By Aaron Coe
Herald Writer
TACOMA – Though they would have preferred to win Saturday, the Snohomish Panthers are happy to be bringing home some hardware.
The chances of that looked bleak after a first-round loss to Ferris in the opening round of the Class 4A girls basketball state tournament Wednesday. The Panthers, however, rebounded with victories Thursday and Friday to earn the right to play Roosevelt.
The Rough Riders, who entered the tournament with a 22-1 record, looked like the state championship contenders they expected to be in a 52-38 victory over Snohomish in a tournament consolation game Saturday.
Roosevelt (25-2) finished fourth. The Panthers (21-6), who won their 2001 first-round game but did not place, finished seventh.
“It’s a good feeling just to get here,” Snohomish point guard Elyse Barstow said. “Just to go is a big deal.”
The Panthers led only during the game’s first few minutes, but kept in contention until Roosevelt’s closed the contest with a 17-7 outburst.
Anne Bailey, who finished with a team-high 10 points along with six rebounds, cut Snohomish’s deficit to four points with consecutive baskets early in the fourth. The Rough Riders followed with an 8-0 run for a commanding 43-31 lead with 3:52 remaining.
“Yeah, we’re disappointed,” Snohomish coach Ken Roberts said. “Yeah, there are tears because it’s the last game. But, we had a pretty good season.”
The Panthers kept it close in the first quarter, but things went downhill from there. The score was tied at 7-7 after a Barstow layup. The Rough Riders finished the half with a 17-8 binge. The Panthers trailed 24-15 at halftime, thanks in part to 12 turnovers.
The typically sure-handed Panthers finished with 21 turnovers, many of which were unforced. Roosevelt committed 15.
Roosevelt’s catalyst was point guard Darnellia Russell. The 5-foot-6 spark plug kept the defensive pressure on Snohomish all game long. She also pulled down a surprising four offensive rebounds, two of which she put back up for baskets. Russell finished with 14 points, six rebounds and four steals.
Jennie Wild scored a game-high 17 for the Rough Riders. Snohomish post Hali Thompson scored nine points and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.
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Snohomish-Barstow 2, Cornwell 3, Spada, Moore, Angell 9, Krause, Kling 5, Thompson 9, Sneberger-Foo, Wilde, Bailey 10, Snowden. Roosevelt-Nelson 2, Leddo 3, Costello 5, Moxon, Jansen, Seidel 2, Hase 5, Russell 14, Harris, Khastou 4, Wild 17. 3-point goals-Angell 2, Leddo 1, Costello 1, Hase 1. Records-Roosevelt 25-2 overall. Snohomish 21-6.
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