It is a double-elimination tournament, but the Prairie girls basketball team wants to play with a different philosophy.
“We’re going out and playing like it’s our last game — all out,” Prairie senior Jamie Phares said.
“The fire in us just rages,” senior Emily Peters said. “It shows just how much we want it.”
Prairie opened the postseason Wednesday with a 44-28 victory over Bonney Lake in the opening round of the Class 3A bi-district tournament. Struggling with the shooting all night, the Falcons turned to defense to advance to the quarterfinals.
“You never know when it’s going to be your last game,” Phares said. “You gotta go now.”
Prairie will face Lakes at 7:45 p.m. Friday at Rogers High School in Puyallup. The winner will earn a trip to the state tournament.
“As seniors, we want to make it the best year of the four,” Peters said.
Phares and Peters each were responsible for five turnovers, either by steals or deflections to teammates, as the Falcons forced 28 turnovers from Bonney Lake. Prairie’s defense also shut out the Panthers during a seven-minute stretch of the second quarter.
The Falcons weren’t shooting well, but they had so many more shots than the Panthers that it led to a five-point halftime lead, then an 11-point advantage going into the fourth quarter.
Cherita Daugherty led Prairie with 12 points. Phares went 4 for 6 from the floor and finished with nine points. Jozie Tangeman also had nine points. Daugherty and Natalie Whitesel each had nine rebounds for the Falcons.
Prairie shot 30 percent from the floor and also went 1 for 19 from 3-point range.
And won easily.
Because …
Bonney Lake was 9 of 34 from the field — 26 percent — and 26 of their 28 turnovers came in the first three quarters.
“Coach always runs us during practice. We always know we can tire out the other team,” Peters said. “Defense always wins games. When the offense isn’t working, we can rely on defense.”
Peters has bought in to the Prairie way. She only took two shots in the game, yet had a dominating defensive game from her post position.
Phares was in the passing lanes from the perimeter.
“Defense definitely comes in handy,” said Phares, who had a steal and coast-to-coast lay-up to make it 29-19 late in the third quarter.
The Falcons hope to survive the bi-district tourney to make it regionals — the state round of 16. The ultimate goal, though, is the final eight at the Tacoma Dome.
“This is one last year to get to the dome,” Peters said. “As seniors, that is really what we’re shooting for.”
PRAIRIE 44, BONNEY LAKE 28
BONNEY LAKE — Kayla Seger 7, Payton Mitchell 5, Emily White 6, Brooklyn Gratzer 3, Samantha Boudreau 2, Leaniva Richardson 2, Danielle Lisk 0, Emily Stonerock 3. Totals 9-34 (3-14) 7-13 28.
PRAIRIE — Lindsay Asplund 3, Jamie Phares 9, Emily Peters 2, Cherita Daugherty 12, Natalie Whitesel 2, Grace Prom 3, Jozie Tangeman 9, Cheyanne Schlalos 0, Kris Rocci 2, Deja Gobert 2, Macey Hsu 0. Totals 16-53 (1-19) 11-19 44.
B. Lake 9 3 7 9—28
Prairie 8 9 13 14—44
