EVERETT — With a 15-point lead and two minutes left in the third quarter, it looked like smooth sailing for the Monroe girls basketball team.
As it turned out, the game’s final 10 minutes were anything but smooth for the Bearcats.
Monroe managed just four points in the midst of a game-ending scoring drought, but it was just enough to hold off hard-closing Lake Stevens, 46-45, in the runner-up game of the District 1 tournament at Everett Community College.
After taking a 42-27 lead with 2:05 remaining in the third period, the Bearcats had just one field goal the rest of the way. Meanwhile, Monroe’s aggressive defense was putting Lake Stevens on the free throw line and the Vikings converted 13 attempts in that same stretch, though they also had eight costly misses.
In the late seconds, Lake Stevens had two chances for the lead and perhaps the win. One came from about 15 feet left of the key and the other was a desperation heave at the final buzzer, but both missed.
“In this situation,” said Matt Chalfant, Monroe’s greatly relieved coach, “a win’s a win.”
The victory clinched a spot in the state regional round for the Bearcats, who raised their season record to 18-7.
After losing to Western Conference North rival Snohomish earlier in the tournament, Monroe had to win three consecutive loser-out games. The Bearcats responded by beating Kamiak, Jackson and then Lake Stevens.
Following the Snohomish defeat, “these girls were devastated,” Chalfant said. “I just challenged them. I said, ‘If we’re going to go down, we’re going to go down swinging.’ And they have absolutely proven to me how much they want this. They truly have, in my opinion, the heart of a champion.”
Against Lake Stevens, the Bearcats had two players foul out while others had to sit out for stretches because of foul trouble. Going to his bench, Chalfant got important contributions from three players who have seen spot duty this season — guard Corrina Roppo, and forwards Chelsea Santjer and Loryn Moore.
“Those three had to come in and play some significant minutes,” Chalfant said. “They got some big rebounds and made some big shots, so I’m real proud of those three.”
Center Amber Van Brunt led Monroe with 17 points.
Lake Stevens, meanwhile, saw a promising season come to an abrupt and painful close. The Vikings needed one win in their final two games to reach the regional round, but instead lost to Snohomish and Monroe.
“We gave away some easy opportunities and some free throws, especially in the fourth quarter,” said coach Randall Edens. “Obviously in a close game like that you’ve got to have those little opportunities.
“We had to keep grinding to give ourselves a chance late,” he added. “And if we could’ve just had the ball bounce a couple of different ways, it would’ve been good.”
At Everett CC
Monroe 18 11 13 4 —46
Lake Stevens 8 10 16 11 —45
Monroe—Kylee Ferreira 8, Corrina Roppo 0, Emily Donnelly 6, Hannah Drivstuen 7, Alex Alexander 6, Chelsea Santjer 2, Amber Van Brunt 17, Loryn Moore 0. Lake Stevens—Alex Briggs 9, Emma Smith 3, Kristen Glick 0, Anna Lundquist 0, Marissa Walton 3, Emily Vandegrift 15, Kylee Griffen 10, Hailey Wilson 5. 3-point goals—Kylee Ferreira 2, Hannah Drivstuen 1, Amber Van Brunt 1, Alex Briggs 2, Emma Smith 1. Records—Monroe 18-7, Lake Stevens 18-5.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
