. Totals 25 (6) 11-13 67.

CASHMERE (17-7) — Sam Phillips 14, Reid Smith 0, Nate Phillips 2, Mason Landdeck 15, Brooks Elliott 0, Sam Dotson 4, Blake Kitchel 0, Ty Schoening 0, Huber Farias 3, Colton Baldwin 0, Carter Alberts 14, Miguel Sanchez 0. Totals 20 (3) 2-6 52.

King’s Way 19 20 16 12—67

Cashmere 6 17 10 19—52

CLASS 2B

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Elimination games, Wednesday

Willapa Valley 58, Oroville 44

Toledo 50, Asotin 37

Toutle Lake 49, Kalama 30

Lake Roosevelt 41, Liberty 37

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Brewster (19-5) vs. (6) Willapa Valley (20-6), 9 a.m.

(1) Kittitas (25-1) vs. (2) Toledo (22-3), 10:30 a.m.

(3) St. George’s (22-2) vs. (5) Toutle Lake (17-8), 12:15 p.m.

(7) Life Christian (19-4) vs. (8) Lake Roosevelt (20-6), 2 p.m.

CLASS 1B

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Elimination games, Wednesday

Riverside Christian 56, Lummi 40

Odessa 81, Neah Bay 73

Oakedale 86, Tulalip Heritage 50

Naselle 54, Garfield-Palouse 51

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(5) Muckleshoot (23-3) vs. (11) Riverside Christian (17-5), 3:45 p.m.

(1) Sunnyside Christian (23-1) vs. (2) Odessa (23-2), 5:30 p.m.

(6) Yakama Tribal (17-8) vs. (12) Oakesdale (18-7), 7:15 .m.

(7) Almira-Coulee-Hartline (19-4) vs. (8) Naslle (18-6), 9 p.m.

Girls basketball

CLASS 4A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

Bellarmine Prep 57, Hazen 33

Inglemoor 65, Rogers-Puyallup 54, OT

Glacier Peak 58, Chiawana, 49, 2OT

Woodinville 53, Sunnyside 52

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

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Central Valley (21-3) vs.  (6) Bellarmine Prep (21-5), 3:45 p.m.

(8) Eastlake (19-6) vs. (7) Inglemoor (21-5), 5 :30 p.m.

(3) Lewis & Clark (21-3) vs. (12)  Glacier Peak (21-2), 7:15 p.m.

(2) Kentridge (24-2) vs. (1) Woodinville (23-3), 9 p.m.

CLASS 3A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Elimination games, Wednesday

Snohomish 42, Seattle Prep 39

Edmonds-Woodway 54, Bethel 45

Roosevelt 60, Peninsula 56

West Seattle 50, Arlington 45

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Kamiakin (22-2) vs. (11) Snohomish (17-7), 9 a.m.

(1) Prairie (22-2) vs. (15) Edmonds-Woodway (15-9), 10:30 a.m.

(3) Garfield (21-2) vs. (12) Roosevelt (19-7), 12:15 p.m.

(2) Mt. Spokane (22-1) vs. (9) West Seattle (18-5), 2 p.m.

CLASS 2A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

Port Angeles 57, Sequim 47

East Valley-Spokane 61, Anacortes 23

Black Hills 60, Archbishop Murphy 47

W.F. West 57, Burlington-Edison 43

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) White River (24-3) vs. (6) Port Angeles (21-4), 3:45 p.m.

(1) Lydnen (21-3) vs.  (2) East Valley-Spokane (20-4), 5:30 p.m.

(3) Clarkston (23-2) vs. (13) Black Hills (18-8), 7:15 p.m.

(7) Washougal (20-4) vs. (8) W.F. West (18-7), 9 p.m.

CLASS 1A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Elimination games, Wednesday

Annie Wright 71, Zillah 67

Bellevue Christian 50, Freeman 43

Elma 42, Overlake 30

Medical Lake 49, King’s 36

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(4) Cashmere (21-2) vs. (6) Annie Wright (21-4), 9 a.m.

(1) La Salle (24-0) vs. (2) Bellevue Christian (22-3), 10:30 a.m.

(3) Lydnen Christian (21-3) vs. (5) Elma (22-3), 12:15 p.m.

(7) Meridian (19-5) vs. (9) Medical Lake (19-6), 2 p.m.

CLASS 2B

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Elimination games, Wednesday

Liberty 56, Willapa Valley 26

South Bend 49, Auburn Adventist 29

St. George’s 59, Ilwaco 41

Brewster 53, Rainier 48

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(5) Davenport (21-4) vs. (6)  Liberty (21-4), 3:45 p.m.

(1) Wahkiakum (23-1) vs. (15) South Bend (17-9), 5:30 p.m.

(3) La Conner (19-3) vs. (12) St. George’s (17-9), 7:15 p.m.

(2) Tri-Cities Prep (25-1) vs. (9) Brewster (20-4), 9 p.m.

CLASS 1B

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Elimination games, Wednesday

Sunnyside Christian 62, Inchelium 41

Selkirk 62, Taholah 49

Mount Vernon Christian 29, Naselle 19

Concordia Christian 64, Riverside Christian 59, 2OT

Quarterfinals, Thursday

(5) Neah Bay (21-2) vs. (6) Sunnyside Christian (20-5), 9 a.m.

(1) Colton (21-2) vs. (15) Selkirk (16-9), 10:30 a.m.

(3) Almira-Coulee-Hartline (22-1) vs. (4) Mt. Vernon Christian (22-3), 12:15 p.m.

(2) Pomeroy (21-3) vs. (8) Concordia Christian (22-5), 2 p.m.

TACOMA — Hala Corral wasn’t sure if her seniors knew they’d never won a game in the Tacoma Dome, so she didn’t say anything about it to her team.

Turns out, she didn’t need to. They knew.

The top-seeded Prairie girls basketball team hit 11 3-pointers to beat 15-seed Edmonds-Woodway 58-39 in the 3A state quarterfinals on Thursday morning.

Afterward Corral, the Falcons’ head coach, and the rest of her team who have fallen short in years past, breathed a collective sigh of relief.

“Monkey’s off,” Corral said. “We’re not done. Our goal isn’t to just win one game but it’s big to get this one game.”

Brooke Walling led all scorers with 21 points, Kendyl Carson added 12 points to lead the Falcons. Edmonds-Woodway was paced by Rebekah Dasalla’s 16 points.

Prairie’s double-digit lead after three quarters grew to 19 in the fourth. The Warriors showed life late with a string of 3s, but Prairie’s Alli Corral and Mallory Williams hit 3s to keep them at bay.

