BY GERARDO BOLONG
Contributing Writer
PUYALLUP - Battling attitudes under duress and a final defensive stand enabled the fighting Seattle Christian Warriors to hold off a desperate comeback by Seattle Academy, in a winner-to-state final grouping, loser-out, 63-61 win at the 2018 1A state regional win on the court of Puyallup High School on the afternoon of Sat., Feb. 24.
West Central District champion Seattle Christian (21-2) will open state play against Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) in a loser-out, 5:30 p.m. tip off at the Yakima Sun Dome on Feb. 28.
After the Cardinals from downtown Seattle had erased most of a one-time 14 point Warrior lead to trail only 63-61 with 53.9 seconds in the fourth quarter, SC was unable to take good care of the ball or run the clock down completely due to turnovers.
Seattle Academy in bounded from the side just inside midcourt with 16.9 seconds to go. Despite being a marked player throughout the game, six-footer Allie Morrison worked her way near the basket, but her lefty lay up attempt rolled around and off the front rim with two-tenths of a second remaining and the clock ran out as the ball disappeared into a sea of Seattle Christian Warrior players.
"It was a rough night for two of our normal scorers, but the team fought, fought and scrapped," said Warrior head coach Jasen Baskett. "I told them at halftime to do whatever it takes and they were able to make some big lay ins at the end and move on. I'm proud of them for continuing to fight through."
Emma Baskett was a major force in the first quarter with a pair of 3-pointers to take up the slack from others having tough shooting nights and some SC loose ball handling woes, but Seattle Academy owned the rebounding to hold a 19-17 edge after one quarter.
Continually hustling Olivia Clark was all over the court in a combined effort with Alex Ellis and Madisen Fors to jump the Warriors from SeaTac into a 31-22 lead with 2:29 remaining until halftime.
"We had to work hard and be tough," Fors said. "It was big team effort."
Fors gave a yeoman-like performance while getting solid court time for four points, three rebounds and four steals in relief of Seibel and Baskett, who encountered second half foul trouble before eventually fouling out.
Five consecutive points from the powerful Morrison drew SA within 31-27 at the intermission.
Clark and Ellis attacked the rim for consecutive baskets before Fors nailed a short jump shot to extend a 39-37 edge into a 45-37 advantage with 1:46 in the third quarter.
Morrison broke the 6-0 run with two Cardinal free throws, but Seri Anderson ran the baseline and switched hands on basket ahead of an Ellis attack to the rack.
Working on a badly injured right ankle, Julia Seibel took a pass for a lay up to give SC a 12-point clearance at 51-39 heading into the stressful fourth quarter screamer.
Ellis shadowed Morrison defensively all over the court while storming her way to 19 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals for the game.
"We wanted to go to the dome so badly," she said. "I'm just glad that we could get it done."
After Clark cleared herself for a basket on a pick and roll to open the fourth quarter in a 53-39 SC lead, Morrison and Rusha Bartlett later kept the heat on Seattle Christian to trim a 59-47 SC lead to 59-52.
Ellis set up in the clear to swish a short-range jumper only to have Morrison and company charge back within 61-56 as 2:29 remained on the clock.
Back came the Academy behind Morrison to fire the Cardinals back within the 63-61 margin that would hold up in the final Seattle Christian defensive stand that saved the game and a ticket to the state finals in Yakima.
"In light of losing in regionals (in overtime) last year (in Yakima), we just couldn't lose this game after working so hard this season," said Clark, who worked her way to 24 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and four steals.
With all efforts being pivotal, all contributions by the players added into the slim win.
Baskett finished with eight points, eight rebounds and three assists while Seibel scored six points in a gutsy effort. Anderson scored two points and grabbed six caroms.
Despite being the obvious go-to person to guard in the Seattle Academy line up, Morrison still managed 25 points and 10 rebounds. Florette Cederstand added 11 points. Bartlett had 12 rebounds.
