By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

TACOMA--No. 2-ranked Mount Spokane overcame a fast start by West Seattle and cruised to a 55-35 victory in a Class 3A state girls basketball quarterfinal at the Tacoma Dome Thurs., Feb. 28.

The No. 9 Westsiders will be eyeing a top six finish when they return for a 10:30 a.m. game Fri., March 1. They are already in the top eight.

West Seattle jumped out to an early lead against the taller Wildcats from across the state.

Kelsey Linzie opened with a three point basket at 7:17 to go in the first quarter and Julianna Horne hit two at 5:28 to make it 5-0.

Niveya Henley struck at 5:12 to break the string before Jasmine Gayles tacked on a pair of free throws at 4:14 for a 7-2 West Seattle advantage.

Emily Nelson struck from inside at 3:11 and Mount Spokane teammate Aspyn Adams hit a three to knot it at 7-7 at 1:45.

It was still tied at 13-13 at the end of the quarter thanks to West Seattle threes by Horne and Meghan Fiso.

But Mount Spokane opened the second quarter with seven straight and 15 of the next 18 to take control. A Fiso three was all West Seattle could muster in that time.

Fiso led the Westsiders with nine points. Grace Server and Horne hit eight each and Lenzie scored six and Gayles four.

Adams scored 20 and Nelson 15 for Mount Spokane.