Ho hum. The Prairie girls are headed to the state tournament once again. Not that the Falcons are content with that.
“Our goal is to get to state and to win state,” junior Heather Corral said Friday, following a 73-24 win over Capital of Olympia in the quarterfinals of the bi-district tournament.
With the victory, the Falcons (22-0) clinched a spot in the 16-team state tournament. This year, first-round games will be played at neutral sites to determine the eight teams that advance to the Tacoma Dome.
But first things first, and for the Falcons that means a bi-district semifinal game tonight against Wilson of Tacoma at Clover Park High School in Lakewood.
Prairie made quick work of Capital, forcing five turnovers before the Cougars ever got up a shot, and taking an 11-0 lead in the opening minutes.
“I really liked our energy at the start,” coach Al Aldridge said. “We came out with a lot of fire; we had an electric start.”
Prairie led 31-6 after the first quarter, and 48-17 at the half. Most of the second half was played with a running clock, after the lead reached 40 points.
Jackie Lanz finished with 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals, leading four Falcons who scored in double figures. Lauren Goecke had six points, three rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
The stat sheet was filled, as 10 of the 11 players on the Prairie roster scored baskets.
As for that trip to state? It might not be the Falcons’ ultimate goal, but it’s a start.
“It’s really important,” Goecke said, “because we know we have to take it one step at a time.”
