BOTHELL — With the score locked at 41 with just over three minutes remaining in the game, Saturday’s 3A District Semifinal matchup between Ferndale and Glacier Peak looked like it could go either way.
But a Samantha Fatkin 3-pointer hit nothing but net, sparking an 11-3 GP run as the Grizzlies went on the beat the Golden Eagles 55-43 to advance to next Saturday’s district championship game and punch their ticket to state.
“To keep winning and keep our positive attitude and playing hard, those are all really big things,” Glacier Peak head coach Brian Hill. “For us to be able to play in the district championship game means a lot to us.”
Sophomore Natalie Rasmussen knocked down 3-of-4 free throws in the game’s final minute to seal the win for Glacier Peak. She finished with 11 points for the Grizzlies off the bench.
Senior Nicole Fausey scored consecutive baskets to begin the game as the Grizzlies opened with a 10-2 run. After a timeout, the Golden Eagles used a full-court press to hold the Grizzlies scoreless for the remainder of the quarter before taking a 22-19 lead into the half.
Glacier Peak head coach Brian Hill made minor adjustments to his press break at the half, and combated it with a full-court press of his own, forcing the Golden Eagles into 17 turnovers.
“We were being a little to flat footed for a while, still playing too conservative” Hill said. “ So I called that timeout and I said ‘Well, we’re just going to run and gun and if we don’t run a set offense for the rest of the game, so be it’.”
Fausey and junior Kianna Garner led a balanced scoring attack for the Grizzlies, scoring 12 points apiece. Senior Hannah Carlson scored a game-high 15 points to lead the Golden Eagles.
The Grizzlies were without junior guard Sadie Mensing, who sat out due to a violation of school code, according to Hill. Without Mensing the Grizzlies turned it over 24 times on the night.
“Our underclassmen did a fantastic job,” Hill said of his team’s efforts. “Our posts did a good job of keeping the ball alive, it was a great team win.”
At Lynnwood H.S.
Ferndale 5 17 11 10 — 43
Glacier Peak 10 9 12 24 — 55
Ferndale—Shelby Slaughter 2, Abby Reid 0, Taryn Knutson 8, Camarillo 2, Hannah Carlson 15, Brooke Benson 6, Linsey Honeycutt 10. Glacier Peak—Taylor Baird 9, Natalie Rasmussen 11, Kaela Collins 0, Sarah Smith 2, Sawyer Manning 2, Kianna Garner 12, Sam Fatkin 7, Paisley Johnson 0, Nicole Fausey 12. 3-point goals—Benson 2, Rasmussen 2, Fatkin. Records—Ferndale 17-5 overall. Glacier Peak 20-2.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
