PUYALLUP — With both teams missing key players it was the Arlington girls that overcame the best.
Eagles freshman post Jayla Russ scored 15 points in the absence of Ronnie Ladines and Arlington withstood a late charge by Todd Beamer to win the 4A state regional game 50-42 at Puyallup H.S. on Friday night.
Arlington advances to next week’s quarterfinals at the Tacoma Dome.
On a night when the Todd Beamer Titans desperately needed a clutch 3-pointer to help swing momentum or quickly cut a large deficit in a short time, they were without their best long-range weapon on the floor. Sharp-shooting freshman Quinessa Caylao-Do was sidelined with her arm in a sling.
“She’s a big part of our offense and a big part of our defense,” Beamer coach Cory Alexander said of Caylao-Do. “She’s our spark plug.”
Arlington (20-4) jumped out to an early lead but the Titans put on a late rally to make things interesting. Trailing 42-30 with 5 minutes, 40 seconds left, Beamer trimmed it to 44-41 with 1:13 left after Nia Alexander converted on 3-point play. But the Eagles didn’t panic and hit their free throws in crunch time, going 4-of-4 from the line in the final minute.
At Puyallup H.S.
Arlington 13 11 13 13 — 50
Todd Beamer 9 6 11 16 — 42
Arlington—Taylor Graham 8, Lindsay Brown 6, Krista Showalter 6, Emma Janousek 1, Jessica Ludwig 0, Winter Brown 10, Jayla Russ 15, Lyndsay Leatherman 4, Marissa Swegle 0. Todd Beamer—Bria Rice 7, Carrie Lyn Ramos 3, Talia Culp 2, Nia Alexander 15, Megan Huff 15, Sophie Afework 0, Makayla Sullivan 0, Meranda Vaara 0. 3-point goals—xxx. Records—Arlington 20-4 overall. Todd Beamer 20-6.
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