MOUNT VERNON — Woodland coach Glen Flanagan knew the Beavers needed to account for Cascade Christian’s dynamic guard duo of Kaycee Creech and Katie Rozumny, who both entered the regional round of the Class 1A state tournament averaging double figures.
Flanagan wasn’t expecting Cascade Christian guard Olivia Tuttle to do what she did in the first quarter Friday at Mount Vernon High School.
Woodland’s defense couldn’t find an answer for the Cougars’ potent 3-point shooting, as Cascade Christian used the deep ball early and played tight defense in the second half to earn a 57-40 win and a spot in next weekend’s Class 1A state tournament round of eight in Yakima.
Woodland’s season ended with a record of 21-4.
“I just think the first quarter with them hitting all those 3s was the biggest difference,” Flanagan said. “We played them an even game after that. They just hit all those early 3s.”
Woodland trailed 12-9 with 3:54 left in the first quarter before Tuttle drilled back-to-back 3s on consecutive possessions. Rozumny added another triple minutes later to push Cascade Christian’s lead to 21-9 in a 2:28 span.
“The other guard hit three 3s in the first quarter,” Flanagan said of Tuttle, who scored nine of her 11 points in the frame. “That kind of threw a monkey wrench in the plan when the third option starts hitting them.”
Woodland’s Sidra Malik scored seven of her team-high nine points in the second quarter to help cut the Beavers’ deficit to 23-15, and Jessica Flanagan scored six in the quarter.
Cascade Christian built another double-digit lead by halftime, and the Beavers weren’t able to mount a second-half comeback.
Jessica Flanagan finished with nine points to match Malik’s nine. Gracey Trice scored seven points, and McKenna Mulder added six.
The Cougars were led by Creech’s 19 points, Rozumny scored 14 and Tuttle added 11.
Despite the loss, Woodland’s future looks bright. The Beavers return their entire roster next year.
“I just thought all the girls did well,” Glen Flanagan said. “I’m real excited for next year. I’m pumped for these girls.”
CASCADE CHRISTIAN 57, WOODLAND 40
WOODLAND — Kendall Grell 6, Jessica Flanagan 9, McKenna Mulder 6, Sidra Malik 9, Gracey Trice 7, Kenya Byrnes 1, Madison Sorensen 2. Totals 11-48 12-20 40.
CASCADE CHRISTIAN — Julia Inderbitzin 2, Kaycee Creech 19, Katie Rozumny 14, Olivia Tuttle 11, Brooke Tunstall 6, Chloe Reed 5. Totals 19-41 10-14 57.
Woodland 11 13 10 6–40
Cascade Christian 23 12 11 11–57