Edmonds-Woodway deployed a modified zone that featured steady, disruptive pressure to the Falcons’ best shooter, Portland State commit Cassidy Gardner.

Gardner scored two points, but junior Kendyl Carson stepped in to attack the holes Prairie had scouted in the Warriors’ defense.

“You can’t guard that,” Corral said. “(Carson) does things that other kids can’t do. She has a really high basketball IQ, but to catch and attack and have a mid-range game, there’s very few kids who have a midrange game and she has it. It was a big factor.”

Walling hit three of her five 3s in the first quarter and Prairie led by just two at halftime. But the Falcons erupted to outscore the Warriors 20-11 in the third quarter. They were 7 of 13 from deep in the second half, which has not been the case in recent years as Prairie has struggled to shoot in the Tacoma Dome.

“Last year we couldn’t hit anything that first game, but we’ve been really focusing getting up shots and seeing the ball go through the net,” Walling said.

Mallory Williams hit both her 3-pointers in the second half.

The Falcons face a quick turnaround before playing 4-seed Kamiakin in the semifinals at 3:45 p.m. on Friday.

But to get the first win, they said, is deeply satisfying.

“It’s awesome,” Walling said. “It’s one of many that we’re hoping to get. So we’ve got to keep going.”

Added junior Alli Corral: “It definitely controls our nerves down to know that we’re meant to be here.”

PRAIRIE 58, EDMONDS-WOODWAY 39
EDMONDS-WOODWAY — A.J. Martineau 6, INgrid Fosberg 3, Maddie McMAhon 0, Rebekah Dasalla 16, Adrienne Poling 8, Kaddy Kongira 0, Jadyen Waram 0, Lilly Frunk 0, Kristen Reijonen 0, Brooke Kearney 6, Keren Seare 0, Ann Okullu. Totals 14-40 (9-29) 2-2 39.
PRAIRIE — Allison Corral 9, Kendyl Carson 12, Brooke Walling 21, Mallory Williams 8, Cassidy Gardner 2, Dayna Vera 0, Meri Dunford 4, Hannah Clouse 0, Claire Heischmidt 2, Haley Reed 0, Kylie Diaz 0. Totals 21-54 (11-27) 5-6 59.
Edmonds-Woodway 9 10 11 9 — 58
Prairie 13 8 20 17 — 39

YAKIMA – The Columbia River boys basketball team climbed out of a big hole, but couldn’t reach the summit against the state’s top 2A team.

No. 1-ranked Lynden beat No. 2 Columbia River 52-40 in the 2A state quarterfinals on Thursday at the SunDome.

Columbia River trailed 18-4 two minutes into the second quarter. But the Chieftains rallied to enter halftime with a 22-20 lead.

Lynden (24-1) controlled the second half, opening a 38-29 lead at the end of the third quarter.

“At halftime we were all jacked in there,” senior forward Evan Dirksen said outside the Columbia River locker room. “We thought we could seal the deal. But it turns out we didn’t.”

Nate Snook scored 13 points and Dirksen added 12 for Columbia River (22-4).

Columbia River will face No. 6 Clarkston in the fourth-place semifinal Friday at 9 a.m.

The Chieftains had eight turnovers in the first quarter and were outscored 14-2.

“You can’t turn the ball over in the state tournament and expect to win,” Columbia River coach David Long said. “You can do that in the regular season from time to time. But in the state tournament the team that turns the ball over isn’t going to win.”

Columbia River trailed 18-4 with six minutes left in the first half. But five consecutive points by Dirksen ignited the Chieftains’ comeback. When Alex Miller drained a 3-pointer with 1:10 left in the half, River had come all the way back to tie the score at 18.

“That was a fun comeback in the first half,” Long said. “Our kids enjoyed that rally.”

The second half started with River ahead 22-20. Then Lynden, which shot 27 percent in the first half, got hot. Clayton Whitman scored 12 of his game-high 22 points in that quarter and the Lions shot 54 percent in the second half.

“We had a lot of momentum,” Dirksen said. “But credit to Lynden. They weathered the storm and made their own run.”

Snook scored five straight points to open the fourth quarter, pulling River within 38-34. But Lynden put the game away with a 14-3 run.

“They were extremely physical,” Long said. “Their coach and I talked after the game. That was their gameplan. He didn’t want us to run our stuff.”

Long said fatigue was also a factor in River’s second game in two days.

“We are really giving 100 percent every trip,” Long said. “I’m so pleased with the effort that our kids are putting out. But it has taken a toll. We’re not very deep.”

River was outrebounded 29-16, gave up 12 offensive rebounds and had 18 turnovers.

“We turned the ball over, we didn’t get enough rebounds to seal the deal and we didn’t make shots either,” Dirksen said. “That’s definitely not how you win games.”

LYNDEN 52, COLUMBIA RIVER 40

COLUMBIA RIVER (22-4) – Nate Snook 13, Alex Miller 6, Quincy Cartwright 0, Matt Asplund 0, Josh Kukula 3, Evan Dirksen 12, Caden Dezort 0, Cole Delich 0, Jack Armstrong 2, Marc Miranda 4, Dylan Valdez 0. Totals 15 (5) 5-7 40.

LYNDEN (24-1) – Kobe Eisner 2, Blake Silves 7, James Marsh 5, Clayton Whitman 22, Brock Heppner 0, Carson Bode 0, Eli HanderHaak 0, Dakota Baar 2, Carter Parcher 0, Christian Zamora 14, Liam Hanenburg 0. Totals 18 (2) 14-17 52.

Col.River       2          20       7          11—40

Lynden          14       6          18       14—52

TACOMA — The Union Titans no longer are on the side of the Class 4A state tournament bracket with a chance to play for a state championship.

While disappointed their state title hopes are dashed following a 58-55 loss to Curtis in the teams’ state quarterfinal Thursday, the Titans already are looking ahead to Friday’s consolation game against Puyallup.

Because a win means a state trophy for the third time in four years.

“It stings,” junior guard Brad Lackey said, “but we’re right back to business after this. We can’t be thinking about this one. We have to play the next one.”

Lackey had 11 of his 16 points after halftime, and fellow guard Ethan Smith poured in a team-high 18, but Union had 19 turnovers and was held to just one field goal the final 2 minutes, 41 seconds of the game.

Union went the full length of the court with 6.6 seconds left after a timeout trailing 3, and Houston Combs’ potential game-tying 3-point attempt fell short at the buzzer.

While neither team had a comfortable lead, Union led by as many as six three times Thursday. The last came at 46-40 on Brad Lackey’s 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter. Another Lackey 3 made it 53-48 with 2:41 to play.

