By Christopher Taylor
Herald Writer
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE – Archbishop Murphy’s Lauren Coates dominant inside play benefited her team at the right time. The junior center scored a game high 34 points, leading the Wildcats to a 53-47 victory over Seattle Christian in a Class A Tri-District game played at Mountlake Terrace High School.
The victory gives Archbishop Murphy a berth in the state tournament. The Wildcats next district game is Thursday, when they will play the winner of today’s Coupeville-Forest Ridge game.
Seattle Christian’s season ends, despite the best efforts of senior center Sarah Hubeek, who scored a team high 27 points.
Seattle Christian’s defense was primed to try and slow Coates, but were unable to do so. Coates scored the game’s first six points, finishing with 13 first-half points as Murphy took a 26-23 halftime lead. The second half was even more of a scintillating performance as Coates scored all 14 of her team’s third quarter points.
“We found ways to get Lauren the ball,” said Archbishop Murphy coach Erik Lindblad. “There are a bunch of players that are heroes on our team tonight. We had a lot of unselfish play with the girls passing the ball around and into the post.”
“Our game plan was to try and get charges on Lauren,” said Seattle Christian coach Bill Kelley. “The girls did their best, she just played a great game.”
Despite Coates’ play, Murphy led 42-35 with 6:21 to play after a Hubeek basket. However, Coates made five of eight free throws in the last minute of the game to help hold off the Warriors.
“I thought we played well tonight,” said Coates. “We were able to get defensive rebounds and run our offense. I wasn’t really expecting to score that many points.”
Hubeek, who had four 3-pointers in the game, was held scoreless during a six minute stretch in the fourth quarter as Seattle Christian could get no closer than 46-40 with 1:33 to play.
Archbishop Murphy – Duval 2, Terhar 2, Johnson 6, K. Linscott 2, Reynolds, Taylor 2, Lyons 5, Enger, Coate 34. Seattle Christian – Estes 3, Nelson 2, McCorkle 4, Miller 2, Hubeek 27, Morse 1,Strode 6, Grimes 2. 3-point goals – Hubeek 4. Records – Archbishop Murphy 18-6. Seattle Christian 10-12.
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