Stanwood boys work over Hawks, advance to district title game

MILL CREEK — Stanwood head coach Zach Ward told his senior point guard to “go to work.”

Josh Thayer punched his time card.

Thayer scored 17 of his game-high 32 points in the fourth quarter to help the Spartans pull away from Mountlake Terrace 66-52 in a 3A District 1 semifinal game Friday night at Jackson High School. The victory clinched a state berth for Stanwood.

“I just told him, ‘You keep going to work bud,’” Stanwood head coach Zach Ward said. “That was what I told him at one timeout, was ‘go to work.’ That’s the great thing about our team, there’s so much unselfishness. The other guys are like, ‘Yeah, go to work.’”

Thayer had 26 points in the second half as Stanwood made a once-close game an easy victory and advanced to next Friday’s district championship game against Shorecrest. The senior guard was making 3-pointers and driving into the lane against much taller defenders, with seemingly everything he threw up falling through the net.

“That’s called ‘The Zone,’” Ward said. “He was there. He visited ‘The Zone.’ That was special.”

After getting encouragement from his coach during a timeout, Thayer said he was happy to help his team in whatever way he could.

“I was just feeling it. Everything was feeling good,” Thayer said. “I felt like I could do a lot of things that I wanted to. I was just (going with) whatever’s open.”

Thayer, noted as one of the best defenders in the league, also had five rebounds and five steals, prompting this question: Is Josh Thayer the only person who can stop Josh Thayer?

“I think so,” Thayer said laughing. “I know what moves I’ve got in the bank. I think I’d be able to guard myself.”

Mountlake Terrace, the No. 2 seed out of the Wesco 3A South, began the game with a 10-0 run. While Stanwood struggled to get its first points, the Hawks made three 3-pointers in the first quarter.

Stanwood finally got going toward the end of the first period. The Spartans, who edged the Hawks 63-61 when the teams played on Jan. 17, closed the gap to 15-14 by the close of the first quarter. The Spartans took the lead for good on a Thayer jump shot with 7:12 to go in the second quarter and built a 28-21 halftime lead.

By the third quarter, Thayer was on fire and the Spartans looked to be in good shape.

“It was scary, looking at the scoreboard, seeing 10-0 and kind of cringing a bit,” Thayer said of his team’s early deficit. “But we went to the timeout and figured it out.”

Drew Stang, who had a triple-double in the Spartans’ first-round win against Shorewood, scored 12 points and fellow senior Ian Zipp added 10 for Stanwood, which improved to 22-0 this season.

Zipp also contributed on the defensive end, guarding 6-foot-6 Hawks post Loren Lacasse. Zipp, a wing, stands at 5-feet-11.

“I think Ian likes that. He wants that,” Ward said. “He said, ‘I can get him. I can keep him off the boards.’”

Zipp finished with seven rebounds to Lacasse’s six.

Senior post Greg Bowman led Mountlake Terrace (15-7 overall) with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Lacasse added 15 for the Hawks, who will host Everett in a loser-out district game on Tuesday.

“They’re good. They have two of the best post players in the league,” Ward said of Bowman and Lacasse. “I think ours is right there with them. They run good stuff. And they’re good defensively.”

The victory gives Stanwood a chance to win its second-straight district title when it faces the Scots. A repeat district championship has been a goal the Spartans have had since the beginning of the season.

“That’s the goal right now,” Ward said. “Shorecrest looks really good. They’re a lot better since the first time we’ve played them. They’re going to be geared up and ready to win that championship Friday night.

“There’s nothing like cutting down nets. And those go in the trophy case forever. We want it.”

Shorecrest has won 10 consecutive games since losing 68-51 to Stanwood on Jan. 10.

Regardless of the outcome of next Friday’s game, both the Spartans and Scots already have clinched spots in the regional round of the 3A state tournament.

“The biggest thing is we just bought ourselves two more weeks of hoops, and that’s big,” Ward said. “We’re guaranteed it. The doors are going to be open, the sunlight’s coming in and we’re still going to be playing basketball.”

At Jackson H.S.

Mountlake Terrace 15 6 12 19 – 52

Stanwood 14 14 16 22 – 66

Mountlake Terrace—Isaiah Green 3, Yonnas Tewolde 0, Prescott Day 0, Gabe Altenberger 3, Matthew Moisant 0, Greg Bowman 21, Derek Anyimah 6, Loren Lacasse 15, Yoel Tekle 4. Stanwood—AJ Martinka 0, Ian Zipp 10, Anthony Engelhart 0, Josh Thayer 32, Drew Wright 0, Carlton McDonald 0, Brady Garcea 5, Derek Ross 0, Isaac Olson 0, Karsten Chaplik 7, Drew Stang 12, Skout Roberson 0. 3-point goals—Green 1, Altenberger 1, Bowman 1, Anyimah 1, Lacasse 3, Thayer 3. Records—Mountlake Terrace 15-7 overall. Stanwood 22-0.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

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.

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.

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.