Runnin’ through Class 2B girls basketball regionals: Co-favorites La Conner, Warden start collision-course journey to state title game
With the 16-team field set for regional round of the WIAA Class 2B girls basketball tournament, here is SBLive WA’s weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch – and game score predictions:
FINAL SBLIVE WA GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS
CLASS 2B GIRLS REGIONALS
TOP BILLING
In the end, La Conner gets No. 1 seed over Warden because of body of work, especially strength of schedule beating bigger schools.
BEST BET TO SCORE 30
WSU signee Kyra Gardner is the toughest 1v1 matchup in 2B, and is coming off a 38-point effort for Raymond in the district title game.
RIDE THIS DARKHORSE
Took a while, but 9-seed Adna is rolling, winner of 12 of its past 13 games. Group can shoot it, and has interior anchor in Karlee VonMoos.
PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
No. 1 La Conner (20-1) vs. No. 8 Chief Leschi (14-4)
Noon Saturday, Everett Community College
Skinny: In state tournament for first time, Warriors are classification's feel-good story. But high-pressure Braves don't have time for fairy tales.
Pick: La Conner, 74-48.
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No. 2 Warden (22-0) vs. No. 7 Liberty of Spangle (18-2)
6 p.m. Friday, Wenatchee High School
Skinny: Will be interesting chess game pitting Warden's defensive pressure against guard Teagan Colvin. Eventually, deeper Cougars win out.
Pick: Warden, 69-54.
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No. 3 Colfax (18-1) vs. No. 6 Lake Roosevelt (18-2)
8 p.m. Friday, University High School
Skinny: Raiders handle pressure. They apply pressure. But nobody really has matchup answer for 6-foot-2 Bulldogs ninth grader Brynn McGaughy.
Pick: Colfax, 68-57.
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No. 4 Okanogan (21-2) vs. No. 5 Raymond (18-1)
2 p.m. Saturday, Wenatchee High School
Skinny: Bulldogs won't stop Kyra Gardner from getting her points, but their fullcourt chaos could shake up rest of Raymond cast to the core.
Pick: Okanogan, 75-66.
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WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
No. 9 Adna (19-7) vs. No. 16 Granger (14-7)
8 p.m. Friday, W.F. West High School
Skinny: Both teams have point guards - Adna's Kaylin Todd and Granger's Jasmin Vasquez - who facilitate well, but Pirates have more punch.
Pick: Adna, 56-46.
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No. 10 Wahkiakum (18-6) vs. No. 15 Tonasket (16-7)
2 p.m. Saturday, Mark Morris High School
Skinny: If Tigers can make it about 84 feet of trapping chaos, led by Jayleen Bello, they have a chance. But balanced Mules handle this drill.
Pick: Wahkiakum, 49-40.
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No. 11 Rainier (17-7) vs. No. 14 Columbia of Burbank (16-6)
6 p.m. Friday, Tumwater High School
Skinny: If it's a clean, free-flowing game - Mountaineers win. If Coyotes can muck it up with extended pressure, they are in comfortable place.
Pick: Columbia of Burbank, 39-37.
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No. 12 Mabton (16-8) vs. No. 13 St. George's (15-9)
6 p.m. Friday, Davis High School
Skinny: Interestingly enough, two of best players in even game are eighth graders - Mabton's Alana Zavala and St. George's Carsyn Gildhaus.
Pick: Mabton, 60-59.
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