Observers of the Monroe girls basketball team would sooner question the existence of the Cascade mountain range than Chelsey Zimmerman’s toughness.

How tough is she?

Zimmerman’s, Monroe’s starting point guard the past three seasons, played a portion of last season with a stress fracture in her L-5 vertebra.

"Then one game — at Arlington — I just couldn’t move any more," said Zimmerman, whose team will play No. 1 Prairie at 10:30 today in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs at the Tacoma Dome. "I just fell over and yelled, ‘I’m stuck, I’m stuck, I’m stuck."

Like Snohomish’s Kristin Moore and Mountlake Terrace’s Luke Hammond — whose teams will also play first-round games today — Zimmerman is a fierce competitor known for throwing her body all over the court during a game. Though none of the three will put an excessive burden on a tape measure, they are not afraid to mix it up with the big boys and girls under the basket. They play with complete disregard to their bodies, unafraid and unwilling to consider what could happen to a person who dives to the hardwood while attempting to secure a loose ball.

"If you don’t have that, then what is the game?" asked the 5-foot-7 Zimmerman, who averages 10 points, 5.5 assists and four steals for the 23-2 Bearcats. "It’s the competition and the intensity of the game that make it fun."

After locking up on the Arlington basketball court on Jan. 29, 2003, Zimmerman missed the remainder of her junior season, including Monroe’s two losses in two games at state. Eventually, the fracture was discovered, erasing any chance she had of returning for the postseason. Zimmerman, who said the vertebra may require surgery later in life, wore a brace for six weeks and did not play basketball for five months. Because of the layoff, her shot wasn’t always there early in the season but her defense and leadership never left. The shot has returned along with the interest from some Division I college coaches.

"It took a doctor to take her out of (last year’s tournament)," Monroe coach Alan Dickson said. "She was looking great in practice. I think she would’ve been maybe the best guard in the state tournament last year. She plays a complete game, and she’ll have a chance to do that this year."

Zimmerman and Moore have been part of a friendly rivalry that has grown strong between their respective teams that last few years. The two teams could not meet this week until Saturday’s championship or consolations finals. Moore, who alternates at point guard with sophomore Daesha Henderson, brings a dose of attitude to the deep and talented Panthers.

"She’s very athletic and very strong," said Snohomish coach Ken Roberts, whose 21-2 team will play Port Angeles at 3:30 p.m. "She can push the ball real well."

Zimmerman, Moore and Hammond are all known for their quickness and ballhandling skills along with their competitive spirit. Hammond, a 6-foot junior point guard, enjoys challenging taller players in the post. He averages nearly five rebounds a game along with 12.3 points, three assists and three steals.

"I’ve never felt any reason to be scared," said Hammond, whose team will play South Kitsap at 2 p.m. "What’s the worst that can happen? I could get my shot blocked. If that happens, I’ll get it back most of the time. That’s the most fun — trying to get into the middle and creating things."

Mountlake Terrace coach Nalin Sood believes Hammond’s work ethic and leadership by example have been critical to a team with only one senior among its top eight.

"He’s not afraid to stick his nose into things," Sood said. "He’s not afraid to battle. He’s fearless. Luke knows that he can set the tone for our basketball team."

When he’s not going toe to toe inside, Hammond is sticking shots outside. He shoots 40 percent from the three-point line and nearly 50 percent from the field overall. He’s also steady from the free throw line — a place he’s at often in games — where he makes nearly 80 percent of his foul shots. He is also perhaps one of the state’s better defenders. On Dec. 30, he held O’Dea’s Mitch Johnson — who on Saturday was named MVP of the Class 3A tournament — to 13 points.

"He’s the first line of defense for us," Sood said. "Night in and night out, Luke’s checked the best player (on the opposing team)." He really doesn’t get the respect he deserves. He’s done it against the best players all year."

Starting today the fearless three hope to show what they can do against the state’s best teams, even if it means a few more divots in the Tacoma Dome basketball floors.