But that final 2:41 is when Curtis made its run. The Vikings outscored Union 7-0 in a 2-minute stretch, getting a 3-point play by Jordan Parker, a putback by Soloman McGinnis and two Zack Paulsen (game-high 22 points) free throws.

Smith said it wasn’t so much being frazzled, as it was the Titans trying to make a late-game play.

“We got a little too excited some of the times,” said Smith. “We just couldn’t finish.”

On the possession before, Combs’ quick lay-in following a Union timeout made it 56-55 Curtis. Yet in the final minute, Union turned the ball over, and had another near-turnover at midcourt. The Titans retained possession on that play, but lost 12 seconds off the game clock trailing 56-53.

Union finished with 19 turnovers.

“Curtis did a great job of pressuring,” coach Blake Conley said, “and forcing us into turnovers. You can’t win a state game and have 19 turnovers.”

The Titans haven’t been in many down-to-the-wire games this season, and have won their past seven games by an average of 26 points.

“They looked like the more experienced team down the stretch,” Lackey said of Curtis.

The Titans face Puyallup, which fell 45-40 to Mt. Si in its 4A quarterfinal, at 9 a.m. Friday. Win, and the Titans are guaranteed a state trophy Saturday.

—

CURTIS 58, UNION 55

CURTIS — Jared Franklin 8, Zack Paulsen 22, Jordan Parker 11, Soloman McGinnis 8, Maceo Lewis 2, Bryce Parker 0, Dylan Yager 0, Josiah Miller 0, Isaac Morrow 7. Totals 20 (2) 16-22 58.

UNION — Tanner Toolson 7, Alishawuan Taylor 4, Brad Lackey 16, Houston Combs 6, Ethan Smith 18, Ariya Briscoe 1, Josh Reznick 0, Mason Hill 2, Ty McCullum 0, Curtis Youngren 2. Totals 17 (6) 15-15 55.

Curtis 19 9 12 18 – 58

Union 16 17 10 12 – 55

YAKIMA – King’s Way Christian was trailing late in the first quarter. Its leading scorer had just gone down.

That’s when Bryson Metz stepped up.

Metz, a freshman, scored 21 points to lead No. 11 King’s Way Christian to a 49-39 win over No. 5 Seattle Academy in the 1A boys basketball state quarterfinals Thursday.

King’s Way (18-8) will face No. 10 King’s in the semifinals Friday at the SunDome. King’s knocked off No. 1 Lynden Christian 73-50 on Thursday.

King’s Way trailed 13-8 late in the first quarter when leading scorer Khalfani Cason left the game with a partially dislocated shoulder.

But Metz scored the game’s next eight points. He finished the first half with 16 points, going 3 for 3 from 3-point range, as King’s Way took a 30-21 lead.

“It was pretty special what he was able to do,” King’s Way coach Daven Harmeling said. “He very much wants to distribute and get other guys involved. But when Khal went down, I think he knew he had to shoulder some more of that scoring responsibility.”

Metz didn’t shy away when his team needed somebody to take the scoring load from Cason, who averages 13.7 points per game.

“One of our main players went down, so I felt the need for someone to step up,” Metz said. “I got on a good streak and got us going.”

It wasn’t just Metz who upped his game. Though the scoresheet doesn’t show it, players such as Kobi Cason, Bryce Dodge and Bubba Cason cranked up their hustle. The trio combined for only nine points, but had 23 rebounds and seven steals.

“We had to be more of leaders on the court,” Kobi Cason said. “We depend on Khal most of the time for everything we do. When we lost him, we were like ‘dang, what are we going to do?’ But my teammates lifted me up and said c’mon Kobi, you’ve got it.’”

The Knights avenged a 58-50 loss to Seattle Academy (18-4) on Dec. 1. In that game, the Cardinals used their size advantage to build a 19-point lead after three quarters. King’s Way rallied late when it switched to a full-court press.

“I don’t think we’d do well playing a football game against them,” Harmeling said. “We knew they had the size advantage, so we could not just let them play in the half-court.”

That meant King’s Way defenders, especially Bubba Cason, guarded Seattle Academy’s top scorer Leo DeBruhl the entire length of the court. DeBruhl was held to six points, below his average of 16.6 per game.

Seattle Academy shot just 27.3 percent (15-55) from the field. The Cardinals pulled within 43-39, but did not score for the last three minutes of the game.

“As much as Bryson’s scoring effort gave us a lift, Bubba on the defensive end gave us a shot of life,” Harmeling said.

Now King’s Way is in the state semifinals for the second time in four years. Though it’s unclear whether Khalfani Cason will play Friday, the Knights proved they can’t be counted out.

“The determination of our team is amazing,” Metz said. “Coming back into the locker room, you could see in all the guys’ eyes how bad they wanted it. We proved to everyone what we can do, even when we’re down. We came back.”

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 49, SEATTLE ACADEMY 39

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (18-8) – Khalfani Cason 2, Kobi Cason 6, Gage Koenders 4, Kafentse Cason 0, Bryce Dodge 3, Justin Frahm 0, Brady Metz 13, Bailey Meek 0, Bryson Metz 21. Totals 15 (6) 13-18 49.

SEATTLE ACADEMY (18-4) – Teja Singh 8, Leo DeBruhl 6, Lewis Welsh 0, Brady Doran 0, Andrzej Domanski 4, Reid McCaw 0, Joe Cookson 5, Logan Britt 4, Isaac Allnut 12. Totals 15 (3) 6-10 39.

King’s Way   11       19       10       9—49

Sea. Academy          13       8          13       5—39

YAKIMA – The third time was another charm for the Washougal girls basketball team.

The Panthers beat W.F. West for the third time this season, 49-39, in the 2A state quarterfinals Thursday at the SunDome.

No. 7 Washougal advances to face No. 3 Clarkston Friday at 9 p.m. It’s the Panthers’ first trip to the state semifinals in program history.

“It’s so awesome,” freshman guard Jaiden Bea said. “This year we’re going to try and get the big thing. It has been super fun together. We’re really building team memories.

Jaiden Bea scored 18 points, Beyonce Bea added 12 and Washougal’s scrappy defense smothered their District 4 rivals, who shot just 31 percent from the field.

Thursday’s win comes less than two weeks after the Panthers beat W.F. West 54-48 in the district championship game. Washougal (21-4) also opened the season with a 77-48 win over the No. 8 Bearcats (18-8).

“It’s harder to play a team three times,” Jaiden Bea said. “Each time they get to know you more and more. We had to compromise and make new plays.”

McKinley Stotts and Beyonce Bea each hit 3-pointers to help Washougal open a 10-2 lead. But W.F. West responded with seven straight points and ended the first quarter down 12-9.

