ARLINGTON — One game at a time.
That’s the motto of the Meadowdale boys basketball team, which is one win away from the state tournament.
The Mavericks are in that position thanks to a 57-44 victory over Lynnwood in a loser-out Class 3A District 1 playoff game Wednesday at Arlington High School.
With one more victory, Meadowdale — which dropped into the consolation bracket after a 49-45 second-round loss to Mount Vernon last week — will clinch the district’s second and final state tournament berth.
“We’re taking it one game at a time (but) we feel battle tested,” Mavericks assistant coach Dean Wiley said. “We’re confident going in.”
The Mavericks play Mt. Vernon in a winner-to-state game at 6 p.m. Saturday at Arlington High School.
Squalicum clinched the district’s first state playoff berth with a 62-53 victory over Mount Vernon Wednesday.
Meadowdale’s Matt Gorman led all scorers with 23 points. Jake Clampitt added 10 points for the Mavericks and Connor Hamlett had nine.
Meadowdale (21-4 overall) jumped out to an early 11-2 lead and stretched the margin to 18 points in the second half before Lynnwood (12-13) rallied to cut the deficit.
“Most of the game we were in control and able to get it done,” Wiley said. “(Lynnwood) made a late run and battled the lead back down.”
The Mavericks countered the Royals’ rally from the free throw line, with Gorman making 3-of-5 from the stripe in the fourth quarter and 9-of-12 for the game.
“We made a lot of free throws down the stretch to seal the win,” said Wiley.
Andrew Beatty finished with 15 points to lead Lynnwood, and Simi Fajemisin scored nine.
Meadowdale 57, Lynnwood 44
At Arlington H.S.
Lynnwood6101018—44
Meadowdale13101618—57
Lynnwood — Beatty 15, Daniel, DeGraw 2, Evans, Fajemisin 9, Gordon 5, Hill, Hunsinger 2, Matzen 5, Meinken 6, Milne, Wilson. Meadowdale — Beeson, Clampitt 10, Dooley, Epstein, Gorman 23, Hamlett 9, Matteson 6, Nelson, O’Neill 4, P. Werner 3, S. Werner 2. 3-point goals — P. Werner 1, O’Neill 1, Matzen 1. Records— Lynnwood 12-13 overall. Meadowdale 21-4.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
