Lauren Hood’s eyes widened when she heard the number of assists Camas had in its 70-52 Round of 12 victory over Lake Stevens on Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome.
The defending state champion Papermakers registered 20 assists on 28 made field goals to advance to Thursday’s quarterfinal against Sumner.
“We moved the ball really well as a team,” said Hood, who had 10 points, six rebounds and two assists, “and that’s one of our strengths. “When they pressed, it’s like, ‘What do we need to do? We need to move the ball.’ So we moved the ball really well and got open shots.”
Keirra Thompson posted a double-double of 19 points and 11 assists.
— Meg Wochnick
Senior Lance Lee is Seton’s tone setter
The box score only scratches the surface of the impact Lance Lee can make on a nightly basis.
The Seton Catholic boys basketball senior is, without question, the Cougars’ glue guy, Seton Catholic coach Donald Wilson says.
In Seton Catholic’s 68-61 win over Cashmere in the Class 1A State Round of 12 on Wednesday at Yakima SunDome, Lee was a tone-setter in the team’s 17-point comeback in the second half, particularly on the defensive end where the Cougars held the Bulldogs to 20 points in the second half, including just seven in the fourth quarter.
In addition to his eight points, seven rebounds and one steal, Lee took two charges in the second half to provide an extra spark for Seton.
“He’s one of those athletes that can just galvanize the troops with just playing defense,” Donald Wilson said. “Getting those key stops, always guarding the best player — I know the Trico League doesn’t recognize a defensive player of the year, but he would be that defensive player of the year. He draws the biggest assignment every single night, he plays bigger than what he looks and he hits timely shots, because every day we preach it — everybody has a green light.”
A multi-sport athlete who also played on the Seton Catholic football team during its run to the 1A state championship game in December, Lee has also played a key role in the Cougars’ three straight runs to the 1A boys basketball state tournament in Yakima, whether it involves scoring, defense, rebounding, hustle plays or anything in between.
After a near-scare Wednesday, Lee, along with seniors Rico George, Brady Angelo, Tyler Tran and Mason Glassmire, did their part to ensure their high school careers continue for a couple more days.
“We just kept our composure,” Lee said. “We knew that this could potentially be the last game with me, Kaiden (and) the group of seniors we have. It’s a special group. The whole message was just, fight ‘til the end, don’t give up.”
— Will Denner
Early risers on game day
Morning games are a staple of state basketball tournaments. For some teams, it requires a little extra getting used to.
The Columbia River boys didn’t seem to mind the early wake-up call for Wednesday’s Class 2A State Round of 12 game, a 60-56 win over Lakewood at Yakima SunDome.
That was true for River’s Ari Richardson, who led the Rapids with 22 points, six rebounds and seven steals, and Aaron Hoey, who added 18 points.
“It was early, but I was so anxious and excited to play that it didn’t really feel like 9 a.m. It just felt like any other game,” Hoey said.
“The team had to get up at 6:30 a.m., but it felt like noon,” Richardson added. “We were all excited. The whole night we were all ready to play. We just couldn’t wait for the next day.”
It was business as usual for the Rapids when they arrived in Yakima on Tuesday night, went through a shootaround at Davis High School before settling in at their hotel.
Motivated by last year’s one-and-done appearance in Yakima after losing to Anacortes in the Round of 12, the Rapids had every intention of making this year a longer stay.
“They were ready to go,” River coach Mark Ganter said. “We got in here at 7:45 (a.m.), and they wanted to play now.”
With Wednesday’s win, which required River to overcome cold shooting in the fourth quarter and battle back from a deficit, the team is guaranteed to play at least through Friday.
A veteran team led by five seniors making its second trip to the dome, the Rapids are showing how important experience is late in the season.
“Ari, John (Reeder), Aaron, they’re four-year lettermen, they’ve been here, they know what’s going on,” Ganter said. “Last year was the first time they had ever been here. Even the seniors last year had never been here. … So, guys have been here, they know this arena, they know this stage and it helped a lot.”
— Will Denner
River’s Dukes enjoys being defensive stopper
Some players love to score points. Peyton Dukes gets a bigger thrill from stopping them.
A standout soccer defender who has committed to Seattle Pacific University, Dukes brings that same mentality to the hardwood. She had five of Columbia River’s nine steals in a 38-33 win over Port Angeles in the Round of 12 on Wednesday in Yakima.
Dukes made the game-clinching steal as Columbia River protected a 36-33 lead in the final 20 seconds. The senior also had three blocks and was one of the top difference-makers despite shooting 1 for 7 from the field.
What is Dukes thinking when she’s being a disruptor?
“I’m just trying to get the ball back,” Dukes said. “Defense is what I pride myself most on. I’m defense is soccer, so that’s like my thing.”
Defense was extra important for Columbia River on a night when the Rapids shot just 12 for 51 (23.5%) from the field. When shots aren’t falling, a big defensive play can still raise the team’s energy, Dukes said.
“I like that it hypes up the team,” Dukes said. “When my team is hyped, that’s what pushes me to get those steals.”
— Micah Rice
Titans cherish dome experience
Making the program’s first state appearance since 2020 when it placed fifth, the Union Titans still soaked up playing in the Tacoma Dome, despite a 60-49 season-ending defeat to Glacier Peak on Wednesday.
“It was amazing,” junior guard Brooklynn Haywood said. “My eighth grade year, I got to watch games here and I always like, ‘I really want to play here.” Walking in here (Wednesday), I had the biggest smile on my face just looking around and really taking it in. It’s sad to leave so soon.”
— Meg Wochnick
