Runnin' through WIAA Class 4A girls basketball regionals: Are Woodinville, Camas speeding toward showdown?
With the 16-team field set for regional round of the 2022-23 WIAA Class 4A girls basketball tournament, here is SBLive WA’s weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch – and game score predictions:
CLASS 4A GIRLS REGIONALS
Photo courtesy of Brenda Hartline-Juarez
TOP BILLING
Is Woodinville or Camas the deserved No. 1 team? Flip a coin - both have complete rosters and have dominated in-state competition.
BEST BET TO SCORE 30
It's rare to find a three-level scorer in high school, but Davis junior Esmeralda Galindo is that. She can get 30 points in her sleep.
RIDE THIS DARKHORSE
There aren't many No 11 seeds that have a legitimate shot to win a state title, but Bellarmine Prep has unquestioned guard talent to do so.
PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
Taylor Balkom, SBLive Sports
No. 1 Woodinville (24-1) vs. No. 8 Emerald Ridge (19-6)
6 p.m. Saturday, Lake Washington High School, Kirkland
Skinny: Defending state champions have been rolling since loss to Lynden Christian, but will run into a squad with a more physical brand than any opponent the Falcons have seen.
Pick: Woodinville, 56-45.
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No. 2 Camas (21-2) vs. No. 7 Kamiakin (20-3)
6 p.m. Friday, Battle Ground High School
Skinny: One thing that has thrown the Papermakers off in close games, including losses, is relentless pressure - and Braves' guards excel at that from 3-point line to 3-point line.
Pick: Camas, 64-58.
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No. 3 Tahoma (21-3) vs. No. 6 Davis of Yakima (19-2)
6 p.m. Saturday, Auburn High School
Skinny: Potential high-scoring doozy as both teams like to get up and down the floor. Difference might be the Bears' zone defense, which continues to be more effective getting stops.
Pick: Tahoma, 71-60.
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No. 4 Eastlake (19-6) vs. No. 5 Sumner (21-5)
6 p.m. Friday, Lake Washington High School, Kirkland
Skinny: This is time of season when Sara Goldie's group usually plays its best ball, and if Wolves can solve Sumner's defensive heat, forward Ava Schmidt should feast around the basket.
Pick: Eastlake, 48-43.
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WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
Photo by Todd Milles
No. 9 Richland (18-5) vs. No. 16 Olympia (15-12)
6 p.m. Saturday, Richland High School
Skinny: Bombers coming off District 8 title - and now they get a home regional playoff game? Pretty good path back to the Tacoma Dome.
Pick: Richland, 51-39.
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No. 10 Bothell (19-6) vs. No. 15 Sunnyside (15-7)
4 p.m. Saturday, Lake Washington High School, Kirkland
Skinny: Pace should be biggest factor as underrated 4A KingCo squad is methodical halfcourt machine -and young Grizzlies want to run.
Pick: Bothell, 56-50.
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No. 11 Bellarmine Prep (20-7) vs. No. 14 Mount Si (16-10)
Noon Saturday, Tacoma Community College
Skinny: Final 4A KingCo entrant is playing best ball right now - but has huge task ahead corralling Lions' electrifying perimeter playmakers.
Pick: Bellarmine Prep, 66-52.
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No. 12 Gonzaga Prep (17-7) vs. No. 13 Decatur (17-7)
Noon Saturday, West Valley High School, Spokane Valley
Skinny: If Bullpups are allowed to freely get out and run - they should win. But Gators have a tendency to not allow that to happen.
Pick: Gonzaga Prep, 43-41.
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