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glenn
03-05-2010, 01:10 AM
Always nice to get back to my roots, though I can be at the tournament probably only one day.

I think I see an Auburn Riverside-Garfield championship game, which should be a barnburner.

Riverside has the awfully dynamic duo of Mercedes Wetmore, who was sensational today, and the ever-expanding Kat Cooper, plus a cast that knows how to defend and win.

Its Friday semifinal opponent, Issaquah, is the usual Issaquah: well-coached, hard-working, sweet-shooting. This team doesn't have a lot of size, which is why I'd give Riverside the nod.

As usual, Mead also is very well-coached and Jazmine Redmon (32 points) played as well as I've seen her. Gonzaga, once again, may have stolen a big-timer. Mead also put up big numbers in what has to be considered an upset of Kentwood.

I'm amazed Garfield lost nine games because I'm crazy about that team. The Bulldogs have length and athletes at every position, and are capable of locking down on defense. They executed their halfcourt offense as well as any Garfield team I've seen. If they had a consistent long-distance threat, I'd make them a lock to take it all. Since they don't, there's an x-factor against Mead and likely Riverside.

Best players I saw all day: Cooper, Redmon, Wetmore, Sarah Hartwell of Bellarmine Prep, Kylie Huerta of Kentwood, Betsy Kingma of Newport, Jordan Loera of Moses Lake, Talia Walton of Federal Way. When all is said and done, Garfield sophomore Nyasha Sarju may turn out to be the best college prospect.

RCougs
03-05-2010, 02:08 AM
Final Four

Napavine vs. LaSalle

Colfax vs. Toutle Lake


Quarters

Napavine over Reardan. Both teams looked different than on Wednesday. Napavine played much better overall and did not run out of gas. Reardan looked super on Wednesday but couldn't buy a basket on Thursday - 27% from the field. Reardan frosh Kelsey Moos is very good today and will be an all stater in the future.

LaSalle over Northwest Christian-Lacey. Did not see this game. Saw NWC on Wednesday and while they are not bad, it didn't appear that they would be able to match up with LaSalle.

Colfax over Wahkiakum. Easy win for Colfax. Colfax plays a bit like Mt. Tahoma - never wanting to leave any available fouls on the court. Fast, aggressive and pretty good. A little more under control than Mt. Tahoma but a similar in-your-face, 32 minutes of hell style.

Toutle Lake over Liberty Bell. Best game in the Quarters. Back and forth first half with TL hitting two 3's inside the last minute to trail by only 1. TL then went 4:34 without a point in the 3rd Qtr but only trailed by 5 after they finally scored. The last three minutes saw 5 three pointers - first LB's Shelby Scott hit a three then TL's Shelby Wason answered. Scott hit another on the next LB possession - and on the second TL possession Wason answered again. Toutle ended up on top 51-49


Napavine-LaSalle should be a great game. Rematch of the 2008 Title game and a 2009 Semi-Final. Each team won once. LaSalle won in at the SunDome this season 52-37.

Colfax-Toutle Lake may be another lopsided Colfax victory. Toutle just doesn't have the depth or the skills to play 32 with Colfax.

I would bet on Colfax in the final vs. either Napavine of LaSalle. That would be 2 straight 2B titles after winning 3 of the last 4 1A title.


Best Players - thru Thursday

Kelsey Moos - Reardan Fr
Caitlin Duncan - DeSales Sr
Melanie Shank - Tacoma Baptist Sr (37 Thursday vs. Asotin)
Kayla Johnson - Colfax Sr
Kayleigh Maltone - Colfax Sr


Of Note:
Asotin is coached by Kopper Blunt - formerly Campbell - from Clarkston. Kopper played for the first Puget Sound (Columbia) Cascades summer team to win the Oregon City/End of the Trail Tournament.