Edmonds-Woodway’s Clark, Warriors seek second straight title

EDMONDS — For a high school athlete, there is not much better than winning a state championship.

Except, perhaps, to win two state championships.

For senior Gabby Clark and her Edmonds-Woodway teammates, this weekend is the chance to repeat last season’s magical run to the Class 3A state title. The Warriors have advanced through the regular season, the district playoffs and the first two rounds of the state playoffs to reach Friday night’s semifinal showdown with undefeated Seattle Prep.

Though Seattle Prep’s 20-0-1 record is rather daunting, the Warriors are no less formidable. Edmonds-Woodway dropped its season opener against Mercer Island, but has since gone unbeaten. And by winning playoff games last week against Eastside Catholic (3-0) and Central Kitsap (2-1), the Warriors not only improved their season mark to 18-1-2, but moved to the threshold of a second straight title.

And that prospect makes Clark smile.

To win another championship, she said, “would be just amazing.” Winning a year ago, she added, “was one of the best moments of my life.”

The Warriors have a lot of contributors this season, “but Gabby right now is kind of the focal point,” said coach Bill LeCompte. “She’s become a go-to person. Not necessarily for scoring, but definitely a go-to person for when things aren’t right (because) she’s got something positive to say to build her team back up.”

And when things are going right, “she’s usually in the middle of it,” he added.

Clark was a first-team All-Western Conference 3A South pick a year ago as a midfielder. She started this season again at midfield — albeit “an attacking mid,” she said — but in recent games has moved up to a forward position. She gets her share of goals, but also helps create plenty of chances for her teammates.

“Gabby is such a light-hearted person, but yet she dies for everybody on the field,” LeCompte said. “And everybody sees that day in and day out. That’s a big reason she’s had success. She’s just working as hard as she possibly can because she wants her friends to succeed, too.”

Clark is one of three co-captains for the Warriors — senior defender Ashleigh Fonsen and junior defender Kia Mackey are the others — and the trio is “respected by their peers for different things, which is what you need,” LeCompte said. “You need people who are being sought after and followed because of the way they play and for the approach they have because of the quality individuals that they are. And that’s the unique thing about the three captains we have.”

For Clark and the other Warriors, this weekend will cap a season that began with great hope, but also great uncertainty. Edmonds-Woodway had several new players, making it difficult for anyone to know just how good the team would be.

“There was so much doubt before the season about us being in it again because of how many players we lost and who we lost,” Clark acknowledged. And after the Mercer Island defeat, “I was a little worried and maybe curious to see how it was going to turn out. But we were a completely new team and we needed to learn how to play together. It takes time, but luckily it only took one game and then we started connecting.

“What I love is that we’re so team oriented. When we’re on the field together, it’s always about working with each other. No one out there is playing by themselves. Everyone is playing together, and we’re always looking for each other and looking to work with each other.”

And in a season that could turn out to be as magical as a year ago, “I think everyone’s proven that with all our hard work and the talent on the team that we could get back to the state tournament,” she said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

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

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck 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)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (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.