TACOMA – The Lynnwood Royals move from one top-three team in the state to the next.
Lynnwood, ranked No. 1 in the final 3A Associated Press girls basketball poll of the season, defeated No. 2 West Seattle 60-36 on Thursday in the Class 3A state quarterfinals at the Tacoma Dome.
The Royals’ reward? Third-ranked Bellevue in a Hardwood Classic semifinal at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Lynnwood head coach Everett Edwards said his team is familiar with several of the Wolverines’ players, who play on club teams with members of his Royals. He’s seen Bellevue star Shelby Cansler, who averages 15 points and five rebounds per game, and knows stopping her is a tall order. Cansler had 21 points and nine rebounds in Bellevue’s 51-39 win over Prairie Thursday morning.
“Shelby Cansler played for me for three years on a club team. I’m very familiar with Shelby,” Edwards said. “And we know all about (Bellevue senior guard) Mandy Stewart. Half of their team plays with our team, so we know them very well and we know that they’re a very good team. They’re very long, very tall and they execute their style of play tremendously. It’s going to be a fun game to play. I can’t wait.”
Bellevue vs. Lynnwood
When/Where: 5:30 p.m., Friday, Tacoma Dome
Records: Bellevue 24-3, Lynnwood 23-2
AP Rankings: Bellevue (No.3); Lynnwood (No. 1)
Thursday’s games: Lynnwood routed West Seattle 60-3. In the game before, Bellevue defeated Prairie 51-39.
Players to watch: Bellevue—Shelby Cansler, Jr., G; Mandy Stewart, Sr., G; Tatiana Streun, Jr., F. Lynnwood—Monty Cooper, Sr., W; Jordyn Edwards, Jr., W; Mikayla Pivec, Jr., W; Kelsey Rogers, So., P.
Breakdown: Lynnwood looked like one of the top teams in the state in beating West Seattle in its opener, but could have its hands full with Bellevue — which placed third at state last season and is at the Tacoma Dome for the third consecutive year.
This game should be closer than the Royals’ state opener, but Lynnwood’s relentless defensive pressure should prove too much for the Wolverines.
Twitter: @Krueger_David
Prediction: Lynnwood 52, Bellevue 47
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