Jaiden Bea picked up the scoring load in the second quarter for Washougal. She scored eight of her team’s 14 points as the Panthers led 26-20 at halftime.

Then Washougal’s defense took control. The Panthers allowed only three points in the third quarter to open a 34-23 lead. Skylar Bea scored seven of her team’s nine points in the quarter.

Skylar Bea, who had 10 points and nine rebounds, said defense continues to be the team’s emphasis.

“We said box out hard because they really go in hard for the rebound,” she said. “Defense is the big thing because defense wins championships.”

W.F. West closed within 34-28 early in the fourth. But Washougal put the game away with an 11-2 run capped by a Beyonce Bea three-point play that put the Panthers up 45-32 with just under two minutes to play.

Washougal has made the state tournament four straight years and has now reached the final four for the first time.

“We need to keep doing what we did tonight,” Skylar Bea said. “Keep our energy level up, stay positive and keep up the defense.”

WASHOUGAL 49, W.F. WEST 39

W.F. WEST (18-8) – Maggie Vadala 4, Drea Brumfield 5, Madi Mencke 6, Courtney Bennett 6, Sarah Haakenson 0, Kyla McCallum 0, Makayla Mencke 0, Annika Waring 13, Tehani Henry 2, Madi Haakenson 3. Totals 15 (3) 6-16 39.

WASHOUGAL (21-4) – Kiara Cross 0, Jaiden Bea 16, Savea Mansfield 3, Beyonce Bea 14, McKinley Stotts 6, Ashley Gibbons 0, Sammy Mederos 0, Skylar Bea 10. Totals 16 (2) 15-22 49.

WF West       9          11       3          16—39

Washougal   12       14       8          15—49

La Center is headed to the 1A state semifinals.

Avery Seter scored 28 points as the Wildcats cruised to a 68-45 win over 8-seeded Connell in the 1A state quarterfinals in the Yakima Valley SunDome on Thursday evening.

The Wildcats outscored Connell 43-22 over the second and third quarters to take a commanding lead into the fourth that went unchallenged.

La Center, which has now won 10 straight dating back to mid-January, will play 3-seeded Zillah on Friday at 9 p.m. The Wildcats have won every game in the postseason by double-digits.

What enabled the Wildcats’ offense, which was led by Avery Seter’s 28 points?

Seter: “Our defense”

(via @col_mrice) pic.twitter.com/IH2CaL6QFr

— Andy Buhler (@AndyBuhler) March 1, 2019

Three La Center players scored in double figures, including Hunter Ecklund (13 points) and Matt Bryant (10 points).

But on Thursday night, Seter did most of the heavy lifting on offense.

Seter, a first team all-1A Trico League selection, scored seven of his 16 first half points in the second quarter as the Wildcats found enough of a rhythm to build an eight-point lead at the break.

His night was far from over.

The senior finished a transition bucket after a euro step to put the Wildcats up 13 with 6:29 left in the third. A driving layup off the glass by Seter pushed the lead to 19 late in the third, and Connell was never able to recover.

He also had four steals, which he credited as helping jump-start the Wildcats on offense.

“We got a lot of steals and that led us into fast breaks and we got easy layups there,” Seter said. “Once you get momentum going, shots start falling, it’s easy after that”

La Center led by as many as 29 points in the fourth.

Connell, which shot 31.4 percent from the field and 14.8 percent from 3 (4 of 27), was led by Silas Chase’s 11 points. Chase was the only Eagles player to score in double figures.

The Wildcats’ win came just hours after top-seeded Lynden was ousted from the title hunt in a 23-point loss to 10-seed King’s.

“Everybody can get knocked out at some point,” Seter said. “Every team is good, so you’ve got to give it your best every night, hopefully you win.”

Micah Rice contributed to this report.

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

BOYS BASKETBALL

4A state tournament

Union vs. Puyallup, 9 a.m. at Tacoma Dome

2A state tournament

Columbia River vs. Clarkston, 9 a.m. at Yakima SunDome

1A state tournament

King’s Way Christian vs. King’s, 7:15 p.m. at Yakima SunDome

La Center vs. Zillah, 9 p.m. at Yakima SunDome

GIRLS BASKETBALL

3A state tournament

Prairie vs. Kamiakin 3:45 p.m. at Tacoma Dome

2A state tournament

Washougal vs. Clarkston, 9 p.m. at Yakima SunDome

BOYS BASKETBALL

CLASS 4A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Quarterfinals, Thursday

Mount Si 45, Puyallup 40

Curtis 58, Union 55

Federal Way 81, Richland 58

Gonzaga Prep 63, Kentridge 40

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(11) Puyallup (21-8) vs. (1) Union (24-2), 9 a.m.

(5) Richland (21-5) vs. (9) Kentridge (21-8), 10:30 a.m.

Championship semifinals

(4) Mount Si (24-2) vs. (7) Curtis (21-6), 3:45 p.m.

(3) Federal Way (25-2) vs. (2) Gonzaga Prep (23-2), 5:30 p.m.

CURTIS 58, UNION 55

CURTIS (21-6) — Jared Franklin 8, Zack Paulsen 22, Jordan Parker 11, Soloman McGinnis 8, Maceo Lewis 2, Bryce Parker 0, Dylan Yager 0, Josiah Miller 0, Isaac Morrow 7. Totals 20 (2) 16-22 58.

UNION (24-2) — Tanner Toolson 7, Alishawuan Taylor 4, Brad Lackey 16, Houston Combs 6, Ethan Smith 18, Ariya Briscoe 1, Josh Reznick 0, Mason Hill 2, Ty McCullum 0, Curtis Youngren 2. Totals 17 (6) 15-15 55.

Curtis 19 9 12 18—58

Union 16 17 10 12—55

CLASS 3A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Quarterfinals, Thursday

O’Dea 63, Marysville-Pilchuck 53

Eastside Catholic 63, Ingraham 37

Rainier Beach 51, Kelso 42

Mount Spokane 71, Capital 60

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(4) Marysville-Pilchuck (20-4) vs. (10) Ingraham (18-8), 12:15 p.m.

(5) Kelso (21-5) vs. (9) Capital (21-5), 2 p.m.

Championship semifinals

(11) O’Dea (18-7) vs. (1) Eastside Catholic (24-2), 7:15 p.m.

(3) Rainier Beach (20-4) vs. (2) Mount Spokane (23-1), 9 p.m.

CLASS 2A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Quarterfinals, Thursday

Pullman 64, Clarkston 54

Lynden 52, Columbia River 40

Renton 56, North Kitsap 51

Selah 72, Fife 59

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(6) Clarkston (16-9) vs. (2) Columbia River (22-4), 9 a.m.

