Thursday’s Quarterfinals
Shorecrest vs. Washougal, 9 a.m.
East Valley (Spokane) vs. Anacortes, 10:30 a.m.
Mark Morris vs. Ellensburg, 12:15 p.m.
Lynden vs. Black Hills, 2 p.m.
The Favorite
East Valley (Spokane). There are several contenders at this year’s state tournament, including third-ranked Lynden, No. 4 Ellensburg and No. 8 Black Hills. However, the top dog is East Valley of Spokane. The Knights finished first in the final Associated Press 2A poll and have averaged 62 points per contest. On defense, Central Valley allows just 41 points per game.
The Dark Horse
Shorecrest. The Scots play in the Wesco 3A/2A South, a league that has enjoyed quite a bit of success this postseason. Lynnwood and Edmonds-Woodway, who play with Shorecrest in the Wesco South, are both in the Class 3A quarterfinals and the Scots beat the latter in the regular season. Shorecrest also played tough against Arlington, another 3A contender. After a close loss to Lynden in the district tournament, Shorecrest rebounded to knock off No. 2 Burlington-Edison and is coming off a big 59-24 victory over Franklin Pierce in regionals.
Did you know?
The past three 2A state championship games have featured Mark Morris and W.F. West, with Mark Morris 2-1 in those contests. Mark Morris (15-8) is back in the state quarterfinals this year but if the Monarchs return to the title game this season they will face a new opponent, either Shorecrest, Washougal, East Valley (Spokane) or Anacortes.
Player to watch
Elisa Kooiman, guard, Lynden. Kooiman, a junior, leads fourth-ranked Lynden in scoring at 18.5 points per game. The 5-foot-11 guard is the only player to average double digits on a Lions team that scores 54 points per contest and has won seven of its past eight games.
Game we want to see
Shorecrest vs. Lynden in the state title game. Two teams from District 1 vying for a championship in the Scots’ second — and final — year in 2A. The Scots and Lions, who met in the district tournament on Feb. 15 with Lynden winning 52-45, could also meet in the third/fifth-place game or square off in the fourth/sixth game.
Prediction
East Valley tops Ellensburg in the 2A title game. Shorecrest rebounds to defeat Lynden and take third place.
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