WA high school girls basketball: 4A state tournament bracket breakdown
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Hardwood Classic 2024
High school state basketball champions will be crowned in Tacoma, Yakima and Spokane the weekend of February 29 - March 2.
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The Class 4A girls state basketball tournament begins Wednesday at the Tacoma Dome, where 15 games will be played in four days to decide this season’s champion.
Here’s what to watch for in the 2024 bracket, which features 12 programs from around the state.
STATE REGIONALS RESULTS
Winner-to-quarterfinals, loser-to-first-round games
No. 1 Camas 53, No. 8 Gonzaga Prep 3
No. 2 Woodinville 7, No. 7 Tahoma 50
No. 3 Kamiakin 60, No. 6 Bothell 48
No. 4 Sumner 63, No. 5 Davis 60
Winner-to-first-round, loser-out games
No. 9 Lake Stevens 47, No. 16 Skyview 34
No. 10 Bellarmine Prep 52, No. 15 West Valley of Yakima 37
No. 11 Emerald Ridge 60, No. 14 Kamiak 59
No. 12 Eastlake 55, No. 13 Kentwood 36
TACOMA DOME SCHEDULE
Wednesday’s first round and Thursday’s quarterfinals
No. 11 Emerald Ridge vs. No. 6 Bothell, 9 a.m. Wednesday
Winner vs. No. 4 Sumner, 9 a.m. Thursday
No. 10 Bellarmine Prep vs. No. 7 Tahoma, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday
Winner vs. No. 1 Camas, 10:30 a.m. Thursday
No. 12 Eastlake vs. No. 5 Davis, 12:15 p.m. Wednesday
Winner vs. No. 3 Kamiakin, 12:15 p.m. Thursday
No. 9 Lake Stevens vs. No. 8 Gonzaga Prep, 2 p.m. Wednesday
Winner vs. No. 2 Woodinville, 2 p.m. Thursday
Friday’s semifinals
3:45 and 5:30 p.m.
Saturday’s championship and placing games
4th/6th — 8 a.m.
3rd/5th — 11:15 a.m.
Championship — 5 p.m.
10 PLAYERS TO WATCH
G Aylah Cornwall, Gonzaga Prep
F Jaecy Eggers, Woodinville
G Esmeralda Galindo, Davis
F Addison Harris, Camas
F Mckylee Hawkins, Bothell
G Lainee Houillon, Sumner
G Kierra Thompson, Camas
G Jada Travis, Bellarmine Prep
G Nicole Wertenberger, Kamiakin
F Tatum Wood, Eastlake
TEAM PREVIEWS
No. 1 Camas (18-6) — The Papermakers, last year’s state tournament runner-up, haven’t lost an in-state game this year. Nobody in the state shares the ball as well as Camas, its unselfish brand of basketball the byproduct of a group that’s been playing together since elementary school. Forward Addison Harris, guards Riley Sanz and Kierra Thompson are players to watch on a starting five that can all score.
No. 2 Woodinville (24-2) — Since a two-point loss to Eastlake in December, the Falcons haven’t lost another. The 15-game win streak includes a recent 13-point revenge win over Eastlake and a 21-point win over state participant Tahoma in last weekend’s regional round. Falcons are long all over, highlighted by 6-foot-2 forward Jaecy Eggers, an Eastern Washington signee who averages 16.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
No. 3 Kamiakin (23-1) — Outside of a loss to Chiawana, Kamiakin has been perfect this year, including a 30-point blowout win over Gonzaga Prep in mid-February and 12-point win over Bothell in last week’s regional round. Senior guard Nicole Wertenberger (17.9 ppg) leads a talented group.
No. 4 Sumner (22-1) — Nonstop energy, guard Lainee Houillon (16.3 ppg, 3.3 apg) sets the tone for the Spartans and has been a valuable veteran presence and mentor for Spartans talented younger pieces, sophomore guard and efficient scorer Olivia Collins (9. ppg) and 6-foot freshman wing Kawehi Borden (9.6 ppg), who looks like she’ll be one of the state’s best players before it’s all said and done.
No. 5 Davis (16-3) — Scrappy senior guard Esmeralda Galindo has been a mainstay for the Pirates during her high school career and is tough to stop when she’s attacking the rim. Freshman wing Cheyenne Hull is one of the state’s most promising underclassmen. Davis took No. 4 Sumner to overtime in the regional round.
No. 6 Bothell (20-4) — Bounced back after a lopsided loss to Woodinville in early February with wins over Newport and Lake Stevens. Senior forward Mckylee Hawkins (14.6 ppg, 9.7 rpg) is a double-double threat any given game.
No. 7 Tahoma — After losing 2023 TNT All-Area player of the year Hope Hassmann to graduation, the Bears are a bit more balanced on offense. Bailey Nettleton (9.7 ppg), Adalynn Busch (8.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg), Lily Cavanaugh (8 ppg) and Brooke Deyak (7.8) all contribute.
No. 8 Gonzaga Prep — Freshman point guard Aylah Cornwall is the player to watch. She leads the Bullpups in scoring (20.7 ppg), rebounding (8.2), assists (4.2) and steals (3.7). Olivia McIntyre (11.7 ppg) and Gillian Bears (10.7 ppg) round out the scoring load.
No. 9 Lake Stevens (19-4) — Vikings boast a good blend of veteran leadership from Nisa Ellis (15.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and youth from sophomores Keira Tupua (14 ppg) and freshman Noelani Tupua (13 ppg).
No. 10 Bellarmine Prep — Adversity struck Bellarmine early this season when the Lions lost last year’s leading scorer and TNT 2023 All-Area selection Kiara Stone to an ACL injury. Guard Jada Travis (21.9 ppg, 9 rpg) has had to shoulder much of the load since then. Freshman guard Kyla Frazier (11 ppg, 4 rpg) is coming on.
No. 11 Emerald Ridge — Guard Naomi Senato, the SPSL South MVP, is the engine on both ends of the floor, averaging 14 points. Post JaRyah McGriff may be the most important player for the Jaguars, though. If she’s productive, everything opens up for Emerald Ridge’s guards. This is Emerald Ridge’s third consecutive state tournament appearance.
No. 12 Eastlake — The reigning 4A state champions are back in the Dome. This year’s team is highlighted by Tatum Wood (16.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and Sofia Aluas (14.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg). Aluas recently joined the 1,000 career points club.
TNT CHAMPIONSHIP PICK
No. 1 Camas 54, No. 2 Woodinville 51
This story was originally published February 27, 2024 at 5:00 AM with the headline "WA high school girls basketball: 4A state tournament bracket breakdown."
