Runnin’ through WIAA Class 2A girls basketball regionals: Ellensburg gets home game in next title-defense step
With the 16-team field set for regional round of the 2022-23 WIAA Class 2A girls basketball tournament, here is SBLive WA’s weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch – and game score predictions:
CLASS 2A GIRLS REGIONALS
Photo by Jerrel Swenning
TOP BILLING
On a state-best 47-game winning streak, lock-and-loaded Ellensburg was the only choice - and likely will be as well when all finishes up in March.
BEST BET TO SCORE 30
CWU guard signee Annalee Coronado has both the cat-like moves and high-level smarts to figure out any defense - and score efficiently.
RIDE THIS DARKHORSE
No double-digit seed has No. 10 Othello's firepower with 1,000-point career scorers Annalee Coronado and Briana Andrade. In good form.
PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
Photo by Todd Milles
No. 1 Ellensburg (21-0) vs. No. 8 Sequim (20-2)
8 p.m. Friday, Ellensburg High School
Skinny: Tough spot for 2A Olympic champions, who have one of state's unheralded playmakers in F Jolene Vaara. Ellensburg's multi-layered pressure chews up and spits out even the best ball-handlers.
Pick: Ellensburg, 75-49.
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No. 2 Lynden (20-4) vs. No. 7 White River (18-6)
8 p.m. Saturday, Mount Vernon High School
Skinny: These programs aren't strangers to each other - or to important late-February games. Lions' size advantage and 3-point shooting efficiency might be difference, but both young teams have better days ahead.
Pick: Lynden, 57-43.
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No. 3 Burlington-Edison (17-6) vs. No. 6 W.F. West (19-4)
2 p.m. Saturday, Mount Vernon High School
Skinny: Sophomore power! Tigers' biggest group of next-wave talent is in class of 2025 - and then there is C Julia Dalan, who has emerged as an all-state candidate for W.F. West.
Pick: Burlington-Edison, 47-41.
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No. 4 Prosser (17-7) vs. No. 5 Tumwater (19-4)
6 p.m. Friday, Davis High School, Yakima
Skinny: As a No. 11 seed a year ago, Mustangs stormed the tournament all the way to the semifinals. And with a much younger group, they have not backed off since. Fun, scoring shootout potential here.
Pick: Prosser, 65-61.
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WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
Photo by Will Rice/Will Rice Photography
No. 9 Sehome (18-5) vs. No. 16 Sammamish (18-6)
8 p.m. Friday, Mount Vernon High School
Skinny: Bad matchup for Red Hawks, who lack quickness to stay with Sehome guards Madi Cooper and Emmy Hart around 3-point line.
Pick: Sehome, 61-40.
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No. 10 Othello (16-9) vs. No. 15 Mark Morris (17-7)
6 p.m. Friday, Ellensburg High School
Skinny: Down year for 2A GSHL, but not for PG Isabella Merzoian, who will need to be near-perfect on both ends for Monarchs to pull off shocker.
Pick: Othello, 56-41.
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No. 11 Renton (18-4) vs. No. 14 Port Angeles (13-10)
6 p.m. Friday, Auburn Mountainview High School
Skinny: Surprise District 3 winner has veteran team, along with rim-protecting C Nyachang Luok, to beat Roughriders in these playoffs again.
Pick: Renton, 42-36.
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No. 12 Enumclaw (17-6) vs. No. 13 Columbia River (17-5)
2 p.m. Saturday, Auburn High School
Skinny: Rapids' shutdown defensive cast full of volleyball and soccer title winners. Can it fluster F Bella Firnkoess and company into submission?
Pick: Enumclaw, 33-29.
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