Northwest 3A District roundup: Meadowdale moves closer to state berth
MOUNT VERNON — The Meadowdale Mavericks remember being eliminated from last season's district basketball tournament by a Sehome team marching through the consolation bracket toward a state berth. But when the teams met again in last night's Northwest 3A District semifinals, it wasn't revenge that motivated Meadowdale the most.
As the Mavericks exploded through the gates and earned a 49-37 victory over the Mariners, they were dreaming of a trip to the state tournament. To make that a reality, Meadowdale (16-6) needs just one more win — either in Wednesday's final or in the consolation bracket on March 1.
"We were thinking about it, and we wanted to beat this team," said Mavericks forward Tyler Milam, who scored nine points. "But we just want to go to state."
Meadowdale plays Bellingham in the winner-to-state district championship game Wednesday at Mount Vernon High School at 8 p.m. Bellingham beat Squalicum 66-58 in the other semifinal last night.
Sehome (14-8) dropped into the consolation bracket.
With aggressive defensive play from the opening tip, Meadowdale made it a struggle for Sehome inside. The Mariners couldn't pull down offensive rebounds, their close shots were blocked or misfired, and their passes into the paint were frequently thwarted as Meadowdale stuffed the area under the basket with three players.
While this strategy helped the Mavericks take a 15-7 lead and limit Sehome to just two field goals in the opening quarter, it also gave the Mariners several trips to the free-throw line. Sehome took six foul shots in the first seven minutes of the contest. But Meadowdale, which outrebounded the Mariners 27-18, toned down and was not called for another foul until the third quarter.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks' shooters were making noise from three-point territory. Meadowdale made five first-half three-pointers to earn a 23-13 advantage at halftime, and added three more in the second. Junior guard Larod Lover, who scored 15 points in addition to nine rebounds, five assists and four steals, sank two long-distance shots in the first half.
Other games
Bellingham 66, Squalicum 58 — Tim Sellereit scored 21 points as Bellingham (17-5) won its third game over its crosstown rival. John Ellingson scored 13 points for the Storm (12-9).
Sedro-Woolley 71, Lynnwood 62 (OT) — Lynnwood had a 12-point lead in the third quarter but couldn't hold on and had its season ended with the overtime loss in the district tournament at Skagit Valley College. Sedro went 6 for 6 at the free-throw line in the overtime. Drew Matzen scored 23 points and Robbie Alexander 12 for Lynnwood (7-15). Jon Baird led the Cubs with 20 points.
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