(3) North Kitsap (22-5) vs. (9) Fife (21-8), 10:30 a.m.

Championship semifinals

(5) Pullman (21-5) vs. (1) Lynden (24-1), 3:45 p.m.

(13) Renton (21-8) vs. (7) Selah (19-5), 5:30 p.m.

LYNDEN 52, COLUMBIA RIVER 40

COLUMBIA RIVER (22-4) — Nate Snook 13, Alex Miller 6, Quincy Cartwright 0, Matt Asplund 0, Josh Kukula 3, Evan Dirksen 12, Caden Dezort 0, Cole Delich 0, Jack Armstrong 2, Marc Miranda 4, Dylan Valdez 0. Totals 15 (5) 5-7 40.

LYNDEN (24-1) — Kobe Eisner 2, Blake Silves 7, James Marsh 5, Clayton Whitman 22, Brock Heppner 0, Carson Bode 0, Eli HanderHaak 0, Dakota Baar 2, Carter Parcher 0, Christian Zamora 14, Liam Hanenburg 0. Totals 18 (2) 14-17 52.

Col.River 2 20       7 11—40

Lynden 14 6 18 14—52

CLASS 1A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Quarterfinals, Thursday

King’s Way Christian 49, Seattle Academy 39

King’s 73, Lynden Christian 50

Zillah 56, Bellevue Christian 51

La Center 68, Connell 45

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(5) Seattle Academy (19-4) vs. (1) Lynden Christian (24-1), 12:15 p.m.

(12) Bellevue Christian (17-8) vs. (8) Connell (20-6), 2 p.m.

Championship semifinals

(11) King’s Way Christian (18-8) vs. (10) King’s (21-5), 7:15 p.m.

(3) Zillah (24-1) vs. (2) La Center (23-2), 9 p.m.

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 49,

SEATTLE ACADEMY 39

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (18-8) — Khalfani Cason 2, Kobi Cason 6, Gage Koenders 4, Kafentse Cason 0, Bryce Dodge 3, Justin Frahm 0, Brady Metz 13, Bailey Meek 0, Bryson Metz 21. Totals 15 (6) 13-18 49.

SEATTLE ACADEMY (18-4) — Teja Singh 8, Leo DeBruhl 6, Lewis Welsh 0, Brady Doran 0, Andrzej Domanski 4, Reid McCaw 0, Joe Cookson 5, Logan Britt 4, Isaac Allnut 12. Totals 15 (3) 6-10 39.

King’s Way 11 19 10 9—49

Sea. Acad. 13 8 13 5—39

LA CENTER 68, CONNELL 45

CONNELL (20-6) — Nolan Chase 2, Ridge Pauley 3, James Colclasure 5, Cutter Easterday 6, Danny Sidamdouane 0, Tyler Moore 0, Tony Herrman 2, Camren Chase 3, Austin Smith 4, Payton Riner 9, Silas Chase 11. Totals 16-51 (4-27) 9-15 45.

LA CENTER (23-2) — Colby Shaw 6, Evan Norris 4, Avery Seter 28, Matt Bryant 10, Hunter Ecklund 13, Hunter Ball 2, Parker Ball 0, Ben Kelley 0, Tobey Deemer 3, Micah Adams 2, Jeremy Humphrey 0, Riley Fender 0. Totals 21-54 (7-23) 19-22 68.

Connell 11 12 10 12—45

La Center 10 21 22 15—68

CLASS 2B

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Quarterfinals, Thursday

Brewster 57, Willapa Valley 49

Kittitas 57, Toledo 50

St. George’s 53, Toutle Lake 44

Life Christian, 64, Lake Roosevelt 44

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(6) Willapa Valley (20-7) vs. (2) Toledo (22-4), 9 a.m.

(5) Toutle Lake (17-9) vs. (8) Lake Roosevelt (20-7), 10:30 a.m.

Championship semifinals

(4) Brewster (20-5) vs. (1) Kittitas (26-1), 3:45 p.m.

(3) St. George’s (23-2) vs. (7) Life Christian (20-4), 5:30 p.m.

CLASS 1B

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Quarterfinals, Thursday

Muckleshoot 67, Riverside Christian 56

Sunnyside Christian 66, Odessa 49

Yakama Tribal 62, Oakesdale 45

Almira-Coulee-Hartline 54, Naselle 37

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(11) Riverside Christian (17-6) vs. (2) Odessa (23-3), 12:15 p.m.

(12) Oakesdale (18-8) vs. (8) Naselle (18-7), 2 p.m.

Championship semifinals

(5) Muckleshoot (24-3) vs. (1) Sunnyside Christian (24-1), 7:15 p.m.

(6) Yakama Tribal (18-8) vs. (7) Almira-Coulee-Hartline (20-4), 9 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

CLASS 4A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Quarterfinals, Thursday

Bellarmine Prep 46, Central Valley 44

Eastlake 63, Inglemoor 46

Lewis & Clark 48, Glacier Peak 38

Kentridge 55, Woodinville 44

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(4) Central Valley (21-4) vs. (7) Inglemoor (21-6), 12:15 p.m.

(12) Glacier Peak (21-3) vs. (1) Woodinville (23-4), 2 p.m.

Championship semifinals

(6) Bellarmine Prep (22-5) vs. (8) Eastlake (20-6), 7:15 p.m.

(3) Lewis & Clark (22-3) vs. (2) Kentridge (25-2), 9 p.m.

CLASS 3A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Tacoma

Quarterfinals, Thursday

Kamiakin 57, Snohomish 39

Prairie 58, Edmonds-Woodway 39

Garfield 55, Roosevelt 21

Mt. Spokane 55, West Seattle 35

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(11) Snohomish (17-8) vs. (15) Edmonds-Woodway (15-10), 9 a.m.

(12) Roosevelt (19-8) vs. (9) West Seattle (18-6), 10:30 a.m.

Championship semifinals

(4) Kamiakin (23-2) vs. (1) Prairie (23-2), 3:45 p.m.

(3) Garfield (22-2) vs. (2) Mt. Spokane (23-1), 5:30 p.m.

PRAIRIE 58,

EDMONDS-WOODWAY 39

EDMONDS-WOODWAY (15-10) — A.J. Martineau 6, INgrid Fosberg 3, Maddie McMAhon 0, Rebekah Dasalla 16, Adrienne Poling 8, Kaddy Kongira 0, Jadyen Waram 0, Lilly Frunk 0, Kristen Reijonen 0, Brooke Kearney 6, Keren Seare 0, Ann Okullu. Totals 14-40 (9-29) 2-2 39.

