Washougal girls survive district gauntlet to clinch state berth

LONGVIEW — The Washougal girls basketball team is headed back to the regional round of the Class 2A state tournament for a third consecutive season, even though the Panthers took a different route than planned.

The Panthers, the 2A Greater St. Helens League champions, bounced back from a first-round loss in the district tournament to win their third consecutive loser-out game Saturday, beating Woodland 52-36 Saturday to claim third place in the district.

“We’re back to the same place we’ve been the past two years,” Washougal coach Brittney Knotts said. “We took a longer road to get there, but it still feels great.”

Washougal’s third win in the consolation bracket was not as easy as the final score may indicate, as Woodland brought pressure early, and Washougal was fortunate to escape the first quarter with an 8-6 lead. Nicole Guthrie had all six points for Woodland.

“That was the toughest Woodland team we’ve seen all season,” Knotts said. “And I’m glad they came out so tough, because it kind of woke us up a little. We talked about bringing some energy on defense, but Woodland was bringing up. It forced us to really step up our intensity.”

It showed in the second quarter when the Panthers used a 14-2 run to forge a 21-12 lead at halftime.

Washougal’s defense would allow the Panthers to run off the first  10 points of the second half to forge a 31-12 lead. Woodland would not get any closer than 14 points the rest of the way.

“We just needed to keep calm and collected and not let the pressure get to us,” Bea said. “We needed to use passes to break the press, and eventually it started working for us.”

Bea had her usual all-around effort with eight points, eight rebounds, six blocks and four steals. But the Panthers (19-12) got contributions from up and down the roster.

Alexis Maniscalco had 10 points and six rebounds, Emilee Smart came off the bench to score eight as nine different players got in the points column.

Guthrie had 12 points and Kaily Christensen added nine points for the Beavers (14-10), who also made a solid run in the district tournament as the No. 4 seed out of the 2A GSHL.

Bea said Washougal’s route to state through the consolation bracket could prove as asset next week.

“I think it will help us with the pressure because all of (recent) games have been if you lose you’re out,” Bea said. “And that’s how it will be from now on. We played really well knowing that.”

WASHOUGAL 52, WOODLAND 36

WASHOUGAL — Kiara Cross 3, Alexis Maniscalco 10, Maggie Hungerford 7, Beyonce Bea 8, Ashley Gibbons 4,  McKinley Stotts 4, Grace Graham 2, Erin Miner 0, Audrey Thompson 0, Emilee Smart 8, McKenna Jackson 0, Skylar Bea 6, Tiana Barnett 0, Paige Wilson 0, Elaina Tauialo 0. Totals 19 (1) 13-27 52.

WOODLAND — Emersyn Finn 2, McKenna Flanagan 4, Kaija Olson 0, Kennedy Huesties 0, Payten Foster 2, Carleigh Risley 0, Emma Estep 0, Cara Stubbs 0, Dana Glovick 5, Kelly Sweyer 2, Kaily Christensen 9, Madison Hill 0, Nicole Guthrie 12. Totals 11 (1) 13-18 36.

Washougal 8 13 18 13—52

Woodland 6 6 9 15—36