Familiar foe awaits Snohomish girls in first round

RENTON — The Snohomish Panthers won’t need to do a ton of scouting before their first-round game in the Class 4A state girls basketball championships.

Just like last season, Snohomish High School will begin the double-elimination tournament against Bellarmine Prep. The teams tip off at noon Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome.

Ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press 4A poll, Snohomish (21-2) has won 16 consecutive games, the latest a 53-47 victory over Kamiak Saturday in the District 1 championship. Fueled by a talented, experienced senior class that includes forward Katie Benson, point guard Ally Schmitt and shooting guard Karley Lampman, the Panthers are in the 16-team state field for the third year in a row. They hope to finish higher than seventh, which they achieved in 2007 and 2008.

“So far our kids have really played well at the state tournament,” Snohomish head coach Ken Roberts said Sunday during the 4A tourney draws at the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association office. “We’ve played our best basketball of the year down there because they’ve really focused on doing what we need to do to compete and beat teams. Hopefully they’ll be able to do that again.”

Last year Snohomish blasted Bellarmine Prep 49-27 in the opening round. Seventh-ranked Bellarmine, the District 3 No. 4 seed, has many of the same players, Roberts said, but it also added a talented transfer who plays forward.

The area’s other state-bound teams, Kamiak (16-7) and Jackson (20-4), also found out who they start on Wednesday. Making its first 4A appearance since 2002 and its first ever under coach Jody Schauer, District 1 runnerup Kamiak will play Kentwood, the District 3 No. 2 seed, at 5 p.m. Second-ranked Kentwood (24-1) is led by senior guard Lindsey Moore, the state’s best player according to Snohomish’s Roberts. Moore signed with the University of Nebraska.

“I’m just glad we’ve got a team that we can prepare for now,” Schauer said. “The unknown’s gone and it’s time to get to work.”

District 1 No. 3 seed Jackson, at state for the fourth consecutive year, opens against District 2 champ Issaquah (17-6) at 7 p.m. The winner will likely play top-ranked Lewis &Clark Thursday in the quarterfinals.

Jackson has no seniors and will rely on the leadership of tourney veterans Chanel Sam and Erin Feeney, both junior guards. “I just hope my young kids can come in and not be nervous,” Jackson coach Jeannie Thompson said, “because now that they’re here they can relax and have fun. That’s easier said than done obviously, but that’s my hope.”

4A Boys Tournament

In the boys bracket, local teams are Mariner (19-4), Mountlake Terrace (17-6) and Lake Stevens (20-4). District champion Mariner got stuck with one of the morning games. The Marauders, making their third state appearance in a row, play District 3 No. 4 seed Kentridge (17-8) at 10:30 a.m.

“We’re looking forward to making a statement this year and bringing back some hardware,” said Mariner coach Dexter Griffen, whose team went two-and-out the past two seasons in Tacoma.

Excited to participate in the 4A tournament for the first time, District 1 No. 3 seed Lake Stevens must contend with one of the country’s highest-rated players in its opening-round matchup. At 8:30 p.m. in the final boys game of Day 1, Lake Stevens will play District 2 champ Garfield (20-3), propelled by 6-foot-5 sophomore guard Tony Wroten, Jr. (18.6 points per game).

“Tony Wroten — it’s a fun challenge for our kids,” said Lake Stevens coach Mark Hein, whose team allowed just 51 points per game in four district contests; Garfield averages 65 points and twice this season scored 80-plus.

Mountlake Terrace, the District 1 runnerup, starts with Foss at 5 p.m. The District 3 No. 2 seed, Foss went to state last year but did not place. Terrace is in the tourney for the first time since 2005.

Herald Writer Kevin Johnson contributed to this report.

Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.