MILL CREEK — Ranked fourth in the state in the Associated Press poll and now, district champions. Barely.
One way or another, the Snohomish Panthers keep adding accolades to an impressive season.
Despite a trip to the doctor’s office the day before, senior forward Katie Benson scored 28 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked two shots and Snohomish made just enough free throws in the fourth quarter to hang on and edge underdog Kamiak 53-47 in the girls 4A District 1 Championship Saturday night at Jackson High School.
Snohomish will make its eighth trip to state in 10 years and for the first time in four seasons, it will be as a No. 1 seed. Kamiak received the district’s second seed.
“We squeaked by with a win,” Benson said after helping her teammates cut down the net after the game. “I’m so excited right now.”
Benson repeatedly battered Kamiak inside to help Snohomish (21-2) to its 16th consecutive victory.
The 6-foot-1 forward scored Snohomish’s first seven points and forced Kamiak starting post Michelle Lipscomb to sit with two fouls after just a minute and a half of play. A three-point play by Benson put Snohomish up 50-41 with 2:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
“We thought we had an advantage inside,” Snohomish head coach Ken Roberts said.
“She’s a great player,” Kamiak head coach Jody Schauer added of Benson. “… Whether they’re fouls or not, we’ve got to guard her.”
Despite holding an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, Snohomish had to hang on after converting just six of 12 free-throw attempts in the final period. A 3-pointer by Kamiak post Georgia McClaskey pulled Kamiak within 51-47 with 25 seconds remaining, but that was as close as the Knights would get after Ally Schmitt (10 points) and Joanna Balin (five points) each split a pair of free throws.
It was a disappointing result in what has so far been a banner year for Kamiak. Despite starting the year 6-5, the Knights rallied to go 10-1 and reach the district championship match up with Snohomish.
“I’m real proud of our kids” Schauer said of his team, which reached the first 4A district championship game in school history, “of what they’ve accomplished together.”
Kamiak standout Kelsey Patrick finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds and reached the 1,000-point career milestone. McClaskey had nine points and nine rebounds in the loss. Junior guard Kariah Kussman added 11 points.
“This is the coolest thing,” Patrick said. “…We’re still going to state … It’s a fresh start.”
Snohomish, the Wesco North No. 1 seed, held Kamiak, the Wesco South No. 3 seed, to six points in the second quarter to take control of the game. Schmitt scored six of her 10 points in the period and Karley Lampman (eight points) scored inside to hand Snohomish a 25-17 lead at the break.
Roberts said Benson had an infection that required antibiotics.
“We’re looking forward to going down (to state),” Roberts said. “I hope the whole Wesco conference, Kamiak and Jackson (the District 1’s third seed) play well.”
At Jackson H.S.
Kamiak1161515—47
Snohomish13121414—53
Kamiak—Sovich 4, Simmons 1,Barnes 0, Patrick 12, Kussman 11, Mahjoubian 0, Johnson 0, Lipscomb 5, Larson 2, McClaskey 9. Snohomish—Guthrie 2, Schmitt 10, Lampman 8, Wayman 0, Timmerman 0, Berg 0, Benson 0, Bride 0, Balin 5. 3-pointers—Sovich 1, Patrick 1, Lipscomb 1, McClaskey 1. Records—Kamiak 16-7 overall. Snohomish 21-2.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
