Boys basketball

The Shorecrest boys basketball starters huddle during a Feb. 28, 2025 3A state playoff game against Liberty at Jackson High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)

Shorecrest boys eliminated in state second round

The Scots fell to Liberty 64-59 after a late comeback attempt.

The Shorecrest boys basketball starters huddle during a Feb. 28, 2025 3A state playoff game against Liberty at Jackson High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Monroe junior Tate Hammerquist stands between his grandfather, Martin (left), and father, Trevor (right), in the Monroe High School gymnasium in Monroe, Washington on Feb. 25, 2025. All three played for the Bearcats while they were in high school, as well as Tate's great-grandfather, Stan, who helped Monroe win the 1953 State Championship. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)

Family Ties: Monroe’s Hammerquist building on family’s legacy

The junior boys basketball player is a fourth-generation Bearcat.

Monroe junior Tate Hammerquist stands between his grandfather, Martin (left), and father, Trevor (right), in the Monroe High School gymnasium in Monroe, Washington on Feb. 25, 2025. All three played for the Bearcats while they were in high school, as well as Tate's great-grandfather, Stan, who helped Monroe win the 1953 State Championship. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Archbishop Murphy’s Brooke Blachly makes a 3-point shot during the game against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 22

Brooke Blachly’s 9 3s lead Wildcats to state.

Archbishop Murphy’s Brooke Blachly makes a 3-point shot during the game against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville-Getchell senior Bubba Palacol (10) attempts to wrestle the ball from Shorecrest junior Brayden Fischer in Shorecrest's 46-44 win to qualify for a state tournament spot in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 22, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)

Shorecrest boys get redemption, earn state tournament bid

After close loss in District 1 3A semis to Monroe, the Scots defeat Marysville-Getchell 46-44.

Marysville-Getchell senior Bubba Palacol (10) attempts to wrestle the ball from Shorecrest junior Brayden Fischer in Shorecrest's 46-44 win to qualify for a state tournament spot in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 22, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Monroe junior Chayce Waite-Kellar (24 in orange) brings the ball low while dribbling in the post in the Bearcats' 61-56 win against Edmonds-Woodway in the District 1 3A Boys Basketball Championship in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 22, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)

Monroe ‘family’ unites to celebrate district title

Bearcats boys basketball tops Edmonds-Woodway 61-56 in the District 1 3A Championship.

Monroe junior Chayce Waite-Kellar (24 in orange) brings the ball low while dribbling in the post in the Bearcats' 61-56 win against Edmonds-Woodway in the District 1 3A Boys Basketball Championship in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 22, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Monroe senior Dylan Hall (10) elevates for a layup against Shorecrest in the District 1 Boys 3A Basketball Semifinals in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 19, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)

Monroe boys weather storm, top Shorecrest in District semis

Isaiah Kiehl’s steal in final 20 seconds seals 48-44 win and state berth for Bearcats.

Monroe senior Dylan Hall (10) elevates for a layup against Shorecrest in the District 1 Boys 3A Basketball Semifinals in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 19, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Keira Isabelle Tupua reacts to beating Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 20

Lake Stevens girls earn state spot.

Lake Stevens’ Keira Isabelle Tupua reacts to beating Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway’s Cam Hiatt makes a layup during the 3A district semifinal game against Shorewood on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Hiatt’s halftime buzzer-beater rallies Edmonds-Woodway

The Warriors cruises to a 67-37 blowout against Shorewood in the District 1 3A semifinals.

Edmonds-Woodway’s Cam Hiatt makes a layup during the 3A district semifinal game against Shorewood on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Prep basketball roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 19

Lakewood boys stun Lynden, Getchell keeps state hopes alive.

Tulalip Heritage’s JJ Gray makes a layup during the winner-to-state playoff game against Muckleshoot Tribal School on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Hawks beat ‘brothers from the south’ to earn state bid.

Tulalip Heritage wins Tri-District game, pride against Muckleshoot Tribal School.

Tulalip Heritage’s JJ Gray makes a layup during the winner-to-state playoff game against Muckleshoot Tribal School on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Arlington bench reacts to a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Prep boys basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 18

Arlington, GP punch state tickets.

The Arlington bench reacts to a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. takes the ball up the court during a Feb. 7, 2025 home league game against Monroe. (Courtesy of Spencer Janzen)

Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. stars in freshman season

The guard averaged 19 points per game for the Tomahawks this season.

Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. takes the ball up the court during a Feb. 7, 2025 home league game against Monroe. (Courtesy of Spencer Janzen)
Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Monroe’s Halle Keller drives to the hoop during the game against Snohomish on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 3

Stanwood, Snohomish, Monroe girls dominate.

Monroe’s Halle Keller drives to the hoop during the game against Snohomish on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)