Mount Rainier continued unbeaten in girls basketball with a convincing 69-28 thumping of visiting Tahoma in the first half of a boys' and girls' doubleheader night of basketball in Des Moines.

Brittany McPhee scored 25 points with Jordan McPhee and Kiana Gandy contributing 17 and 10 points respectively in a match up illustrating the skills that make the Rams a major force to be dealt with in league and state considerations.

Mount Rainier held an 8-7 first quarter lead before it made the statement that would repeatedly surface during the game. Speed encompassed the dynamic defense that forced steals while also igniting the fast break as the Rams scored almost at will. Jordan and Brittany combined for 17 points from all angles and areas resulting in 13 consecutive points capped by Gandy's rebound basket for a 21-7 dominance.
Ram players proceeded to shoot further and further ahead.

The statement of Mount Rainier abilities repeated itself over and over throughout the game as fresh players were continually inserted into the lineup. At one stage of the game, the running Rams exploded to a 45 point lead as starters spent considerable time watching the results. The entire fourth quarter was maintained with Mount Rainier reserves.

Last basketball season, the young Rams gained confidence as the season progressed and powered past high level foes to qualify for the 2012 state Hardwood Classic basketball tournament.

This season, the McPhee twins return as sophomores to lead the charge for the No. 2 ranked Class 4A squad after steadily improving last season to become a major power and a state qualifier.

With that season under its belt, Mount Rainier is considered one of the top favorites for state honors this season as virtually the entire squad returns with experience.

Once again, the major catalysts on a squad that returns virtually everyone are Brittany and Jordan McPhee.

The McPhee twins are poised for another outstanding season with personal and team improvements in the mix.

These fraternal twins have had a busy schedule since the state basketball playoffs ended.

Jordan just completed fall sports by going unbeaten on the way to a cross country state championship in her first year in the sport. Last fall, she and Brittany played soccer. Springtime featured Jordan in track and Brittany in tennis.

Now the main event for each has arrived once more.

"It's a different feeling to start. We've definitely got more confidence to begin this season," said Brittany, who was last season's SPSL North Co-MVP with a 21.4 points per game average while averaging 12.8 boards a game. "The team knows the plays better and really can anticipate each other's moves. Personally, I want to focus on defense and shooting from outside. We have lots of team bonding."

Part of her point total on this night came by way of 3-point land.

Point guard Jordan averaged 8.8 points and 3.7 assists per game last season.

"I've got more confidence in my shot," she said. "Taking the ball down court before passing has improved. I'm excited because we're playing so well together. It's cool being ranked so highly, but we intend to keep working hard to accomplish our high goals."