PRAIRIE (23-2) — Allison Corral 9, Kendyl Carson 12, Brooke Walling 21, Mallory Williams 8, Cassidy Gardner 2, Dayna Vera 0, Meri Dunford 4, Hannah Clouse 0, Claire Heischmidt 2, Haley Reed 0, Kylie Diaz 0. Totals 21-54 (11-27) 5-6 59.

EW 9 10 11 9—39

Prairie 13 8 20 17—58

CLASS 2A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Quarterfinals, Thursday

White River 60, Port Angeles 55

East Valley-Spokane 52, Lynden 42

Clarkston 42, Black Hills 28

Washougal 49, W.F. West 38

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(6) Port Angeles (21-5) vs. (1) Lynden (21-4), 12:15 p.m.

(13) Black Hills (18-9) vs. (8) W.F. West (18-8), 2 p.m.

Championship semifinals

(4) White River (25-3) vs. (2) East Valley-Spokane (21-4), 7:15 p.m.

(3) Clarkston (24-2) vs. (7) Washougal (21-4), 9 p.m.

WASHOUGAL 49, W.F. WEST 39

W.F. WEST (18-8) – Maggie Vadala 4, Drea Brumfield 5, Madi Mencke 6, Courtney Bennett 6, Sarah Haakenson 0, Kyla McCallum 0, Makayla Mencke 0, Annika Waring 13, Tehani Henry 2, Madi Haakenson 3. Totals 15 (3) 6-16 39.

WASHOUGAL (21-4) — Kiara Cross 0, Jaiden Bea 16, Savea Mansfield 3, Beyonce Bea 14, McKinley Stotts 6, Ashley Gibbons 0, Sammy Mederos 0, Skylar Bea 10. Totals 16 (2) 15-22 49.

WF West 9 11 3 16—39

Washougal 12 14 8 15—49

CLASS 1A

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Yakima

Quarterfinals, Thursday

Cashmere 62, Annie Wright 41

La Salle 61, Bellevue Christian 21

Lynden Christian 61, Elma 25

Meridian 41, Medical Lake 33

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(6) Annie Wright (21-5) vs. (2) Bellevue Christian (22-4), 9 a.m.

(5) Elma (22-4) vs. (7) Meridian (19-6), 10:30 a.m.

Championship semifinals

(4) Cashmere (22-2) vs. (1) La Salle (25-0), 3:45 p.m.

(3) Lynden Christian (22-3) vs. (9) Medical Lake (20-6), 5:30 p.m.

CLASS 2B

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Quarterfinals, Thursday

Liberty 55, Davenport 45

Wahkiakum 44, South Bend 21

La Conner 56, St. George’s 40

Tri-Cities Prep 75, Brewster 43

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(5) Davenport (21-5) vs. (15) South Bend (17-10), 12:15 p.m.

(12) St. George’s (17-10) vs. (9) Brewster (20-5), 2 p.m.

Championship semifinals

(6) Liberty (22-4) vs. (1) Wahkiakum (24-1), 7:15 p.m.

(3) La Conner (20-3) vs. (2) Tri-Cities Prep (26-1), 9 p.m.

CLASS 1B

HARDWOOD CLASSIC

At Spokane

Quarterfinals, Thursday

Neah Bay 62, Sunnyside Christian 51

Colton 68, Selkirk 16

Almira-Coulee-Hartline 49, Mt. Vernon Christian 22

Pomeroy 65, Concordia Christian 25

Friday’s games

Elimination games

(6) Sunnyside Christian (20-6) vs. (15) Selkirk (16-10), 9 a.m.

(4) Mount Vernon Christian (22-4) vs. (8) Concordia Christian (22-6), 10:30 a.m.

Championship semifinals

(5) Neah Bay (22-2) vs. (1) Colton (22-2), 3:45 p.m.

(3) Almira-Coulee-Hartline (23-1) vs. Pomeroy (22-3), 5:30 p.m.

YAKIMA – The Columbia River boys basketball team’s season came to an end Friday with a 47-40 loss to Clarkston in the 2A state tournament consolation round at the SunDome.

One day after falling to No. 1 Lynden in the quarterfinals, No. 2 River ends its season at 22-5.

But there are plenty of memories the Chieftains will cherish after the sting of Friday’s loss subsides. River went unbeaten in the 2A Greater St. Helens League, ended the 18-year title reign of Mark Morris and captured the district championship.

“We’ll definitely remember it, especially the district tournament,” senior Caden Dezort said. “Losing last year at Saint Martin’s was crucial and we’ll never forget that. But winning this year was great.”

River loses three starting seniors – Dezort, Evan Dirksen and Jack Armstrong, who all played key roles in the Chieftains reaching the state tournament for two straight years.

That success serves as a guide for returning players such as junior guard Alex Miller.

“It was something really special,” he said. “It’s hard to look forward right now, but next season we’re really going to miss the guys we’re graduating. We’re just going to have to do what we did this year, rebuild as a team and find our new identity.”

Miller and Dirksen got the Chieftains going early. They combined for all 11 points in the first quarter, which ended with River up by two.

While River keyed on Clarkston’s 6-foot-10 post Brandton Chatfield, holding him to six points, the Chieftains were caught off guard by the Bantams’ outside shooting. Clarkston ended the first half on a 16-3 run, hitting four 3-pointers, to take a 27-19 lead into halftime.

“We tried to key on their big guy,” Dezort said. “If they beat us from the outside, we’ll have to live with that.”

The Chieftains trailed by as many as 13- points in the third quarter, but pulled within 36-30 headed to the fourth.

But the Chieftains couldn’t make shots down the stretch and were forced to foul. Clarkston’s Tru Allen, who scored 22 points, made seven free throws in the final 2:42 to protect the lead.

Dirksen scored 15 points and Dezort added nine for the Chieftains, who shot 38.5 percent and were outrebounded 30-20.

Clarkston (17-8) advances to the fourth-place game against No. 3 North Kitsap on Saturday morning.

CLARKSTON 47, COLUMBIA RIVER 40

CLARKSTON (17-8) – Christian Robbins 0, Tru Allen 22, Alex Italia 0, Austin Roueche 3, Gus Hagestad 16, Max Johnson 0, Brandon Chatfield 6. Totals 15 (6) 11-16 47.

COLUMBIA RIVER (22-5) – Nate Snook 2, Alex Miller 8, Matt Asplund 0, Evan Dirksen 15, Caden Dezort 9, Jack Armstrong 4, Marc Miranda 2, Cole Delich 0. Totals 15 (6) 4-6 40.

