LONGVIEW — The Washougal Panthers owned overtime Saturday night, and now they are the owners of a berth to the Class 2A state girls basketball regional round of 16.
Washougal held rival Hockinson scoreless in the overtime session, beating the Hawks 57-51 to claim third place at the 2A District 4 tournament, securing the district’s final berth to state and ending the Hawks’ season.
Beyonce Bea’s three-point play off an assist from RaeAnn Allen with 22 seconds left pretty much secured the victory, giving the Panthers a five-point lead.
Alyssa Blankenship scored the first basket of overtime, and that turned into the game winner because of Washougal’s tough defense in the final four minutes.
Bea, a freshman, led the way with 17 points.
Allen and Blankenship, the senior leaders on this squad, combined for 28 points.
“This is amazing. We just made history for Washougal,” Allen said. “We just worked. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Washougal trailed by seven in the final minute of Wednesday’s elimination game just to reach the third-place game. Then the Panthers trailed early in this one.
“I think everyone wanted it so bad, we just got flustered,” Allen said. “We got our nerves out of the way.”
Actually, it was nerve-racking for all involved for almost the entire game.
Hockinson’s Brittany McGuire swished a shot with around 2 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
The Hawks, who trailed going into the fourth quarter, led by six midway through the fourth quarter. Washougal responded with scores from Bea, Allen, and Lindsey Thomas, tying the game at 47. Maggie Hungerford gave Washougal a 49-47 lead with 1:42 to play.
Elle Tilkin, who led Hockinson with 13 points, had a basket down the stretch. And McGuire’s last shot in regulation forced the OT period.
Washougal beat Hockinson two out of three times this season.
This last one sent the Panthers to the state tournament for the first time since 1983, according to WIAA archives.
As Allen said, the Panthers made some history Saturday night. Overtime again, to make it to state for the first time in their lifetimes.
WASHOUGAL 57, HOCKINSON 51 (OT)
WASHOUGAL — Maggie Hungerford 7, Beyonce Bea 17, Lindsey Thomas 4, RaeAnn Allen 15, Kiara Cross 1, Alissa Lenczowksi 0, Alyssa Blankenship 13. Totals 19 (2) 17-24 57.
HOCKINSON — Keeley Nordberg 6, Hannah Neibauer 8, Payton Wangler 10, Brittany McGuire 12, Calli Garver 0, Grace Gunderson 0, Hailee Neibauer 0, Elle Tilkin 13, Lauren Ellensohn 0, Emma Dietel 2. Totals 19 (3) 10-15 51
Washougal 8 9 18 16 6–57
Hockinson 14 8 11 18 0–51
