FAVORITE
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
With teams like Shorewood and Shorecrest, who aren’t exactly dark horses, but in reality, aren’t exactly favorites either, the Hawks can’t get too comfortable. But in reality Mountlake Terrace is on another level than those two. The Hawks finished the season 19-1, losing on the final day to Shorewood, which at least gives the T-birds confidence that they can beat the Hawks. Shorecrest and Shorewood would need to play near perfect to beat the Hawks.
Dark Horse
GLACIER PEAK
After seeing the Grizzlies play four times this season I am high on this team. I don’t think the Grizzlies can win this tournament, but I can see them being the second team advancing to state.
Wild Card
UNSELFISHNESS
The Hawks have exhibited this all season long. They have seven players on their team that can go for 15-20 points on any given night, but no one on the team seems to care who scores. If the Hawks can continue to play in the postseason the way they played in the regular season, their unselfishness will send them sailing to the state tournament.
DIFFERENCE MAKER(S)
ZACH PEDERSON, GLACIER PEAK AND COBY RUSSELL, MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
Pederson is a matchup nightmare for teams. He is tall and his hook shot inside is nearly unstoppable. The only worry I have for Pederson is if he can maintain for an entire game. In most of the Glacier Peak games I have seen this season, he goes for 10-12 in the first quarter, but finishes the game with around 20. If Pederson can keep it together for four quarter, the Grizzlies can surprise some teams. Russell was one of probably four players from the Hawks that I could have selected as a difference maker, but I have been most impressed with him this season. Russell very seldom shoots the ball from outside three feet, but he hits the offensive glass hard and scores 10-20 points a night with ease.
WHO WINS
The Hawks are just simply too good. Until losing to the Thunderbirds, they were beating teams by an average of 30-plus points per game. I think the Hawks loss is actually a good thing and will get the focus on winning a district championship and advancing to state rather than staying undefeated. I have the Hawks beating the Grizzlies in the championship game and the Grizzlies advancing to state by beating Shorewood in the consolation final.
THE PICK: MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
