With another big win, the Hazen girls basketball team inched closer to its first state tournament berth in nearly 20 years.
Hazen (15-7) topped Columbia River (12-12) 57-41 Friday in a West Central/Southwest 3A bi-district game. Airashay Rogers led Hazen in scoring, with 26 points. The freshman guard is averaging 25 points per game in Hazen’s three playoff games this postseason.
The Highlanders stormed out to a 15-1 lead and controlled the rest of the contest.
“The game was really never in doubt,” said Hazen coach Jeff Bernhardt. “I’m really proud of the execution and the effort they gave.”
Darralita Taylor scored 11 and Michelle Wnek scored 9.
The win was a strong bounce-back game for Hazen coming off of a close loss against White River (20-2) Feb. 25. Hazen led through three quarters in that game, but fell 71-66.
“You never know what kind of effort you’re going to get after such a heartbreaking loss,” Bernhardt said. “As a coaching staff you’re always concerned that you’re going to be deflated coming into the next opponent.”
But after the Highlanders’ early run, it was clear to Bernhardt effort wasn’t going to be an issue for his team.
Next step
Hazen plays Bonney Lake (18-5) next Friday at 8 p.m. at Clover Park High School. The winner advances to play another game and is guaranteed a trip to state. The loser will play again and will go to state if it wins the second game.
The Highlanders last went to the state tournament in 1991.
Bonney Lake beat Lindbergh 70-50 in the previous round of the district tournament.
Bernhardt said he’s seen Bonney Lake play three times this year and feels the Highlanders match up well from a personnel and gameplan standpoint.
“It’s a good matchup for us just on X’s and O’s,” Bernhardt said. “I’m confident with a week to prepare and the focus we’re showing that we can give them a game.”
While Lindbergh uses mostly a 2-3 zone (which allowed the Bonney Lake shooters to have space and make shots) Hazen utilizes more of a pressure defense. That difference in styles should make it more difficult for Bonney Lake to get so many good shot opportunities.
Rematch brewing?
Hazen has the possibility to play Enumclaw again in the next round of districts. Enumclaw plays Auburn Mountainview Friday and if the Hornets and the Highlanders both win or both lose, the two will meet again.
Hazen beat Enumclaw 44-42 in the Seamount/SPSL playoffs Feb. 20.
Bernhardt said he’d welcome a rematch with the Hornets, but he’d rather see them with both teams already locked into state and playing for seeding because of Enumclaw’s experience.
Enumclaw has nine seniors to Hazen’s three, which could give the Hornets an extra factor of desperation in a loser-out game.
“At this point you’re not going to get any slouches,” Bernhardt said. “When you get girls with their backs against the wall and their last game ever you can’t gauge what’s going to happen. It overcomes any type of ability and it comes down to a want-to game.”
