TACOMA — The Evergreen girls basketball team is heading to the Class 4A state tournament.
That sentence alone seemed impossible just two seasons ago.
But it’s true. And the Plainsmen did it together Saturday night, stopping Emerald Ridge of Puyallup 53-50 in a state-qualifying game in the Class 4A bi-district consolation bracket.
Evergreen will play a seeding game Monday against Mount Tahoma of Tacoma, but the Plainsmen are assured of playing in the state’s regional round next weekend.
Justine Joudrey provided the scoring punch. Shamerica Scott’s energy was non-stop. Jessica Chatman grabbed the boards, including a big one on the offensive end in the closing seconds. Deja Nicholas made the most of her second chance at the free throw line.
And defensive specialist Sydney Holland blocked a potential tying shot just before the final horn.
“I’m always ‘hyphy’ on defense,” Holland said, referring to the slang word that combines hyper and fly. “It’s my favorite thing to do. I work hard at it. It’s my game.”
Holland blocked a 3-pointer to secure the victory. She proudly proclaimed she got “all ball.”
Joudrey scored 17 points, including a big 3-pointer with 3:09 remaining to give the Plainsmen a 49-46 lead.
“I’ve wanted this, seriously, since I was six years old,” Joudrey said. “It’s been a dream. I can’t believe it right now.”
Evergreen struggled for years, but coach Jay Foreman and some fresh talent turned around the program. Evergreen won the district tournament last year before losing a bi-district playoff.
Unlike in past years, going to state doesn’t mean going to straight to the Tacoma Dome.
Depending on Monday’s outcome, Evergreen will head to the Kenmore/Kirkland regional or Richland regional, where the Plainsmen will need to win two games to reach the final eight at the Tacoma Dome.
Emerald Ridge responded to Joudrey’s 3-pointer with four points in a row for a 50-49 advantage.
But Scott would get a steal, and on the ensuing possession scored off a sweet feed from Chatman to make it 51-50 Evergreen with 47 seconds remaining. After a missed shot by the Jaguars, Nicholas went to the line for a 1-and-1.
She missed, but Chatman was there for the rebound — her 11th board of the game — and the ball found its way back to Nicholas, who was fouled. This time, she made both free throws for a three-point lead with 17 seconds remaining.
“It was the biggest thing ever,” said Nicholas, who had 10 points and three steals. “I usually miss my free throws. We’re always running (in practice) because of me. I made my free throws!”
The Jaguars set up a play for a tying 3-pointer, but Holland was there to end the game for Evergreen.
Joudrey was 7 of 13 from the floor and connected on three 3-pointers. Scott had 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting and had four steals.
Jasmine Parker led Emerald Ridge with 18 points and eight rebounds.
There were 10 lead changes in this game, the final one going to the Plainsmen.
