Hot Vikings defeat M-P for district title

Published 12:22 am Sunday, February 28, 2010

MILL CREEK — After starting the season 1-4, a district title and a berth at the state tournament were hardly sure things for the Lake Stevens girls basketball team.

But on Saturday night, the surging Vikings won their 17th game in their past 18 tries, and the 60-55 victory over Marysville-Pilchuck at Jackson High School was good enough for the 4A District 1 championship.

Lake Stevens, which boosted its season record to 18-5, had clinched a berth for the upcoming state tournament at the Tacoma Dome earlier in the district tourney.

Saturday’s win was another highlight in a remarkable turnabout season for the Vikings, who had losses against Jackson, Stanwood, Monroe and Marysville-Pilchuck in the season’s first two weeks.

“We just didn’t get off to a solid start,” said Lake Stevens coach Randall Edens. “It was a chemistry thing until we figured each other out a little bit more.”

Since then Lake Stevens has lost just once, and the Vikings rolled through the district tournament with three straight victories.

“It just seems like they surprise me a little bit more, a little bit more,” Edens said. The win against Marysville-Pilchuck, he added, “kind of epitomizes what we’re capable of doing. And we knew we could do it.

“It’s been a fun ride, that’s for sure,” he said with a grin.

Saturday’s game was a back-and-forth tussle with nine ties and 14 lead changes. The Tomahawks had a big lead of six points in the early minutes, and Lake Stevens built its largest margin of 11 points midway through the fourth quarter.

But the Tomahawks still had some fight. From that 11-point deficit, they quickly wrapped a pair of 3-pointers around a layin to pull within 52-49 with just under two minutes remaining.

After a Lake Stevens turnover, Marysville-Pilchuck had a chance to tie the score with a 3-pointer, but instead lost the ball with an errant pass.

The Tomahawks did drop in two late 3-pointers, but Lake Stevens was able to protect its lead with eight free throws out of nine attempts in the game’s final 1:15. Two free throws by guard Corinne Burke with five seconds left clinched the win for the Vikings.

“I’m very proud of them,” Edens said before hurrying off to help cut down the net. “What a special time.”

Burke had 11 points for Lake Stevens, as did guard Stephanie Schumacher and guard Brooke Pahukoa. Forward Kayla Bostwick chipped in 10 rebounds.

This was the third meeting of the season between the teams and they split the first two, each winning on the other’s homecourt. Marysville-Pilchuck won a Dec. 16 game, 57-51, and Lake Stevens claimed the rematch on Jan. 27, 62-53.

As the district runner-up, Marysville-Pilchuck also advances to the state tournament, which begins Wednesday and continues through Saturday at the Tacoma Dome.

Guard Andi Adams had 13 points for the Tomahawks to lead all scorers. Forward Dacia Heckendorf added 11 points.

At Jackson H.S.

Lake Stevens12151518—60

Marysville-Pilchuck1413919—55

Lake Stevens—Goddard 3, Peterson 9, Bostwick 6 , Warbis 3, Corinne Burke 11, Schumacher 11, Molstre 6, Brooke Pahukoa 11. Marysville-Pilchuck—Oden 2, Lentz 5, Martinis 6, Adams 13, Peterson 5, Watson 6, Heckendorf 11, Enberg 7. 3-point goals—Peterson 1, Goddard 1, Schumacher 3, Corinne Burke 1, Adams 2, Martinis 1, Lentz 2. Records—Lake Stevens is 18-5. Marysville-Pilchuck is 17-6.