Defense leads Monroe girls to win over Everett

MONROE — At the offensive end, Monroe team was sometimes good, sometimes not so good against visiting Everett on Wednesday night.

But defensively the Bearcats were pretty good at the start and then they just kept getting better in a 42-33 non-conference girls basketball victory over the previously unbeaten Seagulls.

Trailing 21-15 midway through the second quarter, Monroe used a pesky, persistent defense to pull ahead and then pull away. The Bearcats allowed Everett seven field goals in the first 11/2 quarters, but just one in the next 11/2 quarters.

The Seagulls had three field goals in the fourth period, giving them just four for the game’s final 20 minutes.

“I thought our effort was fantastic defensively,” Monroe coach Matt Chalfant said. “Our No. 1 goal was to come out and give a fantastic (defensive) effort and I think we accomplished that.”

“I told the girls before the game this would be the toughest defense we’ve faced so far,” Seagulls coach John Low said.

The teams traded leads in the game’s early minutes, but Everett used a 9-0 second-quarter scoring burst to open up a six-point lead. But at that point the Bearcats tightened their defense, and they ended up forcing Everett into a series of turnovers and difficult shots.

“I’m a big effort guy and I preach effort every day in practice,” Chalfant said. “And defense is one of those things where if you give great effort, you’re going to get stops.

“We spend 30 to 45 minutes every day on defense at practice. It’s at the beginning of our practice, too, so it’s our No. 1 goal.”

Monroe, which led 24-23 at halftime, swung the game by outscoring the Seagulls 15-4 in the third quarter. The Bearcats did it mostly with free throws, converting nine of 13 chances at the stripe in that period.

“Offensively we were struggling a little bit on some of our sets, but that’s what practice is for,” Chalfant said. “Down the stretch in the fourth quarter we only scored three points, but that’s something that can be fixed in practice.”

Trailing 39-27 heading to the final quarter, Everett never quit. The Seagulls opened the period with two quick field goals to draw within eight points, and had a one-and-one chance at the free throw line moments later that could have cut the deficit to six.

But the first free throw missed and Everett went scoreless for the next four minutes. A late layin by junior guard Sidney Rielly did trim the lead to six, but the Bearcats scored three times from the free throw line in the last minute to raise the final margin back to nine.

“I thought we played hard,” Low said. “I knew they were a good team, so I knew it was going to be a tough battle. I told the girls after the game that I was disappointed in the outcome, but not disappointed in the effort.”

Guards Tiffany Ohlsen and Breezy Shore led the Bearcats with nine points apiece.

Rielly led all scorers with 16 despite a flu bug that kept her from practicing on Tuesday. “Sidney Rielly is tough. She’s absolutely tough,” Chalfant said. “But I thought the girls did a great job on her, especially (post) Ashley Alexander. She switched on to her (defensively) and gave a fantastic effort.”

Everett post Amber Hagar had 14 rebounds.

Both teams now prepare for the start of Western Conference play. Everett has a bye on Friday and does not start its league schedule until next Wednesday, but Monroe has a tough Wesco opener at Arlington on Friday.

“Any league game is going to be a big game, so I’m not going to hype this one up,” Chalfant said of the early-season showdown with the unbeaten Eagles. “We’re just going to go about our business as we would any game, but we have to understand that Arlington is a fantastic opponent and we have to be prepared.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.