Lake Stevens girls rally, top Monroe 55-52

LAKE STEVENS — After trailing for most of three quarters, the Lake Stevens girls basketball team scored the first seven points of the final period for a lead it never lost.

And even though the Vikings still had some white-knuckle moments down the stretch, they held on for a 55-52 victory over rival Monroe on Wednesday night in a showdown of two top Wesco 4A teams.

The outcome clinches at least a share of the Wesco title for Lake Stevens, which improved its league mark to 11-1, 16-2 overall. The young Vikings, who have just two varsity seniors, lead Monroe and Snohomish by two games in the conference standings with two games to play.

“Our last league title was 2012,” said Lake Stevens coach Randall Edens, “so for this group to do that for as young as we are, I’m pumped. I want our young kids to go through moments like this. I want them to have that success. I want them to feel that joy, that exhilaration.”

Lake Stevens got all but two of its points from four players — senior forward Emily Vandegrift, senior guard Alex Briggs, freshman forward Kylee Griffen and junior forward Hailey Wilson. The 6-foot-1 Vandegrift was particularly big for the Vikings, leading all scorers with 19 points.

“She’s the hub of what we do,” Edens said. “Without her we’re a totally different team. The girls feed off of her energy and her relentlessness and just her passion for the game. She’s a classic lead-by-example player, and if we could embody her in all of our players … that’s what we’d want.”

Briggs, meanwhile, had just three field goals, but they were all 3-pointers at pivotal times. The first came in the second quarter, cutting a six-point Monroe lead in half, and the other two came in the fourth as the Vikings finally went on top to stay.

Early in the game, Edens said, “I thought early we were a little awestruck and on our heels. … But Alex and Emily have been through some big moments, so we try to lean on them and say, ‘Hey, we need you to lead by example and kind of help these guys through, one moment at a time, one play at a time.’ And I thought for the most part they did a really good job.”

Griffen, a first-year player with a lot of promise, contributed 17 points while Wilson chipped in eight.

In the game’s final frantic moments, both teams struggled at the offensive end. Neither team scored a field goal over the last 31/2 minutes until Monroe’s Kylee Ferreira launched a 3-pointer from near midcourt that swished at the game-ending buzzer.

The Bearcats had several chances to cut into Lake Stevens’ lead down the stretch, but were undone by a succession of missed shots and turnovers. The Vikings, meanwhile, had their opportunities at the free-throw line in the closing moments, but missed five attempts in a row — including twice on the first try of a one-and-one — before Griffen finally converted once with four seconds remaining.

“I wish we would’ve shot some free throws a little bit better down the stretch,” Edens said. “We’re way better than that. But that also shows our youth and inexperience in those kind of moments.”

Monroe, which had given the Vikings their only league loss earlier this season, was led by Ferreira’s 16 points, including four 3-pointers.

At Lake Stevens H.S.

Monroe 14 14 13 11 —52

Lake Stevens 8 16 17 14 —55

Monroe—Kylee Ferreira 16, Corrina Roppo 0, Jadynn Alexander 8, Emily Donnelly 7, Hannah Drivstuen 4, Alex Alexander 6, Chelsea Santjer 4, Amber Van Brunt 6, Loryn Moore 1. Lake Stevens—Alex Briggs 9, Emma Smith 0, Kristen Glick 0, Anna Dominick 2, Ashley Richardson 0, Emily Vandegrift 19, Kylee Griffen 17, Hailey Wilson 8. 3-point goals—Ferreira 4, Briggs 3. Records—Monroe 9-3 league, 13-5 overall. Lake Stevens 11-1, 16-2.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

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.

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.

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

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… 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.