Zac Hereth

Lynnwood starter Jace Hampson delivers a pitch during a game against Lake Stevens on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Prep baseball preview: 5 things to watch this season

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

 

Lakewood High School.

Lakewood hires Adam McShane as new head football coach

The Blaine High School graduate takes over for longtime Cougars coach Dan Teeter who stepped away after this past season.

 

Jackson’s Sylas Williams (5) shoots the ball during a game between Lake Stevens and Jackson at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. The Jackson Timberwolves won, 87-69. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Locals selected for all-state basketball games

Four boys and four girls are set to compete in games this Saturday.

 

Lake Washington’s Ava Uusitalo comes down with a rebound against Arlington in the 3A semifinal on Friday, March 3, 2023, at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Arlington girls’ title dreams dashed by Lake Washington

The Eagles can’t hold off the Kang’s second-half surge and fall 70-64 in the semifinals; Arlington will face Mead for third place Saturday.

Lake Washington’s Ava Uusitalo comes down with a rebound against Arlington in the 3A semifinal on Friday, March 3, 2023, at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Arlington’s Samara Morrow takes the ball down the court during the 3A quarterfinal game against Meadowdale on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Arlington girls down Wesco-foe Meadowdale, reach semifinals

The Eagles clamp down on defense to win 61-43 and will face No. 3 Lake Washington Friday with a berth in the 3A title game on the line.

Arlington’s Samara Morrow takes the ball down the court during the 3A quarterfinal game against Meadowdale on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stanwood’s Ellalee Wortham drives to the hoop during the 3A quarterfinal game against Mead on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Stanwood girls bounced in 3A quarterfinals by Mead

The Spartans can’t overcome a 17-4 Panthers run in the third quarter of a 62-54 loss.

Stanwood’s Ellalee Wortham drives to the hoop during the 3A quarterfinal game against Mead on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mariner’s Jailin Johnson (2) fights to shoot the ball during a 3A boys game in the Hardwood Classic between Gonzaga Prep and Mariner at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The Marauders fell, 79-69. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Mariner boys can’t overcome slow start in loss to Gonzaga Prep

The Marauders fall behind early and suffer a season-ending 79-69 loss to the Bullpups in the 4A state round of 12.

Mariner’s Jailin Johnson (2) fights to shoot the ball during a 3A boys game in the Hardwood Classic between Gonzaga Prep and Mariner at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The Marauders fell, 79-69. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Snohomish's Sara Rodgers, left, heads the ball with Everett’s Brittney Lemke Tuesday evening in Everett, Washington on September 13, 2022. The Panthers defeated the Eagles 3-1. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Prep notebook: Locals named to all-state girls soccer teams

Plus, Granite Falls and Sultan winter athletes honored by Emerald Sound Conference, and Lake Stevens football coaches recognized.

Snohomish's Sara Rodgers, left, heads the ball with Everett’s Brittney Lemke Tuesday evening in Everett, Washington on September 13, 2022. The Panthers defeated the Eagles 3-1. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Stanwood players cheer during a 3A girls game in the Hardwood Classic between Lynnwood and Stanwood at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Stanwood won, 74-69. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Stanwood players cheer during a 3A girls game in the Hardwood Classic between Lynnwood and Stanwood at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Stanwood won, 74-69. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
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Wesco 3A proving to be one of best girls hoops leagues around

Nearly half of the 12 3A girls teams remaining in the state tournament hail from Wesco.

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Arlington’s Leyton Martin (23) shoots the ball during a game between the Arlington Eagles and Walla Walla Blue Devils at Arlington High School in Arlington, Washington on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023. Arlington won, 68-57. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Arlington boys top Walla Walla, punch ticket to Tacoma Dome

The Eagles use a balanced effort to secure a 68-57 victory and their first trip to the Tacoma Dome since 2013.

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (23) shoots the ball during a game between the Arlington Eagles and Walla Walla Blue Devils at Arlington High School in Arlington, Washington on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023. Arlington won, 68-57. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mariner’s Macky James (3) shoots the ball during a game between the Mariner Marauders and the Chiawana Riverhawks at Arlington High School in Arlington, Washington on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023. The Mariners won, 85-74. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Gritty Mariner boys down Chiawana, clinch spot at Tacoma Dome

The undersized Marauders use their speed to beat the Riverhawks 85-74 and book their 2nd straight trip to the 4A Hardwood Classic.

