SNOHOMISH — Ken Roberts doesn’t always believe in technology.
But he believes in Madeline Smith.
The Snohomish head coach utilized his senior post, who finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, to help the Panthers pull away in a 47-37 victory over Monroe Monday night at Snohomish High School after some technical difficulties with the scoreboard delayed the game on several occasions — including one break that lasted more than 10 minutes.
The victory clinched a Wesco 4A title for the Panthers.
“I don’t know. All this technology they have now they have wireless stuff and it just — whatever,” Roberts said. “It was hard for either team to get a flow in that first quarter, because of the clock problems. … Early we shot too quick and had some things that weren’t working. We just simplified things in the second half. We just simplified and played through Maddie in the post.”
Monroe head coach Ashley Tuiasosopo said the early delays didn’t ultimately decide the game.
But it made for a unique start to the contest.
“I can’t control that. I just try to tell the girls you can’t worry about things you can’t control and technology is one of those things where you just never know,” Tuiasosopo said. “I’m sure some people might say it screwed things up but do I think it’s why we lost the game? No. It just kind of made for an interesting start for the game.”
Snohomish outscored Monroe 19-7 in the third quarter to build up a 14-point lead going into the final period. The Bearcats battled back with senior Hannah Drivstuen making three 3-pointers in the quarter, including one with 2:10 left in the game that cut the Panthers’ lead to 43-36.
But the Snohomish defense clamped down late and Smith was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the fourth as the Panthers held off a late Monroe attack for the second time this season.
“Snohomish is a great team,” Tuiasosopo said. “They’re a tough team to play with those two bigs down there. The girls are always kind of thinking about those. … They’re just a challenging team to play.”
Snohomish jumped out to a 17-point lead in the teams’ first matchup before hanging on to defeat Monroe 45-42 on Jan. 15. Tuiasosopo and the Bearcats were looking to get off to a better start this time around.
“We just wanted to get off to a better start and I’m glad we did,” Tuiasosopo said. “Snohomish is just a tough team to play.”
Along with Smith, fellow senior Madison Pollock had 16 points for Snohomish (14-0 league, 17-3 overall), which has won 17 consecutive games after losing three straight to start the season. The Panthers also finished with nine blocked shots, including three from the 6-foot-1 Smith, a Montana State commit.
“This team blocks a lot of shots,” Roberts said. “We kind of run a defense to filter people to our bigs and they’re able to get up and change shots or block shots.”
Drivstuen led Monroe (12-2, 15-15) with nine points — all coming in the final quarter.
“Hannah stepped up for us in the end,” Tuiasosopo said. “She was just in the right spots. Her teammates gave her great passes. … I’m glad she hit them because it helped us get back in the game.”
At Snohomish H.S.
Monroe79714—37
Snohomish8101910—47
Monroe—Kat Ragusa 0, Corrina Roppo 0, Kittra Evenson 0, Jadynn Alexander 8, Emily Donnelly 6, Katie Piland 5, Abby Hunt 3, Hannah Drivstuen 9, Monique Fierke 6. Snohomish—Katie Brandvold 6, Maya DuChesne 2, Emily Preach 0, Shaylee Harwood 4, Madison Pollock 16, Madeline Smith 18, Ellie Flitsch 1. Records—Monroe 12-2 league, 15-5 overall. Snohomish 14-0, 17-3.
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