Shorecrest, Shorewood teams In District Playoffs this weekend

By Frank Workman

Both the boys and girls teams from 2A Shorecrest, and the boys and girls teams from 3A Shorewood have qualified for their respective WIAA District One basketball tournaments that begin this weekend.

Friday night the Shorecrest boys (9-3 in league, 13-7 overall) open their defense of last year's District Championship at home against Sehome (9-3, 15-6) from the Northwest Conference. Tip-off is 7pm. 

The 2A ranks include teams from the Northwest and Cascade Conferences - leagues that the Scots seldom face. The Scots finished second in Wesco 3A South this season. They graduated eight of their nine regulars from last year's team, but this season's squad has gelled with many new players under the guidance of Coach Brian Fischer, and it may be that the rigorous slate of games Shorecrest has faced will make them battle-tested when they face the smaller 2A schools. Sharpshooting junior guard Drew Magaoay, energetic senior Brantle Harris, and rising 6' 7" freshman Philip Pepple give opposing teams plenty to concern themselves with when the Scots have the ball.

All subsequent tournament games will be held at the venerable, old, they-don't-make-them-like that-anymore gym at Mount Vernon HS.

Full 2A boys bracket is here.     

Four teams will qualify for the round-of-sixteen Regionals.

Saturday night the Shorecrest girls (5-7, 10-10) host Lakewood at 7pm in a first-round game. Like the boys, the tournament then moves to Mount Vernon HS. Coach Dori Monson's girls could be a tough out, as the speed of junior Wurrie Njadoe and the size of junior Uju Chibuogwu make for match-up problems for every opponent, as does the Scots' stifling zone defense.

Full 2A girls bracket is here.

Across town, the Shorewood girls (5-7, 10-10) will have their hands full Friday night at 7pm when they travel to play #1 seed Arlington (10-0, 18-2), and will have a tough row to hoe in order to advance. Coach Erica Ryan will rely on junior Lily Gustafson to lift the T-Birds in what promises to be the most hotly-contested District tournaments in years. Lynnwood (11-1, 18-2) has been ranked #1 in the state for most of the season, but they were recently beaten by streaking Glacier Peak (10-2, 18-2). Ferndale (9-3, 17-3) comes down from the NW Conference with an impressive record, and Stanwood (8-2, 16-4) is always well-coached by Dennis Kloke. Edmonds-Woodway (9-3, 16-4) has been in the top ten for most of the season, but recent dismantlings by Lynnwood and Glacier Peak are apt to have shaken their confidence and will test the Warriors' resolve.

Winners' bracket games will be held at Jackson HS.

Full 3A girls bracket is here.

The Shorewood boys (7-5, 9-11) open play at home on Saturday at 7pm against Arlington (5-5, 13-7).  Coach Corey O'Hayre is the fourth T-Birds coach in as many years, They have a balanced attack behind Jordan Muir-Keung, Brandon Mar, and the Kirk brothers, Sean and Ian, all of whom are averaging double-figures for the season.

Stanwood (10-0, 16-4), Glacier Peak (11-1, 16-4), and Ferndale (8-4, 14-6) are favored to be the three teams to advance to the Regional round.

As with the girls 3A tournament, the winners' bracket games will be held at Jackson HS.

Full 3A boys bracket is here.