Below are capsules for Friday’s high school basketball state regional games involving local teams.
The numbers indicate each team’s seeding among the 16 squads that qualified for regional play in that classification.
Regional games involving seeds 1-8 are non-elimination contests, with both teams advancing to next week’s Hardwood Classic. The reward for winning a non-elimination regional game is a bye into the state quarterfinals.
Seeds 9-16 play loser-out regional contests, with the winners advancing to the first round of the Hardwood Classic.
4A BOYS
No. 10 Glacier Peak vs. No. 15 Issaquah
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Everett CC
Records: Glacier Peak 14-7; Issaquah 11-13
Implications: winner to first round; loser out
About the Grizzlies: Glacier Peak is led by a strong defense that allows just 45.8 points per game. All six of the Grizzlies’ in-state losses have come against teams ranked in the top six of their respective classifications, with five of those defeats coming either in overtime or by six points or less in regulation. Glacier Peak, which finished second in Wesco 4A, is making its eighth state appearance in the past decade.
About the Eagles: Despite a losing record, Issaquah earned its first state regional berth since 2016 and its fifth in the past eight seasons. The Eagles punched their ticket with a bi-district quarterfinal win over Mount Vernon, led by 31 points from athletic 6-foot-4, 240-pound forward Asa Taylor. Issaquah scored 75 points in the victory over Mount Vernon, but managed just 29 points the following night in a district semifinal loss to Jackson.
3A BOYS
No. 12 Wilson vs. No. 13 Arlington
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Mount Tahoma H.S. (Tacoma)
Records: Wilson 17-9; Arlington 16-6
Implications: winner to first round; loser out
About the Rams: Wilson advanced to the state regionals by winning three consecutive bi-district elimination games in as many days, including a double-overtime victory over Shelton. The Rams, who finished second in the Pierce County League, are making their sixth consecutive state regional appearance and their eighth in the past decade.
About the Eagles: The senior trio of Anthony Whitis, Josh Gutierrez and Griffin Gardoski average a combined 47 points per game, led by Whitis’ 17.5 points and 4.3 assists per contest. The Eagles finished second in Wesco 3A/2A and made their first district title-game appearance since 2014. Arlington is in the state regionals for the second consecutive year and the fifth time in nine seasons.
3A GIRLS
No. 9 West Seattle vs. No. 16 Meadowdale
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Garfield H.S. (Seattle)
Records: West Seattle 17-5; Meadowdale 15-8
Implications: winner to first round; loser out
About the Wildcats: West Seattle returned the bulk of last year’s team, which reached the state semifinals and earned a third-place state trophy. The experienced Wildcats allow just 48.6 points per game and are making the program’s fifth consecutive state regional appearance.
About the Mavericks: As the No. 8 seed in its district tournament, Meadowdale made a Cinderella run to its first state berth since 2009. The Mavericks punched their ticket with three district elimination victories, including back-to-back upsets of fourth-seeded Marysville Getchell and second-seeded Shorecrest. With two minutes remaining in the winner-to-state contest against Shorecrest, Meadowdale post Fatoumata Jaiteh banked in a go-ahead 3-pointer to help key a 30-28 victory.
1A GIRLS
No. 1 La Salle vs. No. 8 King’s
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Ellensburg H.S.
Records: La Salle 23-0; King’s 20-5
Implications: winner to quarterfinals; loser to first round
First meeting: La Salle beat King’s 54-27 in a Jan. 12 non-league contest.
About the Lightning: La Salle has outscored opponents by 30.7 points per game during its unbeaten season. That includes a two-point win over fourth-seeded Cashmere and Hailey Van Lith, who ESPN ranks as the No. 3 junior recruit in the nation. The Lightning are led by 6-foot-2 sophomore Trista Hull, who averages 17.5 points per contest. La Salle, which reached the state semifinals last season and earned a third-place state trophy, is making its 14th state appearance in 16 seasons.
About the Knights: After a two-year absence, King’s is back at state for the 22nd time in the past 26 seasons. The Knights, who steamrolled through the North Sound Conference, allow just 31.1 points per game. King’s is led by sophomore Claire Gallagher and freshman Jada Wynn, the daughter of University of Washington women’s basketball head coach Jody Wynn.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
