Athletes of the Week

The junior helped her team earn a No. 1 seed in this week’s Class A state tournament with three outstanding performances.

The 5-foot-11 center kept her team alive Monday with 34 points and 17 rebounds in a 53-47 tri-district victory over Seattle Christian.

In Thursday’s 51-37 triumph over Forest Ridge, Coate contributed 15 points and 18 rebounds.

She added 21 points and 15 rebounds in Saturday’s 44-38 defeat of Overlake, which gave the Wildcats a third-place finish and one of three No. 1 seeds from the tri-district tournament.

“She had a great regular season, and she’s even stepped that up in the playoffs,” Wildcats coach Bill Kelley said. “She’s done that even though other teams are focusing on her.”

Other top girls basketball performers: Darcy Madison, Shoreline Christian; Kristi Auckland, Cascade; Anne Bailey, Snohomish; Heidi McNeill, Oak Harbor; Kelsey Larsen, Kamiak; Emily Jenkins, Kamiak; Ashley Ellsworth-Bagby; Valerie Hartman, Oak Harbor; Quinn Brewe, Meadowdale; Gina Carbonatto, Lake Stevens; Allison Burk, King’s; Haley Martin, Shorecrest; Monique Lee, Cedar Park Christian; Nanda McCormick, Shorewood; Christina Wikstrom, King’s.

Ryan Appleby

The junior point guard scored 25 points against Mariner on Friday and willed Stanwood to a state playoff berth.

Appleby was the difference in Saturday’s 62-55 District I tournament victory over Mariner, which is one of the state’s best defensive teams.

He hit four 3-point baskets – all at key points in the game – and helped break down the Marauders’ stingy defense with crisp passes and ballhandling skills. He also pulled down six rebounds.

The Spartans earned their second straight trip to the state tournament after a 27-year absence.

On Tuesday, Appleby contributed 17 points and 13 assists in a 108-68 throttling of Jackson.

“He didn’t have his best shooting night (against Mariner),” Stanwood coach Nate DuChesne said. “But the key to the game was how we kept our composure down the stretch. He kept us under control and his shots eventually started going in.”

Other top boys basketball performers: Marcus Steele, Stanwood; Garth Brandal, Shoreline Christian; Chris Keller, Jackson; Jake Poeschel, Lakewood; Ronnie McCoy, Darrington; Ryan Sommer, Snohomish; Charlie Soper, Marysville-Pilchuck; Adam Moore, Everett; Ryan Webb, Mountlake Terrace; Chris Faidley, King’s; Brent Lillibridge, Jackson; Darren Broekhuis, Shoreline Christian; Bryce Boyd, Darrington; Brett Landman, Lakewood.