STANWOOD — Four Shorewood players scored in double figures as the Thunderbirds sewed up the No. 2 seed from the Wesco 3A South and snapped the Spartans 11-game winning streak with a convincing 64-39 victory on Wednesday.
Masha Shtikel led Shorewood with 17 points, but the Thunderbirds also received 11 points from Lauren Thompson and Kassie Rasmussen, and Angel Tulee added 10.
“They just played better than we did, that’s how simple it is,” said Stanwood head coach Dennis Kloke. “They shot the ball very well … there was balanced scoring and that makes it more difficult to defend.”
Samantha Powell had 13 points for the Spartans, who lost for the first time in over a month and suffered their first loss to a 3A team this season.
The victory was crucial for Shorewood’s seeding and enables the Thunderbirds to begin the 3A district tournament at home. Shorewood will host Everett on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
Stanwood, having already wrapped up the Wesco 3A North title, plays Meadowdale at home and should get a boost from the return of freshman Haley Strowbridge. Strowbridge missed Wednesday’s game after suffering a strained MCL on Monday against Everett, according to Kloke.
Still, Kloke is wary of the Mavericks. The Spartans needed late free throws to edge the Mavs 54-53 in the two teams’ only regular season meeting.
“It’s going to be nip and tuck,” he said. “They have a senior squad that’s matured since they came back from San Diego. It’s also going to be a new experience for us. We have just one player with district experience.”
At Stanwood H.S.
Shorewood18121618—64
Stanwood167115—39
Shorewood—Masha Shtikel 17, Trisha Fernandez 0, Lauren Thompson 11, Kayla Bradley 2, Gabby Hager 3, Salyna McDonald 2, Lily Gustafson 8, Abby Gustafson 0, Karrin Leazer 0, Kassie Rasmussen 11, Angel Tulee 10. Stanwood—Sierra Palmer 3, Lauren Allison 2, Julia Heichel 0, Samantha Powell 13, Jillian Jacobs 6, Janea Taylor 0, Kylie Wright, Rachel Swartz 10, Tristan Murphy 5. 3-point goals—Shtikel 3, Thompson 3, Hager, Tulle 2, Palmer, Powell 3, Jacobs. Records—Shorewood 9-4 league, 14-6 overall. Stanwood 12-1, 17-3.
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