TACOMA — Monroe coach Alan Dickson knew things were bad, but couldn’t believe just how lopsided the game had gotten when he looked up at the Tacoma Dome scoreboard.
"I looked up and it was 28 points," said Dickson, whose team eventually lost 60-45 to Prairie in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs. "I thought, ‘This is bad. We’re not used to being in this position.’"
Losing to the defending state champion is no crime, but Dickson was surprised his team didn’t provide much of a test for the top-ranked Falcons, who won their 25th straight game to improve to 25-1. Monroe, ranked seventh, missed 29 of its first 38 shots before going 5-for-5 in a game-ending 13-0 run.
The Bearcats’ 1-2 punch of Chelsey Zimmerman and Kirsten Thompson were hurt by foul trouble, playing just 21 and 22 minutes, respectively, of a possible 32. Both were on the bench during much of Prairie’s 12-0 third-quarter run that essentially put victory out of reach for Monroe. Billed as one of Day 1’s top match-ups, Dickson thought his Bearcats had a chance.
"I’d like to play them tomorrow," said Dickson, whose 23-3 team will play Curtis in a loser-out game with its sights set on Saturday’s fifth-place game. "I totally respect them, but I know how we can play."
Prairie’s 6-foot-2 center Andrea Sitton, the MVP of the Greater St. Helens League, sat the entire second quarter after picking up her second foul. She finished the half without a point or a rebound. By the time the game ended, she had compiled 18 points and seven rebounds.
"We have such a balanced team," said Sitton, who made all six of her second-half shots. "If someone isn’t playing well — or isn’t playing — we have other people who can pick up the slack."
Prairie coach Al Aldridge, whose teams have won five titles and placed in the top three at nine of the last 11 state tournaments, didn’t much like the thought of playing Monroe in the first round.
The match-up came about in part because Monroe lost to Lake Stevens in the first round of the Northwest District playoffs. That put the Bearcats into the W.I.A.A bowl, from where team names are drawn to set up a few intriguing first-round match-ups each season.
"I was not a happy camper," recalled a smiling Aldridge of Sunday’s tournament draw.
Aldridge has seen enough film of the Bearcats to know he didn’t face them at their best on Wednesday.
"We just caught them on an off day," said Aldridge, whose team will play Central Valley in a rematch of the last two state championship games in today’s quarterfinals. "We are grateful that we caught them on an off day."
Prairie took double advantage of Monroe’s foul troubles. In addition to keeping Monroe’s top two players off the floor for long stretches of time, the Falcons made 21 of 22 free throws.
The struggles began early for Monroe.
The Bearcats missed seven of eight first-quarter field goal attempts and four of six free throws while committing six turnovers to fall behind 15-4. Prairie finished the quarter with a 13-1 run.
"We just couldn’t get a bucket," Zimmerman said. "It was so frustrating."
Monroe seemed to gather some momentum in the second quarter, scoring seven straight points to cut Prairie’s lead to 19-13 after Kacey Kolrud’s offensive rebound and basket with 3:27 remaining in the half. The Bearcats did not manage a field goal for the rest of the half as the Falcons extended their lead to 28-12.
Monroe shot 5-for-17 (29.4 percent) in the first half while committing 11 turnovers. The Falcons committed 10 turnovers, but made nine of 10 free throws compared to Monroe’s 5-for-11 shooting from the line.
Thompson tallied team highs of 11 points and four rebounds. Prairie’s Rachel Stratton scored 11 of her 15 points in the half. Katie Madison contributed 10 points for the Falcons.
| Monroe |
4 |
12 |
9 |
20 |
— |
45 |
| Prairie |
15 |
13 |
16 |
16 |
— |
60 |
Monroe—Tona 6, Battle, Morton 5, Zimmerman 6, Kolrud 5, Heilman, Thompson 11, D. Drivstuen 1, Muhammad 6, Moriarity 5, Lotzgesell. Prairie—Zarkovich 3, Cameron, Aho, Benedict 8, Glover, Lewis, Porter, Stratton 15, Donovan 4, Madison 10, Gelhar 2, Sitton 18. 3-point goals—Zimmerman 2, Muhammad 1, Stratton 3. Records—Monroe 23-3 overall. Prairie 25-1.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
