Tourney MVP leads Central Valley to abother title

Associated Press

TACOMA – Tournament MVP Emily Westerberg scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to help Central Valley to a 61-43 triumph over Prairie Saturday night for its second straight title at the 4A girls basketball state tournament.

The Bears (29-0) joined the Lincoln boys as repeat winners. The Falcons, looking for their fifth state title, finished the season at 26-3. It was the third title for Central Valley, which also won in 1993.

The Bears never trailed, led 18-7 after one quarter and held double-digit advantages the rest of the way.

Central Valley shot 53 percent (25-for-47) from the field and Prairie 26 percent (15-for-58).

Westerberg, a junior, was 8-for-11 from the field. She finished the tournament with 63 points and 55 rebounds. Caitlin Courchaine added 12 points and Katie Rodgers 10 for Central Valley.

Prairie was led by the 17 points and seven rebounds of Breann Sitton. Ticey Westbrooks added 14 points for the Falcons.

Ferris 67, Kentlake 62: At Tacoma, Brynn Kelly scored 18 points to go with eight rebounds as Ferris wound up third.

For the Saxons (22-8), it was the third third-place finish in their fourth trip to the state tournament.

The Falcons (21-9), who made it to Friday’s semifinals in their first state tournament appearance, finished sixth.

Ferris shot 54 percent (21-for-39) from the field and was 20 of 25 from the free-throw line. Kemi Olajoyegbe scored 15 points, Kiley Cox 12 and Jackie Albi 10 for the Saxons. Kelly’s eight rebounds helped Ferris to a 34-19 rebounding advantage.

Kentlake was led by the 22 points of Kristin Pasley, 15 of which came on 3-pointers. Shuree Hyatt scored 18 and Courtney Thompson 13 for the Falcons.

Redmond 56, Richland 55: At Tacoma, a free throw by Jenny DeYoung with 5.1 seconds left gave Redmond fourth place.

The Mustangs, who were runnersup in last year’s tournament, finished with a 22-7 record. The seventh-place Bombers also wound up at 22-7.

Richland tied the score at 55-55 with 42.5 seconds left on a three-point play by Sarah Harrison, who led the Bombers with 15 points.

Alex Tosti missed a jumper on Redmond’s next possession, but DeYoung grabbed the rebound and was fouled. Lindsay Selle had a chance to win the game for Richland at the buzzer, but her 3-pointer was short.

Ashley Graham led Redmond with 20 points and eight assists. Graham was 7-for-12 from the field and hit three 3-pointers.

Tara Schwartz and Brandi McCoy scored 10 points apiece for the Mustangs.