The Mountlake Terrace boys basketball team is back.
A year after missing out on the 4A District 1 playoffs, the Hawks earned the Western Conference South Division’s No. 1 seed. The question is whether Mountlake Terrace can translate its regular season success into a state berth. The Hawks (15-3 in the league, 15-5 overall) battled through a tough league schedule, posting a sweep over second-place Mariner, who many regarded as the preseason favorite. The Hawks only three league losses were to 3A Meadowdale, Jackson and Edmonds-Woodway.
Senior Karsten Strieby leads the Hawks on the offensive end, averaging 14.9 points per game. Teammate Ryan Sells is the only other player in double figures with 11.7 points. But three other players average from six to eight points to give the Hawks a balanced attack.
A somewhat worrisome statistic is the fourth quarter numbers. Mountlake Terrace outscores the opposition in the first three quarters but actually was outscored in the fourth quarter 301-300.
The Hawks need to close stronger if they want a trip to the state tournament.
When Jackson sophomore sensation Brett Kingma was lost for the season with a broken arm, some people might have wondered what would become of the Timberwolves (11-7, 13-8) without their leading scorer.
Junior guard Ryan Todd has answered the call each and every game. Todd is averaging 19.6 points per game. Teammate Bryan Koch’s numbers also have gone up. He averages 10.3 points. Also contributing is Trevor Bray, who is averaging eight points a game.
Nevertheless, the opposition’s defense has a clear objective and that is to bottle up Todd. Jackson needs scoring from the other four starters if it going to secure a state berth.
Those girls basketball fans who thought that the graduation of Kristi Kingma meant that Jackson would be rebuilding this season were mistaken.
Led by junior guard Erin Feeney, the Timbewolves (15-3, 17-3) won a share of the league title and claimed the South Divison’s No. 1 seed.
Feeney is leading the league in scoring with a 20.8 points per game average. If Feeney isn’t draining the 3-pointers, then Jackson looks to freshman center Kristin Stoffel, who averaging a healthy 14.3 points per game.
The question facing the Wolfpack is how the young players respond to the pressure of districts. Jackson will look to Feeney and junior Chanel Sam (8.5 points) for leadership.
Edmonds-Woodway (15-3. 16-4) earned a share of the league title along with 3A Meadowdale. The Warriors no doubt have been bolstered by the addition of Angela Woods, a transfer from Shoreline Christian. Woods is averaging a team-high 14.9 points per game.
Senior Abby Butler (12.6 point) and sophomore Sydney Donaldson (9.4 points) add to a balanced Warrior offensive attack. Senior Jennifer Singh provides experienced leadership.
Edmonds-Woodway should go deep into the district tournament and with a little luck claim its first state berth since 1993.
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