Col.River       9          18       9          11—47

Clarkston      11       8          11       10—40

TACOMA — The outcome wasn’t what the Union Titans wanted nor expected to see, but without question, the 2018-’19 season is a success.

That’s how players and coaches equally felt after a 61-48 loss to Puyallup in Friday morning’s 4A boys consolation game that ended No. 1 Union’s season at 24-3.

“A few rough games,” junior Tanner Toolson said, “and it’s out. It just shows how quickly everything can end. We’ll use it as motivation for next year. I’m just sad I couldn’t bring home a trophy for our seniors.”

Toolson added one more thing.

“We’ll be back next year,” he said.

This week marked the Titans’ fifth consecutive state trip. As the WIAA’s No. 1 RPI team for Class 4A boys, they entered the state tournament with lofty goals of reaching the state title game for the second time in three years, yet fell into the consolation bracket following its 58-55 loss to No. 7 Curtis in Thursday’s quarterfinal.

But for many, Union exceeded expectations by winning its first 22 games and repeating as 4A Greater St. Helens League champions behind a number of new characters.

One of them is Toolson, a first-team all-league player in his inaugural varsity season who poured in 18 points Friday. He also played a key part in the Titans’ 13-0 spurt to cut a once-16-point deficit down to three by the end of the third quarter.

No. 11 Puyallup rushed out to a double-digit lead on Union early, and by the time the 4-minute mark of the third quarter arrived, its lead grew to 37-21.

Union’s will to win wasn’t done. It went on a 13-0 run, behind eight points by Toolson on consecutive 3-pointers and a pair of free throws to help pull the deficit to three entering the fourth quarter.

Never a doubt of a comeback, said senior guard Houston Combs. It just took time.

“That’s just our team,” said Combs, who had five points and four assists in his final high school game. Our team shows so much spirit, and that’s why we’re so special.”

But Union committed four turnovers early in the fourth, yet still cut the deficit to 1 at 49-48 with 1:50 to play. The Vikings (22-8) were in the bonus for much of the fourth quarter and hit 8 of 8 at the line as part of ending the game on a 12-0 run.

A lot of energy poured into the scoring run left little left for a final stretch run, players said.

“We drained all that energy to cut into the lead,” Combs said, “and then we couldn’t make plays at the end.”

Despite not bringing home a trophy, the Titans’ see the success in their season not only in basketball, but also beyond.

“This always will be a cherish in my heart,” Toolson said. “Obviously we had bigger goals, but it’s a successful season with all the memories made and growing as a basketball player and as a person.”

—

PUYALLUP 61, UNION 48

PUYALLUP — Cobi Campbell 15, Jacob Holcomb 8, Kendell Munson 15, Jaeden Ingram 8, Dylan Rhoades 4, Marquel Thomas 0, Gibson Hooper 0, Charlie Schoos 0, Luke Holcomb 5, Zane Foster 2, Ethan Lockard 0, LJ Lemalu 0. Totals 18 (4) 21-28 61.

UNION — Brad Lackey 5, Houston Combs 5, Tanner Toolson 18, Alishawuan Taylor 4, Ethan Smith 9, Izaiah Vongnath 0, Ariya Briscoe 3, Josh Reznick 0, Connor Flannigan 0, Mason Hill 2, Ty McCullum 2, Curtis Youngren 0. Totals 19 (6) 4-4 48.

Puyallup 14 14 11 22 – 61

Union 8 8 20 12 – 48

TACOMA — Hala Corral exited Prairie’s locker room underneath the Tacoma Dome grandstands Friday, and her first statement echoed a lot of her players’ thoughts.

“Can you believe it?” the coach said.

For some Falcons, they couldn’t. They couldn’t believe they just won a down-to-the-wire overtime thriller, 67-62, against Kamiakin, especially coming in a 3A state semifinal game.

And for others, they could, as their one game away from achieving their goal. Friday’s win sends Prairie (24-2) to Saturday’s 3A state championship game against Mt. Spokane.

Junior Kendyl Carson had a game-high 23 points and senior guard Cassidy Gardner added 21, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1 minute, 10 seconds left in overtime to give the Falcons the lead for good.

Her heart still racing, Gardner was nearly speechless postgame finding the words to explain what playing for a state title means for her and her teammates.

“We finally worked for this opportunity,” she said, “and now it’s ours to go get.”

Prairie is no stranger to this stage. The program now has 13 state championship game appearances and looking for title No. 7 at 3 p.m. Saturday. 

But this stage — winning inside the Tacoma Dome — is relatively new to these Falcons. They won their first game at the dome in four years in Thursday’s quarterfinal win over Edmonds-Woodway behind 11 3-pointers.

On Friday, No. 4 Kamiakin gave Prairie all it could handle.

Like a heavyweight battle, Prairie and Kamiakin battled throughout all 32 minutes and the 4-minute extra session. Neither team led by more than four in the second half, and the final 90 seconds of regulation featured two ties and three lead changes.

Carson’s basket off the glass gave Prairie a 54-52 lead with 33 seconds left in regulation, but Kamiakin responded with Butler-bound Oumou Toure’s putback with inside 6 seconds left. The teams traded field goals each of their final three possessions of regulation.

Prairie’s final-possession heave was no good.

In overtime, the back-and-forth battle didn’t let up. The teams traded leads five times — Carson hitting 1 of 2 free throws, in addition to a combined three 3-pointers the final 2 minutes.

One of them was Gardner’s go-ahead with 1:10 remaining. That gave Prairie the lead for good at 63-61. From there, Gardner and Brooke Walling (14 points) went 4 of 4 at the line.

Carson had perhaps her best game of her young Prairie career Friday. She had 11 of her 23 points after halftime, shooting 11 for 17 for the game. She also had 13 rebounds.

The junior said she never dreamt of playing on a stage like the Tacoma Dome as a player growing up in Juneau, Alaska, arriving into Prairie’s program last year. But she knows the history and tradition.

This season is her first on varsity for the all-league guard.

“I live for these moments,” Carson said. “The bright lights, and all the people. … We wanted to go out and play our game and win it for each other. I know the seniors have been thinking about it since their freshman year; they’ve been dreaming about this for three years now, and I want to help and contribute to them.

“And now, for a state title.”

—

PRAIRIE 67, KAMIAKIN 62 (OT)

KAMIAKIN — Symone Brown 8, Regan Clark 2, Rylie Clark 14, Alexa Hazel 20, Oumou Toure 18, Salee Westermeyer 0. Totals 26 (7) 3-6 62.

PRAIRIE — Allison Corral 3, Kendyl Carson 23, Brooke Walling 14, Mallory Williams 2, Hannah Clouse 0, Meri Dunford 4, Cassidy Gardner 21, Haley Reed 0. Totals 25 (7) 10-14 67.

