Snohomish girls beat Monroe, claim first-round bye

MONROE — If Tuesday’s girls basketball game between Snohomish and Monroe turns out to be a preview of one of the semifinals of the 4A district 1 tournament on Saturday, what a game it will be.

The Panthers outlasted the Bearcats 33-31 to claim the No. 2 seed in the district tournament, which includes a first-round bye. Monroe takes the No. 3 seed, meaning they will face either Mariner or Mount Vernon on Thursday. If the Bearcats win that game, they will face Snohomish again on Saturday.

“We have a situation where if you win you have a bye and then you come back (to play) and there’s a good chance Monroe comes through, so you’re seeing the same team twice in a row” Snohomish head coach Ken Roberts said. “They wanted to win and we wanted to win, first-round bye or not. It was just a good basketball game.”

But that doesn’t mean the Panthers won’t take advantage of a few extra days to prepare for Saturday’s district semifinals.

“We’ll take a day off tomorrow, so that’s nice,” Roberts said. “We’ve got some kids sick and they’re hurting. A couple of them couldn’t play very long, but they did a good job of giving us what they could.”

Monroe held a 9-4 lead at the end of the first quarter, but 11 points from the Panthers in the second quarter was enough to tie the game at 15 at halftime. Snohomish played much of the first half without leading scorer Madeline Smith, who struggled with foul trouble.

“I think Maddie played five minutes in the first half and that’s tough on us,” Roberts said. “Shaylee (Harwood) was in foul trouble and Darian Rielly was really sick. I could give her two minutes at a time and she was done. It was interesting just managing and trying to get through the second half.”

But the Panthers did it well.

Snohomish scored the first points of the second half to take its first lead since the early moments of the game. Harwood led the Panthers with eight points in the third quarter that helped them build a 27-23 lead going into the fourth.

“She’s always working hard,” Roberts said. “She’s got the ability to get to the hoop on just about anybody. Her biggest thing is just knowing when to and when not to. She thinks she can get every ball in the gym and I kind of told her if you have to dive through somebody’s legs avoiding their feet and another person’s hands that are on the ball then you should probably let them have it that time. You see some of that sometimes, but she’s really throttled that back and takes her opportunities to get the ball now. Without her, we’re not even in that game I don’t think.”

The Panthers led 33-31 when the Bearcats called a timeout with possession of the ball and 7.5 seconds to play in the game. Monroe head coach Matt Chalfant set up a play for sophomore Jadynn Alexander, who came around a screen and had a good look at the basket from the baseline, but her shot was long and Snohomish grabbed the rebound with 0.2 seconds remaining.

“She came around there hard. It was a tough shot,” Roberts said. “You’re going full speed with a lot of hands up there, that’s a tough shot to make. She’s athletic as can be, so you’re always worried.”

Everything about the play was exactly what Chalfant wanted, except for the result.

“The girls executed perfectly,” he said. “I told Jadynn, ‘Do not put that burden on you.’ I kind of equated it to a field-goal kicker. A field-goal kicker misses that big field goal and they don’t win the game and people point, but that’s not why (they lost). So I made sure she understood that. I was happy with the look that we got.”

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.