RIDGEFIELD — Playoff basketball is all about bringing out the best.
It brings out the state’s best teams. Monday, Mark Morris showed why it is the top-ranked Class 2A girls team in a 73-59 district semifinal win over Washougal.
But Monday also brought out the best in Alyssa Blankenship. The Washougal junior scored a career-high 36 points and almost single-handedly trimmed a 27-point second-half deficit to nine.
“I just played like every shot counted,” Blankenship said. “We know they’re good players, so we just gave it our all. I couldn’t be more proud of my team.”
Having won a state title in 2013, Mark Morris of Longview is pursuing a third consecutive trip to the championship game. The Monarchs entered the playoffs as the unanimous top-ranked team in the Associated Press Class 2A poll.
With Monday’s win at Ridgefield, the Monarchs (20-2) clinched a state tournament berth and will play in their fourth consecutive district title game Friday against W.F. West.
Washougal (17-4) now must win twice to reach the state tournament, starting with a consolation semifinal game against Hockinson on Wednesday.
After one quarter, Washougal looked like it might have a chance to spring the biggest upset of their season. The Panthers trailed 15-11, but Monarchs star point guard Kourtney Eaton would head to the bench for the entire second quarter with three fouls.
But like any top-level team, the Monarchs have many players who can score. Eaton’s twin sister, Karley, and Ashley Coons each scored nine points in the second quarter as Mark Morris outscored Washougal 20-8.
Karley Eaton finished with 27 points while Kourtney Eaton had 25. Last year’s 2A Greater St. Helens League co-MVPs have signed to play at UC Davis.
“They just have so many weapons,” Washougal coach Brian Oberg said. “We wanted to get Kourtney in foul trouble. That was part of the game plan.”
Mark Morris put on a full-court press to start the second. Between their hot shooting and a rash of Washougal turnovers, the Monarchs opened a 57-30 lead late in the third quarter.
“They make a run and suddenly you’re looking at a 20-point deficit,” Oberg said. “But what I love about these girls is they just keep fighting.”
More than anyone, Blankenship refused to surrender. She scored 24 points in the second half on 9-for-10 shooting from the field, including four 3-pointers.
Oberg said Blankenship has flourished late in the season after a groin injury threw off her preseason preparation.
“She’s had that in her game,” Oberg said of Monday’s 36-point explosion. “She just hasn’t been able to consistently hit them all year. … She’s a premier player in the league, and she’s slowly starting to get her shot back under her.”
After outscoring Mark Morris 23-13 in the fourth quarter, Washougal hopes to build off that late rally.
“We’ve got a good group to be able to play with a team like this,” Oberg said. “Our locker room talk was that we’ve got to stay focused, starting on Wednesday night. Win and you give yourself in another opportunity to go to state.”
MARK MORRIS 73, WASHOUGAL 59
WASHOUGAL — Crystal Chase 6, Haley Briggs 3, Mackenzie Kitchen 0, RaeAnn Allen 7, Jolynn Wenick 5, Alissa Lenczowski 0, Alyssa Blankenship 36, Lindsey Thomas 2, Anna Sharp 0, Alexis Maniscalco 0, Kayla Donahue 0. Totals 24 (11) 7-11 59.
MARK MORRIS — Kourtney Eaton 25, Karley Eaton 27, Ashley Coons 14, Tayler Teeters 0, Elaina Flores 2, Zsaleh Parvas 3, Madison Early 1, Mackenzie Curry 1. Totals 22 (8) 21-27 73.
Washougal 11 8 17 23–59
Mark Morris 15 20 25 13–73
