State basketball: Hazen falls to Lakeside by three points in first round

By Adam McFadden • March 12, 2009 11:29 am
Hazen's Darralita Taylor drives through Lakeside's Morgan Merriman for two points Wednesday afternoon in the opening round of the state 3A girls basketball tournament. Hazen lost the game
Hazen's Darralita Taylor drives through Lakeside's Morgan Merriman for two points Wednesday afternoon in the opening round of the state 3A girls basketball tournament. Hazen lost the game

Hazen’s defense showed up to the first round of the 3A state basketball tournament, but its offense didn’t. The Highlanders fell to Lakeside 35-32 Wednesday afternoon at the Tacoma Dome.

Hazen (16-9) trailed by four points at the half, five at the end of the third quarter and ultimately couldn’t convert on late chances to take the lead. Both teams played strong defense and forced a number of turnovers in the first half. The two squads combined for 26 turnovers in the first half.

Early in the second half, the Lions opened a game-high, seven-point lead but Hazen went on a 7-0 run to close the gap. The Highlanders took their only lead of the second half (32-31) with just over a minute left when Airashay Rogers scored on a driving lay-up. Rogers led all scorers with 13 points.

Hazen will play Hanford, who lost to Kennedy in the first round, in the second round of the state tournament Thursday at 10:30 a.m. The loser is out of the state tournament.