3A STATE TOURNAMENT TEAM CAPSULES AND SCHEDULE

Published 5:15 pm Monday, March 9, 2009

Meadowdale Mavericks

Record: 20-4

Last appearance: 2008 (did not place)

Coach: Chad McGuire (seventh year)

Key players: G Roger O’Neill, 6-4, sr. (17.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg); P Connor Hamlett, 6-7, jr. (13.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg); P Kris Larson, 6-7, sr. (7.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg).

First-round opponent: North Kitsap (18-6), noon Wednesday

Outlook/Coach’s comment: Victorious in its past nine games, Meadowdale hasn’t lost since Jan. 30. Last season the Mavericks went 1-2 at the 3A state tournament in Seattle. Nine seniors graduated from that squad, but returning standouts like O’Neill and Hamlett stepped up.

Asked about his team’s first-round opponent, Meadowdale coach Chad McGuire said, “North Kitsap is a team that depends on two players for the majority of their scoring. They have a 6-8 post and a point guard who are both averaging 18 points a game.”

In 2003 and 2004, when the 3A tourney was in the Tacoma Dome, Meadowdale placed sixth in back-to-back appearances, twice losing to Rainier Beach in the semifinals.

Lynnwood Royals

Record: 14-12

Last appearance: 2006 (did not place)

Coach: Darrell McNeal (first year)

Key players: G/F Aaron Matzen, 6-2, sr. (15.1 ppg); C Simi Fajemisin, 6-9, jr. (10.7 ppg, 15 rpg); F Geoff Meinken, 6-0, sr. (5.0 ppg, 10 rpg)

First-round opponent: Union (18-6), 5 p.m. Wednesday

Outlook/Coach’s comment: Lynnwood’s record won’t intimidate anyone — the only team in the tournament with fewer victories is Rogers of Spokane (12-13) — but the Royals could surprise some people this week, Meadowdale coach Chad McGuire said. Lynnwood post Simi Fajemisin “will be a Division-I basketball player and can go down there and dominate the paint. Also, Matzen is an all-league player that gives them a nice one-two punch.”

In its previous voyage to state (2006), Lynnwood was 0-2. The Royals seek their first state-tourney victory since 1986, when they placed fourth.

“We have improved over the season and especially during the district playoffs,” first-year Lynnwood head coach Darrell McNeal said. “We are excited about the way we are pulling together.”

3A boys tournament

At the Tacoma Dome

Wednesday’s games

Game 1: Shadle Park vs. Franklin, 9 a.m.

Game 2: Seattle Prep vs. Lakes, 10:30 a.m.

Game 3: North Kitsap vs. Meadowdale, noon

Game 4: O’Dea vs. Enumclaw, 2 p.m.

Game 5: Foster vs. Bellevue, 3:30 p.m.

Game 6: Lynnwood vs. Union, 5 p.m.

Game 7: Columbia River vs. Rogers, Spokane, 7 p.m.

Game 8: Rainier Beach vs. Capital, 8:30 p.m.

Meadowdale Mavericks

Record: 19-5

Last appearance: 2008 (fifth)

Coach: Troy Parker (1st year)

Key players: G Julia Fjortoft, 5-9, jr. (9.5 ppg, 4.0 apg); G Gabi Beyer, 5-6, jr. (9.0 ppg, 4.0 apg); F Alexis Nugent, 5-6, sr. (5.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg).

First-round opponent: Auburn Mountainview (15-7), 9 a.m. Wednesday

Outlook/Coach’s comment: Another season, another state-tournament trip for the ultra-consistent Meadowdale girls. This is the Mavericks’ 14th consecutive year at state and their 16th since 1993. Despite missing injured senior leader Hanna Fjortoft and constantly facing a size disadvantage (the team’s starting posts are 5-5 and 5-6), District 1 champ Meadowdale finds ways to win. “We do a good job of getting nightly contributions from everyone on the team,” first-year Mavs coach Troy Parker said.

Teams generally dread getting stuck with the 9 a.m. game, but it’s not a big deal to Parker. “Once the ball is tipped, my experience is that you don’t have a real awareness of the time of day,” he said.

3A girls tournament

At the Tacoma Dome

Wednesday’s games

Game 1: Auburn Mountainview vs. Meadowdale, 9 a.m.

Game 2: Franklin vs. Enumclaw, 10:30 a.m.

Game 3: Hanford vs. Kennedy, noon

Game 4: Hazen vs. Lakeside, 2 p.m.

Game 5: Mercer Island vs. Prairie, 3:30 p.m.

Game 6: Ferndale vs. Shadle Park, 5 p.m.

Game 7: Seattle Prep vs. White River, 7 p.m.

Game 8: Yelm vs. Holy Names, 8:30 p.m.