Prairie season comes to close after 58-50 loss to Mt. Spokane (video)

TACOMA–For most of Friday afternoon’s consolation match between Prairie and Mt. Spokane, it looked like the Falcons would accomplish their goal of extending their stay in the Puget Sound area, and their season.

Unfortunately for them, the Wildcats and freshman Aspyn Adams, had other ideas.

Mt. Spokane came back from 11 points down in the 2nd half to defeat the Falcons 58-50, ending their season in the consolation bracket of the 3A Girls State Basketball tournament at the Tacoma Dome.

Adams scored all 14 of her points in the game’s final 6:55 and almost single-handedly willed the Wildcats to victory.

Jordan Smith led the Wildcats with a game-high 18 points.

Mt. Spokane tied the game at 44 with 4 minutes left, which was met by an immediate answer from Cherita Daugherty, who gave the Falcons a 3-point lead with 3:40 left.

They went back and forth, with six lead changes in the final four minutes.

But the Wildcats were able to sustain their hot shooting while the Falcons were left wondering where theirs went.

The difference in the game can be seen in the 2nd half 3-point shooting.

Mt. Spokane went a preposterous 9-for-14 (64 percent) in the 2nd half. Meanwhile, the Falcons were just 4-22 after halftime when they held a 31-19 lead.

The Falcons led by as much as 15 points in the first half, executing the game plan they executed for much of the season, driving the lane and creating opportunities for 3-pointers.

Adams found holes in Prairie’s 2-3 zone in the corners to get going. But even when the Falcons switched up their defense, they couldn’t slow her down.

“I think we were a little tired,” Prairie head coach Brett Johnson said.

Freshman guard Mallory Williams led the Falcons with 11 points in the game, including 3 3-pointers.

Jozie Tangeman and Grace Prom also connected from deep as the team played off of Daugherty’s creation.

Daugherty had a team-high nine rebounds to go along with 9 points.

“We were proud of the way we played,” head coach Brett Johnson said. “We just didn’t finish. It’s hard in there right now.”

“We have to keep our heads up and reflect back on our season and know we had a great season” Prom said.  “We got closer as a team, we made it back to the Dome. That’s all that matters. We have to look forward to next year.”

A day after losing to Lynnwood, the no. 12 ranked team in the nation, the Falcons re-grouped, vowing to made it to Saturday after being eliminated in two games during last season’s tournament.

Although they were unable to accomplish their current goal, the season was still a success.

“We had a great season from the start,” Prom said. “We worked hard during practices and it showed how much potential we had. We got back to The Dome. It was a great feeling.”

3A Girls State Tournament at Tacoma Dome

Consolation Bracket

MT. SPOKANE 58, PRAIRIE 50

1234F

MT. SPOKANE 7 12 14 25 58

PRAIRIE 9 22 10 9 50

Mt. Spokane – Jaidyn Lyman 13, Miahna Waters 4, Sierra Poquette 0, Jordan Smith 18, Megan Nilsson 6, Aspyn Adams 14, Maycie Williams 3, Kaylen Carloson, Emily Nelson. Totals 19 (11), 9-15 FT.

Prairie – Jozie Tangeman 10, Grace Prom 8, Macey Hsu 5, Cherita Daugherty 9, Natalie Whitesel 7, Deja Gobert 0, Cassidy Gardner 0, Kris Rocci 0, Mallory Williams 11.  Totals 19 (10), 2-3 FT.