Grace Academy girls ousted with 1B state regional loss

EVERETT — The Grace Academy girls basketball team fell just short of its first-ever trip to the Hardwood Classic.

The No. 12-seeded Eagles surrendered the game’s final 10 points and suffered a 57-48 loss to No. 13 seed Cusick in a Class 1B loser-out state regional contest Friday night at Everett Community College.

Cusick (16-5) advanced to next week’s 1B Hardwood Classic in Spokane with the victory.

It was the second time in the past three full-length seasons that Marysville-based Grace Academy (10-5) came within one win of its first Hardwood Classic berth. In 2019, the Eagles won their first-ever league title and made their first state appearance, but lost a loser-out state regional game.

Grace Academy led for much of the contest and was up 39-31 midway through the third quarter. But as the Eagles went scoreless over the next 5 1/2 minutes, Cusick pulled in front with a 10-0 run.

The teams then went back and forth in a fourth quarter that featured two ties and four lead changes.

The Eagles took a 48-47 lead on a basket by junior center Karis Jones with 3:06 to play. But Cusick quickly responded, regaining the lead on a 3-pointer by senior Dalia Oliver with 2:35 remaining.

Oliver later added a layup that served as the knockout punch, stretching the margin to 53-48 with 34 seconds to go.

Cusick, from northeastern Washington, was led by the Thompson sisters. Lania Thompson, a senior forward, scored 13 of her team-high 18 points in the second half. Tameira Thompson, an eighth grader, hit four 3-pointers and finished with 16 points.

Oliver scored nine of her 13 points in fourth quarter for Cusick, which was making its first state appearance in a decade.

Grace Academy was led by sophomore guard Zia Fackenthal, who exploded for 12 of her team-high 21 points in the second quarter. Senior wing Heidi Impola scored all 10 of her points in the first half for the Eagles.

Grace Academy’s Zia Fackenthal tries to steal the ball from Cusick’s Dalia Oliver during the game on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Grace Academy’s Kari Jones gets the ball stolen during the game against Cusick on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Grace Academy’s Zia Fackenthal jumps while making a pass during the game against Cusick on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Grace Academy’s Heidi Impola drives to the hoop during the game against Cusick on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Grace Academy’s Zia Fackenthal attempts a layup during the game against Cusick on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Grace Academy’s Kathryn Fehme calls out a play during the game against Cusick on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The Grace Academy bench reacts to a three point shot during the game against Cusick on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Grace Academy’s Kari Jones attempts a layup during the game against Cusick on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Grace Academy’s Zia Fackenthal drives tot eh hoop during the game against Cusick on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Grace Academy fans react to a stolen ball during the game against Cusick on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Grace Academy’s Zia Fackenthal hangs her head after losing to Cusick on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)