Hazen only led Enumclaw for just over two minutes in the entire game Friday night. Fortunately for the Highlanders, it was the final two minutes.
Hazen beat Enumclaw 44-42 Feb. 20 at Auburn Mountainview to earn the Seamount/SPSL’s fifth seed at districts.
Through the first half, everything seemed to be working against Hazen.
Enumclaw’s senior-laden group clogged passing lanes well and disrupted the younger Highlanders’ offense.
Hazen leaders Darralita Taylor and Airashay Rogers each picked up two fouls in the first quarter.
Taylor picked up her third early in the second quarter and had to take the bench.
Despite how momentum of the game felt, the Highlanders trailed by only five points at the half.
In the third quarter, Rogers put on a show for Hazen. She scored seven straight points over a one-minute period and 11 total points in the quarter.
Hazen battled back into the game and when Taylor made two free throws with two minutes and 17 seconds left in the game, she gave her team a 43-42 lead – its first lead of the game.
The two teams scrapped over the final minutes and Rogers added another point via a free throw with nine seconds left. Enumclaw brought the ball back down the court and was unable to get a final shot off.
Hazen played White River in the first round of districts Wednesday night. If Hazen won, it will play again March 6 at 6 p.m. at Auburn High School. If Hazen lost, it will play Friday at 8 p.m. at Clover Park High School.
Auburn Mountainview 48, Lindbergh 27
Sometimes all it takes is one big quarter to change an entire game. Lindbergh led 10-3 heading into the second quarter Feb. 20, but Auburn Mountainview outscored the Eagles 23-6 in that period and never looked back.
Auburn Mountainview won 48-27 and took the Seamount/SPSL’s seventh seed to districts. Lindbergh took the eighth seed.
Lindbergh struggled offensively and scored just 17 points in the final three quarters. Marcissa McMillan led the Eagles with 13 points.
Ida Huners and Stephanie Smolinski led the Lions with 12 points each.
Lindbergh played the first round of the district tournament Wednesday against Camas. If the Eagles won, they will play against Friday night at 6 p.m. at Clover Park High School. If the Eagles lost, they are out.
