Photo courtesy of Warden athletics
Road to Spokane: WIAA Class 2B Hardwood Classic state girls basketball preview
The 2021-22 WIAA basketball season is down to its final week, and the 12 remaining Class 2B girls basketball programs are due to arrive soon in Spokane.
Here is SBLive WA's tournament preview - with players to watch, team favorites, schedules and championship game predictions:
COVERAGE REWIND
* Liberty of Spangle ends Warden's 35-game winning streak at regionals
* Class 2B girls basketball regional-round preview
* Final Class 2B girls basketball rankings, Feb. 21
WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE
Raymond's Kyra Gardner, a WSU signee, is arguably the toughest player to stop in the tournament.
Photo by Todd Milles
No. 11 Rainier (18-7) vs. No. 6 Lake Roosevelt (18-3), 9 a.m.
Winner plays No. 4 Okanogan (22-2) on Thursday
No. 10 Wahkiakum (19-6) vs. No. 2 Warden (22-1), 10:30 a.m.
Winner plays No. 1 La Conner (21-1) on Thursday
No. 12 Mabton (17-8) vs. No. 5 Raymond (18-2), 12:15 p.m.
Winner plays No. 3 Colfax (19-1) on Thursday
No. 9 Adna (20-7) vs. No. 8 Chief Leschi (14-5), 2 p.m.
Winner plays No. 7 Liberty of Spangle (19-2) on Thursday
State semifinals Friday: 3:45 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
State championship Saturday: 5 p.m.
FAVORITE
The last time Warden played in a state tournament, it was the 1A ranks in 2020 when the Cougars placed sixth in Yakima.
Photo courtesy of Warden athletics
Was this the wake-up call Warden needed? After winning the unofficial spring '2B title over La Conner, the Cougars were cruising until last weekend when they lost to Liberty of Spangle in the regional round. Team still has best physical talent in the field, and if senior Kiana Rios catches fire, watch out in Spokane.
FIELD
Beastly Northwest District champion La Conner certainly can stake its claim to the favorite tab, especially after claiming the 1-seed by the WIAA selection committee. Shooters everywhere, and tempo wears opponents down. ... With an impressive district title-game win over Liberty, Colfax has emerged as likely the third-best team in the classification - and is on the opposite side of Warden-La Conner. Asher Cai can light it up from anywhere on the floor. ... And what about those Lancers, led by sophomore Teagan Colvin? They are not to be underestimated in their defense of the 2020 state championship.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liberty of Spangle point guard Teagan Colvin might be the best player in Spokane basketball, regardless of classification.
Photo by Todd Milles
G Asher Cai, Colfax, sr.
PG Teagan Colvin, Liberty of Spangle, soph.
G/F Sarah Cook, La Conner, sr.
PG Kyra Gardner, Raymond, sr.
F Kiana Rios, Warden, sr.
FINAL FOUR TEAMS
Okanogan, Warden, Colfax, Liberty of Spangle
CHAMPIONSHIP PICK
Warden 70, Colfax 63
TICKET INFO
Four-day tournament pass is $50 for adults, $38 for students and senior citizens. Three-day tournament pass is $38/$30. Non-championship (Wed.-Fri.) single-day tickets are $15/$12. Championship (Sat.) single-day tickets are $16/$13.
(Photo courtesy of Warden athletics)
