Shorecrest girls beat Seattle Prep, finish 4th at state

TACOMA — With the game on the line, Shorecrest head coach Dori Monson knew exactly what he wanted to do.

He put his five seniors on the floor.

They thanked him, by holding off a last minute attack by Seattle Prep, and winning the state 3A fourth/sixth place game 40-37, bringing home the first ever trophy for the Shorecrest girls basketball program.

“Our seniors will to win is extraordinary,” Monson said. “We’ve never had a season like this in Shorcrest girls’ history. …I wanted to get them all on the floor at the end of the game.”

Brianne Lasconia had 14 of her 22 points in the second half — including the last 11 Scots’ points to seal the victory and ensure that she, and her fellow seniors, left the Tacoma Dome with a win.

“There was definitely a lot of pressure,” Lasconia said. “But we shoot free throws after running at practice, when we’re really tired.”

Lasconia shot 80 percent (12 of 15) from the free throw line. Her secret, she said, is, “I always picture myself making the shot.”

According to Monson, Lasconia, Allison Jones, Mickey Greenburg, Janie Uppinghouse and India Matheson have been playing together for seven years.

Lasconia says the five are “best friends on and off the court.”

“This couldn’t be a better end,” Lasconia said. “But it’s sad it’s ending.”

Matheson scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds and Uppinghouse added six points on two second-half 3-pointers.

Shorecrest had the advantage early, leading by as many as nine. But Seattle Prep went on an 11-0 run between the second and third quarters, and had a 25-24 lead going into the fourth quarter.

But the Scots fought back, and outscored the Panthers 16-12 in the final quarter, thanks largely to Lasconia.

“We always make it exciting,” Monson said.

MaryAnn Santucci had 14 points and five rebounds to lead the Panthers, who finished sixth at the state tournament. Seattle Prep outrebounded Shorecrest 32-27 in a game that featured six ties and four lead changes.

“Seattle Prep’s a great team,” Monson said. “I knew they were not gonna (give up).”

The Scots were assured of being awarded their first trophy in program history before the game even started. Even so, Monson said there was plenty of motivation to finish the year with a win, and earn the higher placing at the 3A state tournament.

“I wanted these girls to go out with a win,” Monson said. “We already had a trophy.”

At the Tacoma Dome

Shorecrest109516–40

Seattle Prep781012–37

Shorecrest–Shattuck 0, Lindsey 0, Lasconia 22, Jones 0, Schlachter 0, Monson 0, Chibuogwu 4, Greenburg 0, Uppinghouse 6, Matheson 8. Seattle Prep–Hall 6, Santucci 14, Glosniak 7, Artison 6, Adler 0, Flor 0, Carew 4. 3-point goals–Uppinghouse 2, Santucci 2, Artison 1. Records–Shorecrest 22-5 overall. Seattle Prep 22-8.

David Krueger covers prep sports for The Herald. Read his live blogs at www.heraldnet.com/prepzone, follow him on twitter @Krueger_David and contact him at dkrueger@heraldnet.com.