AUBURN - Bring on the state basketball competition.

Class 4A West Central/Southwest bi-district girls basketball champion Mount Rainier (25-1) staged a second quarter scoring salvo as the springboard to a Saturday, Feb. 25, regional game 58-35 blasting of Bethel to gain a quarterfinal berth in the 2012 state championship Hardwood Classic held at the Tacoma Dome March 1-3.

Bethel (14-10) turned in its jerseys after the loser-out, winner-to-state encounter.

"We knew they would be double-teaming Brittany (McPhee)," said Ram head coach Bob Bolam. "It was up to the others to step up and hit a few shots. In the second half, Kiana (Gandy) played tougher and we just had to exercise more patience."

After an awkwardly played first quarter, the No. 2 state rated Rams emerged with a 12-7 lead going into the second quarter following Ajah Piper's three-point goal with 37.5 seconds remaining in the quarter.

Although forcing few turnovers, Mount Rainier's defense produced off-balance shooting by the Braves in limiting them to a woefully weak 3-of-25 (12 percent) field goal shooting in the first half and 12-of-44 (27.3 per cent) accuracy for the game.

Forcing the action to its own pace, Mount Rainier gradually pulled away to nine and 14-point differentials in the second quarter before Gandy's close-in goal and Jordan McPhee's two free throws ballooned the Ram dominance to 27-11 in a 15-4 run with 3:22 remaining in the first half.

By halftime, Mount Rainier owned a 29-14 lead and was never even remotely threatened again.

Like surgeons searching for the proper openings, the Rams started the second half by being more pass conscious, firing out to the first of three 21- point leads during the third quarter at 35-14 following baskets from Brittany McPhee and Kiana Gandy plus Jordan McPhee's steal and basket.

Bethel closed within 48-32 at the end of the third quarter with a 5-0 run, but even with its substitute shuttle system being invoked, Mount Rainier gained the biggest lead of 58-33 on Jordan McPhee's beyond the arc three with 2:43 remaining in regulation game time.

How did last year's regional experience help prepare the team for this season's playoffs?

"We just understand more and this was a loser-out so we had to be focused," said Brittany McPhee, who erupted from a six-point first half into a game-high 19 points(8-of-14 field goals) with 12 rebounds and four assists.

Increased off-court presence and knowledge of their own skills was also a factor.

"This year we have more team bonding off the court," said Gandy, who scored 10 points. "Other than that, we understand more about how good we are."

McPhee and senior Gandy described what the Tacoma Dome entry meant.

"This year, we really have to concentrate on focusing all over the court," they agreed.."We want to be No. 1 so we have to push through."

Two additional Ram players joined McPhee and Gandy as parts of a four-pronged double figures scoring attack.

Brittany's fraternal twin sister Jordan notched 11 points with nine rebounds while Maylynn Mitchell fired home 10 points with a pair of three-pointers.

Sirrenhadi Battle scored 12 points for the outgunned Bethel Braves.

Looking ahead to the state quarterfinal game, Bolam was excited.

"We're excited about it," he said. "We've been playing good team defense. I think that's what will help us out at state. Playing good 'D' and rebounding.

"There are eight good teams and every game will be difficult. There will be no nights off. We just have to keep working on things we've been doing all year."

Mount Rainier drew a 10:30 a.m. game against Jackson as its opener at state.