Zac Hereth

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)
during a game between Glacier Peak and Bothell at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Washington on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Glacier Peak girls’ season ends with loss to Bothell

The Grizzlies can’t solve the Cougars’ stout defense and fall 57-38 in a winner-to-state, loser-out bi-district tournament game.

during a game between Glacier Peak and Bothell at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, Washington on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Stanwood wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Arlington on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Stanwood boys aim to make school history at Mat Classic

The talented Spartans have one goal in mind this weekend in Tacoma — chase down the school’s first team state title in any sport.

Stanwood wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Arlington on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorewood’s Abbi Chishungu tries to take down teammate Kiana Yoshimura during the 3A/4A Girls Region 1 Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Trio of champions lift Shorewood girls to regional team title

Also, 3 Marysville wrestlers win championships, Arlington sends 4 to finals, and other local winners.

Shorewood’s Abbi Chishungu tries to take down teammate Kiana Yoshimura during the 3A/4A Girls Region 1 Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Multiple Mariner players surround Jackson’s Sylas Williams to block his shot during the game on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

5 things to know as prep district hoops tournaments start

Local 4A and 2A squads face daunting paths to regionals. Meanwhile, opportunities abound in 3A.

Multiple Mariner players surround Jackson’s Sylas Williams to block his shot during the game on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Kaid Hunter reacts to a dunk during the game against Shorecrest on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Despite losing 9 seniors, Arlington boys just keep soaring

After graduating key pieces from last season’s league-title team, the new-look Eagles are on top of Wesco 3A/2A once again.

Arlington’s Kaid Hunter reacts to a dunk during the game against Shorecrest on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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)

Williams scores 42, Jackson boys overpower Lake Stevens

The Timberwolves clinch at least a share of the Wesco 4A title with 87-69 victory over the Vikings.

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)
Stanwood’s Ryder Bumgarner breaks away and runs the ball in for a touchdown while his teammates raise their arms and cheer during the 3A quarterfinal game against Odea on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Prep notebook: Bumgarner (UW), Williams (WSU) commit as PWOs

Plus, the 4A and 3A state baseball championships are coming to Funko Field in Everett and more.

Stanwood’s Ryder Bumgarner breaks away and runs the ball in for a touchdown while his teammates raise their arms and cheer during the 3A quarterfinal game against Odea on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville Pilchuck girls wrestler Alivia White, who his committed to wrestle at the University of Iowa next year. Iowa is set to become the first NCAA D-I school at the Power Five level to offer a varsity women’s wrestling team allowing White a unique opportunity of being a part of a historic moment for the sport. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

MP star Alivia White helps blaze trail in women’s wrestling

The 2-time state champ signed with Iowa, which is set to roll out the first varsity women’s wrestling team at a Power 5 school.

Marysville Pilchuck girls wrestler Alivia White, who his committed to wrestle at the University of Iowa next year. Iowa is set to become the first NCAA D-I school at the Power Five level to offer a varsity women’s wrestling team allowing White a unique opportunity of being a part of a historic moment for the sport. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)