KELSO — Yes, there was a bit of doubt among the La Center girls basketball team on Tuesday when Elma cut a 19-point margin to five points.
But the Wildcats still had plenty of determination.
And they had senior Katie Whitten to lead the way.
The senior guard scored two baskets early in the fourth quarter, helping to spark a dominating finish that earned La Center a 65-46 win in a district semifinal game at Kelso High School.
La Center (19-3) has locked up a place in the Class 1A state tournament and will play Montesano at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Kelso for the District 4 championship.
Whitten played with the ferocity of a senior chasing her first state tournament.
The 5-foot point guard got after the Eagles from the start and finished with 17 points, nine steals, eight assists and four rebounds.
“We want to get under (opponents’) skin and get them stressed out so that they will make bad passes and bad decisions,” Whitten said.
Elma (10-10) was certainly stressed early. The Eagles had 10 turnovers in the first quarter and 17 in a first half that ended with La Center on top 38-19.
The Wildcats’ quickness also caused the Eagles trouble on the boards, with La Center able to extend a number of possessions by being first to loose balls.
“Starting like that is big,” Whitten said. “It sets the tone for the whole game. Pedal to the metal.”
It seemed the Wildcats could cruise into the district finals. But Elma started converting inside and La Center could not find a way to score in the third quarter, so the score was 42-35 starting the fourth quarter.
“I was definitely sweating it a little,” Whitten said. “We let up a little bit.”
The Eagles were within five points twice early in the fourth quarter, and had one possession to get closer. But after scoring only one field goal in the third quarter, the La Center offense regained its confidence and shooting touch in the fourth.
It started with Whitten going end to end for a layup, and included three big inside baskets off nice feeds from Taylor Mills.
Andrea Griffee, who finished with 10 points and five steals, helped seal the win with four late free throws. Bethany Whitten hit a 3-pointer with 3:45 left to stretch the lead to 14 points and also made three foul shots down the stretch,
La Center coach Herm VanWeerdhuizen admitted even he was a little concerned with the turn of events in the third quarter, but he pointed to key contributions off the bench from Ashley Denny and Paige Stinson and the best game of the season for Mills as keys to getting the job done on a night when junior post Shelby Vermeulen fouled out.
“I’m always worried a little bit,” VanWeerdhuizen said. “But I knew Katie would take care of it.”
LA CENTER 65, ELMA 46
ELMA (10-10) — Maddie Thompson 13, Peyton Elliott 7, Cheyenne Jines 0, McKenzie Neary 0, Kohlby Saylor 0, Jordaan Hall 6, Tawni Heller 0, Conley Doyle 8, Bethany Lipska 12. Totals 17 (1) 11-16 46.
LA CENTER (19-3) — Katie Whitten 17, Bethany Whitten 9, Taylor Mills 13, Shelby Vermuelen 6, Rachel Moudy 6, Paige Stinson 4, Andrea Griffee 10, Lacey Grotte 0, Whitley Seter 0, Ashley Denny 0, Kayla Aguirrie 0, Molly Edwards 0. Totals 24 (7) 10-19 65..
Elma 10 9 16 11–46
La Center 18 20 4 23–65
