3A STATE TOURNAMENT NOTEBOOK
Published 9:48 pm Thursday, March 12, 2009
TACOMA — The 2008-09 Lynnwood boys basketball team featured 11 seniors on its 12-man roster. Only one other team in the 16-squad 3A tournament had more seniors. (According to the tourney program, all 12 North Kitsap players are seniors).
Darrell McNeal, Lynnwood’s first-year head coach, said he will miss every senior. But guard/forward Aaron Matzen, a three-year varsity team contributor, will be most difficult to replace.
The 6-foot-2 Matzen was Lynnwood’s leading scorer this season. In two games at state, he averaged 19 points and 6.5 rebounds. He shot 80 percent (8-for-10) at the foul line.
“Aaron’s been our leader on the floor,” McNeal said. “He’s been our go-to-guy when (junior post Simi Fajemisin, Lynnwood’s No. 2 scorer) hasn’t been around or in foul trouble.”
McNeal praised Matzen’s heart, pride and passion. “He’s been huge.”
Family ties
Aaron Matzen’s brothers, Chris Matzen and Drew Matzen, both played basketball for Lynnwood High. Chris was on the Royals’ previous state-tournament team, which played in Tacoma in 2006. That was Lynnwood’s first state appearance in 20 years.
Drew Matzen, a 6-foot-4 forward, played at Seattle Pacific University. The Matzen boys’ dad, Steve Matzen, played for legendary coach Marv Harshman at the University of Washington.
Boost from the bench
It can be difficult for a non-starter to make an impact and truly get into the flow of a basketball game. But Michaela ONeill made it look easy Thursday. ONeill, a 5-foot-7 sophomore guard, had a quiet first half in the Meadowdale girls hoops teams 3A quarterfinal game versus Enumclaw: zero shot attempts, one defensive rebound and a turnover in 5 minutes, 30 seconds on the court.
But in the second half, ONeill provided a key spark that helped Meadowdale surge to a 45-37 triumph. She scored six points (on 3 of 6 shooting from the field) and grabbed two rebounds. ONeill also tallied an assist and a steal.
I just want go out and play. Its intense, said ONeill, but Ive got to step up. I had fun.
Pre-game scare for Meadowdale center
Anna Molitor, a Meadowdale reserve post, rolled her ankle during warmups before the Enumclaw game. The 6-foot-1 senior center appeared to be in significant pain. But Meadowdales athletic trainer, Chris Murphy, checked the ankle and got Molitor ready to play, Meadowdale coach Troy Parker said. Molitor played about 11 minutes, finishing with two points, one rebound and one block.
