Here are four local prep events to keep an eye on this week:
1. Boys basketball: Stanwood at Mountlake Terrace, 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. This game will have ramifications on the Wesco 3A championship, with both teams entering this game with just one conference loss. The Hawks (16-1 overall) are on a 11-game winning streak, and their average margin of victory is 20.9 points. The Spartans (12-5 overall) have won seven straight contests.
2. Girls basketball: Jackson at Mariner, 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. A win in this game would be critical for the Marauders (10-7 overall, 5-6 Wesco 4A), who have lost four of their past five contests. The Timberwolves (10-7, 7-4), like Mariner, are fighting for a playoff spot in a conference that’s all of a sudden become more crowded in the middle due to Kamiak’s recent emergence.
3. Girls basketball: Lynden Christian at Archbishop Murphy, 6:45 p.m. Thursday. A somewhat rare late-season non-conference contest, this matchup will serve as great preparation for postseason play for both squads. The Wildcats (17-0 overall) are No. 2 in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Ratings Percentage Index 2A rankings, while the Lyncs (16-0) are No. 1 in the 1A rankings. Lynden Christian has had a dominating season, posting an average margin of victory of 24.4 points per game. On paper, at least, this is a battle of two of the best small-school girls teams in the state, squads that are capable of winning games at their respective state tournaments.
4. Bowling: 4A state meet, 10 a.m. Thursday. Cascade and Jackson bowlers will conclude their seasons at the two-day meet, held at Narrows Plaza Bowl in University Place. The Bruins qualified for the meet as a team, and the Timberwolves are sending three individuals.
