Lake Stevens girls basketball team loses to Central Valley

TACOMA — A couple of months ago, looking ahead to his team’s January matchup with Central Valley, Lake Stevens girls basketball coach Randy Edens wasn’t sure his team would be able to be competitive against the Bears.

In fact, he considered trying to get out of the game completely.

“I thought it might be more than we could chew,” Edens said. “I thought we might have to change our opponent.”

But the Vikings proved his coach wrong with their stellar early-season play, and they went into their Saturday game against Central Valley in an Assist for Life Fight Cancer Basketball Classic game at Wilson High School with a positive mindset.

Lake Stevens knows that if it’s going to reach its goals this season, playing games against top-tier teams like the Bears will serve as a terrific litmus test.

“This is a great barometer for us,” Edens said after after his team’s 71-50 defeat. “We needed to play a game like this. You can see (teams like Central Valley) on film, but it’s different until you actually live through it. We still have a ways to go, and that’s why we do things like this.

“It’s good to live and learn. This shows us that we have things to work on, and hopefully we will be better as a result.”

Lake Stevens (11-2 overall) entered the game as the No. 8 team in the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Ratings Percentage Index 4A rankings, while Central Valley (13-0) was No. 3.

The Vikings are the third team in the current 4A RPI top 10 that the Bears have defeated by 17 points or more this season, having previously vanquished No. 5 Woodinville 67-50 and No. 7 Bellarmine Prep 67-31. Central Valley’s average margin of victory entering Saturday’s contest was 37.7 points per game.

The Bears are led by twin sisters Lexi Hull and Lacie Hall, both committed to continue their basketball careers at Stanford. Lexie Hull scored a game-high 25 points Saturday.

Kylee Griffen scored 18 points and Raigan Reed scored 15 for the Vikings, who fell behind 25-4 after the first quarter.

Reed, a sophomore guard, has been a key player for Lake Stevens this season, alleviating pressure from Griffen.

“Her biggest challenge early on was that she was too much of a facilitator, and we still want her to do that, but at the same time we want her to carry some of the (scoring) load, too,” Edens said. “She understands she’s got the green light when necessary. She’s gotten better.”

Lake Stevens’ only loss before Saturday came to Seattle Prep, ranked sixth in the 3A RPI.

“We’ve done a better job (defensively) than expected,” Edens said. “We’ve played with great energy. This year has been much different. We’ve been prepared and we’ve played hard, and if we make mistakes, we’re able to adjust.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

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.