Former teammates face off in Tri-districts

Published 9:54 am Thursday, February 28, 2008

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — As their respective teams headed off in opposite directions, King’s senior Rachel Strand and Archbishop Murphy senior Lauren Coate stood together near midcourt.

There was a hint of magic in the air. Seattle Magic, that is.

The senior standouts struck up a friendship as summertime teammates on the Seattle Magic select basketball club last year and have remained close ever since.

And for just the second time in their distinguished high school careers, the duo went toe-to-toe when Strand’s Knights outlasted Coate’s Wildcats for the Class 1A Tri-district title last week.

“We’re great friends,” Strand said. “We’ve been talking about playing each other since the beginning of the season. We were like, ‘Can’t wait for districts.’ So it was fun to actually play her.”

With King’s and Archbishop Murphy competing in — or dominating, to be exact — different leagues, the only time they’re able to cross paths is during the playoffs.

Both times the rivals have met, the Tri-district championship was on the line.

“It was fun,” Coate said. “I knew the entire season we’d probably end up playing (King’s). We both knew it and had been looking forward to it.”

King’s coach Eric Rasmussen sees several similarities between the 6-footers, none more apparent than their uncanny ability to hurt the opposition from any spot on the floor.

“They’re both real versatile kids. They can score inside and out,” Rasmussen said. “They’re tough competitors that can do it everywhere. They’ve both proven they’re in a pretty distinct class.”

Enterprise sports editor David Pan contributed to this story.