Kamiakin 15 15 8 16 8 – 62

Prairie 13 16 8 17 13 – 67

YAKIMA – It was a finish fit for royalty.

King’s Way Christian beat King’s 43-42 to reach its first 1A boys basketball state championship game on Friday at the SunDome.

With both teams named the Knights, the semifinal game called for a hero.

That hero was Khalfani Cason.

One day after suffering a dislocated shoulder, Khalfani Cason made a driving lay-in with 4.6 seconds left for the winning basket.

Seattle-based King’s, which missed two free throws prior to Cason’s basket, had a contested lay-in partially blocked at the buzzer.

In the semifinals for the second time in four years, No. 11 King’s Way (19-8) is headed to its first state championship game at 5 p.m. Saturday against  No. 3 Zillah.

Cason scored 20 points after playing less than one quarter in Thursday’s quarterfinal win over Seattle Academy.

After the game, Cason broke down in tears when asked about his game-winner.

After composing himself a minute later, the senior said it came down to desire.

“Nobody has more heart than us,” Cason said, pounding his chest.

Wearing a shoulder brace and unable to lift his elbow above his shoulder, Cason was unsure Friday morning if he could play.

“I asked God for one more chance for my shoulder,” he said. “I was just thinking about how I can get back and support my team. This is bigger than me.”

Cason saw a trainer who told him he wouldn’t damage his shoulder further if he played. It came down to whether he could handle the pain.

“I think all the adrenaline overcame the pain,” he said.

King’s has five players between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-7 while King’s Way’s tallest is 6-foot-2.

“I’ve joked with some coaches, if you know of a 6-foot and under league, we could be pretty good,” King’s Way coach Daven Harmeling said. “We had to play this game on our terms. We had to speed them up and we had to be aggressive. I don’t know if I’d want a seven-game series with them, but it worked for one night.”

King’s Way was smaller, but more scrappy. The Knights forced quick shots and turnovers by a team that had beaten No. 1 Lynden Christian 73-50 the prior night.

In the first half, No. 10 King’s made just one of 22 shots from the field – Nine of its 11 first-half points came from the foul line. King’s Way forced 12 turnovers, including six steals.

But King’s got hot in the second half, outscoring King’s Way 21-12 in the third quarter. Six-foot-6 freshman Tyler Lindhardt scored 13 of his 22 points in the third.

King’s took its first lead since the first quarter at 39-37 with 2:42 to play.

But Bryce Dodge and Bryson Metz scored key baskets for King’s Way in the final two minutes, setting the stage for Cason’s heroics.

“I told the guys after the game, regardless of whether our shot went in or their shot went in, I loved them,” Harmeling said. “The outcome wouldn’t change how I feel about them. But to be honest, right now my head is kind of spinning because we’re such underdogs in this.”

Now King’s Way is hoping to be an underdog that ends up on the state throne.

“It was a hard-fought game,” said Bryson Metz, who scored 10 points. “It game down to who wanted it more in the fourth quarter.”

Staff writer Andy Buhler contributed to this report

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 43, KING’S 42

KING’S (21-6) –Shane McGaughey-Fick 2, Hunter Reeves 6, Davis Campbell 0, Jordan Hansen 0, Will Pohland 0, Nate Kleppe 5, Tyler Durbin 0, Eyon Zevenbergen 7, Luke Bobin 0, Tyler Linhardt 22. Totals 12 (1) 17-31 42.

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN (19-8) – Khalfani Cason 20, Kobi Cason 0, Gage Koenders 6, Kafentse Cason 0, Bryce Dodge 2, Justin Frahm 2, Brady Metz 3, Bailey Meek  0, Bryson Metz 10. Totals 17 (6) 3-6 43.

King’s Way 10 11 12 10—43
King’s 5 6 21 10—42

YAKIMA – A season of firsts for the Washougal girls basketball team will include at least one more – a spot in the state championship game.

The No. 7 Panthers beat No. 3 Clarkston 53-45 on Friday to advance to the 2A state final at the SunDome.

Though Washougal (22-4) is at the state tournament for the fourth straight year, the Panthers have never made it this far.

But with another stout defensive performance and solid play by star senior Beyonce Bea, Washougal is in the title game against No. 2 East Valley of Spokane at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Bea had 21 points and 15 rebounds, the kind of MVP performance in a big game capable by the three-time 2A Greater St. Helens League MVP.

“She’s the best player in the state,” said Washougal coach Britney Knotts. “She pushes her team and pushes herself harder than anybody else on the floor. With her speed and her strength, there’s not many who can match her.”

With a chance to end her senior year in a championship game, Bea said she felt Friday was a game for her to take charge.

“I know it’s my role to step up as a leader as a senior with the most experience in this position,” Bea said. “I wanted to do what I could to help us get the win.”

The title game is a rematch of the regional round of the state tournament, which saw Washougal beat East Valley 52-45 in Spokane on Feb. 23.

“It’s just a new challenge,” Knotts said. “In league you play teams twice, sometimes three times in districts. No matter what, we have to look at it as a challenge. They’ll make changes. We’ll make changes. We’ll just see who comes out on top.”

Washougal hasn’t lost since Dec. 22 at a tournament in Las Vegas, a span of 17 games.

Washougal hasn’t allowed more than 50 points since Jan. 11 against Hockinson, a span of 13 games. Friday, the Panthers held Clarkston (24-3) to 31 percent from the field.

“This year we have the best defensive team of my four years at Washougal,” Bea said. “It’s really awesome because defense wins games, ultimately. It’s what we preach. It’s what we work on.”

Now Bea and the Panthers will have a chance for one more program first – a state championship.

“I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity,” Bea said. “Senior year, it’s my last time to do this. So I’m just thankful for this opportunity for this team. It’s a dream come true.”

WASHOUGAL 53, CLARKSTON 45

CLARKSTON (24-3) – Ashlyn Wallace 25, Michala Jackson 7, AJ Sobotta 4, Lauren Johnson 1, Jalena Henry 3, Maggie Ogden 0, Erika Pickett 3, Samantha Chatfield 2. Totals 17 (5) 6-15 45.

WASHOUGAL (22-4) – Kiara Cross 0, Jaiden Bea 11, Savea Mansfield 5, Beyonce Bea 21, McKinley Stotts 8, Ashley Gibbons 1, Sammy Mederos 0, Skylar Bea 7, McKenna Jackson 0, Erin Miner 0. Totals 20 (2) 11-18 53.

Clarkston 12 9 8 16—45

Washougal 13 17 10 13—53