Lynnwood girls crank up the pressure in win over Kamiak

BOTHELL — Gone this season is the 2012 senior class that was the catalyst to the turnaround in Lynnwood High School girls basketball. And the off-season Wesco realignment moved the Royals, with a varsity roster that features nary a player 6-feet or taller, from Class 3A to Class 4A.

Anyone watching Lynnwood’s Wesco 4A south opener with Kamiak on Friday night got to see that none of those things will bother the Royals, who cruised to a 69-26 victory over the Knights.

The convincing result seemed to be a bit of a shock to both teams and especially to Kamiak coach Wes Williams, who watched his team go without a field goal for a 20-minute stretch that ran from the second quarter to the final two minutes of the fourth.

“I have no idea (what happened),” Williams said. “We still have work to do.”

The Royals’ defensive pressure seemed to have an accumulative effect as Kamiak was able to withstand it early, but succumbed to the surge and couldn’t figure out how to get back into any semblance of an offensive rhythm.

“We like to press a lot,” Lynnwood’s Grace Douglas said. “We try and get as many steals and overwhelm teams. Today it was working for us and we were talking a lot. We have a lot of good communication.”

Douglas opened the game with a 3, but Kamiak answered with the next two field goals and trailed just 5-4 midway through the first quarter. The Royals, doubleteamed, trapped and pressed, but the Knights looked poised for the first eight minutes.

Lynnwood didn’t shoot particularly well, especially in the first quarter, outside of Douglas, who scored a career-high 19 points, including five 3s on the night.

“Grace Douglas shot the ball well … Grace was hitting everything,” Edwards said. “Thank goodness she was because our outside shots weren’t necessarily falling at the percentage that we are used to. Grace kinda carried us through until we got a bit of a cushion.”

The Knights converted more field goals than Lynnwood in the first quarter, but Douglas’ three 3s and Jasmine Edwards’ five free throws pushed the Royals to a 19-14 edge. Edwards finished second on the team with 14 points.

Kamiak continued to hang around until the mid-point of the second quarter when the Royals’ Mikayla Pivec sparked a 12-0 run that essentially knocked the Knights out of the game.

Pivec, who was the Royals’ third-highest scorer with nine points, started with a head-turning drive and one-handed shot. The sophomore then turned a steal into a quick transition basket to spark the spurt. The Royals’ defense kept it going the rest of the game.

“The pressure defense,” Williams said. “I had my team prepare for it, but I guess it wasn’t enough.”

In the end Lynnwood aced its first 4A test.

“It was really fun,” Douglas said. “We didn’t really know what to expect, so we just went out there and played hard.”

Tougher tests loom next week when the Royals will take on traditional league powers.

“So far so good,” Edwards said of his team’s 3-0 start. “We have Edmonds-Woodway and Jackson coming up on Wednesday and Friday … it’s going to be big games for us.”

Friday was the first game of the season for senior guard Izzy Maza, who came back from an ankle injury. Freshman Jordyn Edwards (elbow) and sophomore Danielle Hayes (back trouble) sat out with injuries.

But the reserves stepped up and barely skipped a beat when the running clock was evoked and Edwards began subbing liberally in the third quarter.

“If we are a healthy team, I think we are going to be competitive,” Edwards said. “It’s a great sign for our program that we can have injuries and still play at a high level.”

At Lynnwood H.S.

Kamiak14516—26

Lynnwood1919238—69

Kamiak—Tylor Adcock 2, Monique Canda 1, Grace Hamill 2, Katy Hamill 1, Melanie Lachapelle 2, Kaiya Larsen 0, Aubrey Patrick 8, Emily Pillman 4, Tiana Roe 0, Margaret Slack 4, Salena Taylor 2. Lynnwood—Jasmin Edwards 14, Izzy Maza 2, Grace Douglas 19, Mikayla Pivec 9, Nikki Trautman 7, Arsenia Ivanov 6, Linda Wilson 5, Amina Donahoe 4, Chelsea Campbell 3. 3-point goals—Douglas 5, Ivanov 2, Trautman 1. Records—Kamiak 0-1 league, 1-2 overall. Lynnwood 1-0, 3-0.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.