Mariner’s Macky James (3) shoots the ball during a game between the Mariner Marauders and the Chiawana Riverhawks at Arlington High School in Arlington, Washington on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023. The Mariners won, 85-74. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Wendy Asper (4), left, and Taylor Cushing (3), right, reach for the ball during a girls basketball practice at Sultan High School in Sultan, Washington on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. The Turks made the state playoffs for the first time in program history. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

For Sultan girls basketball, making state ‘just the start’

The Turks reached state for the first time in history, and with a talented group of sophomores the future has never looked brighter.

Wendy Asper (4), left, and Taylor Cushing (3), right, reach for the ball during a girls basketball practice at Sultan High School in Sultan, Washington on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. The Turks made the state playoffs for the first time in program history. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace players celebrate beating Arlington to become the 3A District 1 champions on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Prep boys basketball: State regional capsules

An in-depth look at each of the four local boys teams remaining and their opponents for the state regional round.

Mountlake Terrace players celebrate beating Arlington to become the 3A District 1 champions on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett’s Mylie Wugumgeg steals the ball against Bishop-Blanchet during a first round playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Norm Lowery Gymnasium in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Everett girls swarm Blanchet, advance in 3A state tournament

The Seagulls force 32 turnovers and Mae Washington pours in 17 of her game-high 27 points in the third quarter.

Everett’s Mylie Wugumgeg steals the ball against Bishop-Blanchet during a first round playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Norm Lowery Gymnasium in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville-Pilchuck’s Alivia White celebrates winning the 3A/4A Girls 190-pound championship match during the Mat Classic XXXIV at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

MP’s White wins 3rd crown, 4 other locals earn titles at Mat Classic

Alivia White makes local history; GP’s Connor Aney and Karianne Baldwin, Arlington’s Tre Haines and Shorewood’s Hunter Tibodeau also take home titles.

Marysville-Pilchuck’s Alivia White celebrates winning the 3A/4A Girls 190-pound championship match during the Mat Classic XXXIV at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Arlington's Danielle Crew (top) wrestles Kelso's Bella Victoriano in the quarterfinals of the 4A/3A girls 115-pound weight class during the first day of Mat Classic XXXIV on Feb. 17, 2023, at the Tacoma Dome. Crew won by pinfall to reach the state semifinals. (Zac Hereth / The Herald)

Mat Classic notebook: Girls wrestling continues to show growth

The girls tournament expanded to two brackets for the first time ever this season; Stanwood boys sit in third after Day 1.

Arlington's Danielle Crew (top) wrestles Kelso's Bella Victoriano in the quarterfinals of the 4A/3A girls 115-pound weight class during the first day of Mat Classic XXXIV on Feb. 17, 2023, at the Tacoma Dome. Crew won by pinfall to reach the state semifinals. (Zac Hereth / The Herald)
Mariner players react after winning a game between Jackson and Mariner at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Washington on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. After an intense back-and-forth in the final period Mariner defeated Jackson, 77-76. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Mariner boys mount stunning rally, top Jackson for state berth

The Marauders trail by as many as 19 points in the third, but come back to edge their Wesco 4A rivals 77-76 in another thriller.

Mariner players react after winning a game between Jackson and Mariner at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Washington on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. After an intense back-and-forth in the final period Mariner defeated Jackson, 77-76. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Bryce Slezak and Glacier Peak’s Connor Anney wrestle during the 285 pound weight class match at Lake Stevens High School on Thursday Jan. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Everything to know and who to watch at Mat Classic XXXIV

A look at the top local contenders in the high school boys and girls state wrestling tournaments.

Lake Stevens’ Bryce Slezak and Glacier Peak’s Connor Anney wrestle during the 285 pound weight class match at Lake Stevens High School on Thursday Jan. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mount Si players celebrate during a game between Lake Stevens and Mount Si at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Washington on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. Mount Si moves on in the bracket. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Lake Stevens girls ousted by Mount Si in defensive slugfest

The Vikings’ season comes to an end with a 41-35 loss in a consolation game of the 4A Wes-King Bi-District Tournament.

Mount Si players celebrate during a game between Lake Stevens and Mount Si at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Washington on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. Mount Si moves on in the bracket. (Annie Barker / The Herald)