BELLEVUE — For most 3A girls basketball teams in Washington State, drawing two-time defending state champion Cleveland in a loser-out state regional game would be an overwhelming task. For a Glacier Peak team that has played No. 1-ranked Lynnwood three times — winning one — and No. 6 Arlington twice — winning both — the Eagles were just another opponent.
Glacier Peak wasn’t intimidated for Saturday’s state regional game, but neither were the champs. The Grizzlies controlled the majority of the first half before Cleveland closed the second quarter with an 8-0 run to take a two-point lead at halftime. That momentum carried over in the second half and the Eagles held on for a 62-52 win, ending the Grizzlies’ season.
“I thought we came out really aggressive and we wanted to show everybody — and I don’t know that anybody ever doubted we should be here — who we are and that we deserve to be there,” Glacier Peak head coach Brian Hill said. “Things were going well and I thought we were pretty relaxed, but the stakes of the game, you could just feel the tension building as things kind of unraveled.”
It’s the second straight season the Grizzlies have lost in the regional round after falling to Mercer Island last year.
Glacier Peak led 14-9 after one and held a six-point lead late in the second quarter before the Eagles made a run to take a 24-22 lead at halftime. A fast paced first 16 minutes took its toll on the Grizzlies.
“I think we were getting tired,” Hill said. “The girls that were on the court had played a long time and we were getting a little complacent defensively. We were playing defense, but it wasn’t as good as we were playing.”
The Grizzlies had the intermission to rest, but it didn’t help their struggling offense. Cleveland opened the third quarter with a 10-2 run and closed it with an 11-2 run to take a 47-33 lead heading into the final period.
Cleveland’s Aqeelah Williams scored 10 of her 20 points in the third quarter, including two 3-pointers that clearly gave the Eagles momentum.
The Eagles made just five of their 20 attempts from long range, but three of them came in the third quarter.
“We knew that they had some people that can hit 3s, but we also kind of knew that was their Achilles’ heel,” Hill said. “If they weren’t hitting them it gives us the ball back with lots of shot clock left, so we can dictate the tempo of the game.”
For the most part Hill’s plan worked, except in the third quarter when it didn’t.
Glacier Peak cut Cleveland’s lead down to seven with just over two minutes to play in the game, but that’s as close as the Grizzlies would get in the final quarter. It didn’t help that the Grizzlies shot 0-for-13 from 3-point range for the game.
The Grizzlies finish the season 20-4 with some very impressive wins on their resume, but their season ends with two consecutive losses — one to the No. 1-ranked Royals in the district championship game and the other to the two-time defending champs on Saturday.
“To be the best you’ve got to beat the best and I thought we were playing with the best teams,” Hill said. “I thought we were right there. I still think we’re right there. I would roll the ball out against Cleveland right now if we could and I think we’d beat them. I’m not trying to be cocky or arrogant, I just think we’re a good team. We had a couple of lapses. I’d go play them again.”
The Grizzlies will return most of their squad next season, but Saturday’s loss was the final game for seniors Sadie Mensing and Kianna Garner.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play on varsity all four years,” Mensing said. “I just have some of the best teammates and memories I could have. We’ve made regionals every year and I got to play at the Dome once, which is probably the best thing I’ve ever got to do. When I’m older I’m just going to remember my team and how much fun we had and how awesome they are. I played with some amazing girls and I’m really lucky to be a part of this program.”
In her final game, Mensing led the Grizzlies with 19 points and shot 7-for-14 from the floor.
“Sadie’s a great kid,” Hill said. “She’ll be hard to replace next year. She does everything. She has 19 (points) and I think it was pretty quiet. It wasn’t like they were trying to key in and stop her. She’s physical inside and she can shoot from the outside. She has the determination that’s unmatched by a lot of players. Her sheer determination and will, along with the skill that she has, makes her a phenomenal basketball player. If I had to put together a team from (players) around the state, Sadie would be one of my top people just because of the person that she is and what she brings to the court. I love her to death.”
At Bellevue College
Glacier Peak 14 8 11 19 —52
Cleveland 9 15 23 15 —62
Glacier Peak—Paisley Johnson 4, Samantha Fatkin 6, Sadie Mensing 19, Kayla Watkins 14, Natalie Rasmussen 4, Sierra Nash 0, Kianna Garner 5, Abbie Juozapaitis 0. Cleveland—Ryshel Sampson 0, Teja Kirby 0, Zakeya Flowers 2, Myla Hightower 15, Jayde Christopher 9, Ryshun Sampson 0, Giavanni Flowers 8, Aqeelah Williams 20, Joyce Harrell 7, Ti’Erycka Clark 1. 3-point goals—Flowers 2, Williams 3. Records—Glacier Peak 20-4, Cleveland 18-8.
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