Meadowdale boys take fifth at state

TACOMA — Often when a basketball team loses on the first day of the state tournament, it quickly becomes an afterthought in the consolation bracket at the Tacoma Dome.

Meadowdale’s Connor Hamlett almost single-handedly assured that Wednesday’s loss to Enumclaw — a team that finished as state runner-up Saturday — would not define the Mavericks’ tournament.

Hamlett recorded his fourth straight double-double with 33 points and 10 rebounds to overwhelm defending champion Franklin in a 66-55 triumph in the 5th-place game Saturday morning.

“He’s probably about as difficult a post assignment that I’ve seen in about ten years,” Franklin coach Jason Kerr said. “We tried everything in terms of bringing help from all kinds of locations and pressuring and trapping. At the end of the day he just kept getting it in there and finishing strong.”

Kerr, who completed his 11th year at the South Seattle school, is about as good a judge of prep talent as there is in the state with three former players currently on Division I scholarships and others playing professionally including the Houston Rockets’ Aaron Brooks.

Peyton Siva (Louisville) and the Quakers blew out Meadowdale 58-37 in the 2009 semifinals, so this win was a bit of revenge for the Mavericks (22-7).

“We’ve been here the last three years and it feels good my senior year to pull it out against the team that beat us last year,” guard Sam Werner said. “It’s not quite the same. They are without Peyton Siva and their best players. … They are young, but I have a lot of respect for (Franklin).”

Werner and Hamlett are two of the Mavs’ six seniors, five of whom started Saturday’s game and helped claim the best trophy in Meadowdale history, fifth place. Riley Neff-Warner, Dillon Sand and Matt Beucherie also suited up in blue and white for the last time Saturday.

“To come back and win three in a row after losing the first day shows a lot of character,” Meadowdale coach Chad McGuire said. “We proved that we are one of the best teams in the state this week. Fifth place is nothing to be ashamed of. The kids are happy.”

Hamlett came out blazing in the first half, shooting 8-of-8 from the floor and the Quakers had no answer. When Franklin triple-teamed the 6-foot-8 center it opened things up for Werner and the guards who found the holes in the Quaker defense. Werner took it coast-to-coast three times for scores on the way to 13 points. He added three assists and no turnovers.

Franklin’s Anrio Adams finished third in the tournament in scoring, one spot behind Hamlett who ended up with 24 points per game. The Mavs couldn’t stop Adams, who scored 16 points in just 10 minutes on 6-for-7 shooting. Foul trouble put the sophomore on the bench early and often. When he went to the bench in the third he had a heated discussion with Kerr and never returned.

Meadowdale’s trophy may cause the rest of the state to take notice that Snohomish County boys basketball is as strong as ever.

“With Glacier Peak getting a trophy and Jackson (2nd in 4A) last week, I think it shows that Wesco South basketball is pretty good,” McGuire said.

At The Tacoma Dome

Franklin15101614—55

Meadowdale19141518—66

Franklin—Adams 16, Grigsby 5, Conway 2, Garrett 4, Nelson 10, Hawkins 6, Moss 0, Bash 0, Buchannan 5, Rogers 2, Hennings 5. Meadowdale—Neff-Warner 5, Linton 3, Werner 13, Beucherie 7, Tallman 2, Dooley 0, Sand 3, Buck 0, Hamlett 33, Spade 0. Three-Point Goals— Hawkins 2, Adams 1, Grigsby 1, Linton 1, Beucherie 1, Franklin 17-14 overall, Meadowdale 22-7.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Marysville Pilchuck claims 2A district wrestling title

Tomahawks win three individual championship bouts.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Gonzaga sets school record with 33 assists in blowout

The first half started with Khalif Battle hitting consecutive 3-pointers… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.