YAKIMA – A season of firsts for the Washougal girls basketball team will include at least one more – a spot in the state championship game.
The No. 7 Panthers beat No. 3 Clarkston 53-45 on Friday to advance to the 2A state final at the SunDome.
Though Washougal (22-4) is at the state tournament for the fourth straight year, the Panthers have never made it this far.
But with another stout defensive performance and solid play by star senior Beyonce Bea, Washougal is in the title game against No. 2 East Valley of Spokane at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Bea had 21 points and 15 rebounds, the kind of MVP performance in a big game capable by the three-time 2A Greater St. Helens League MVP.
“She’s the best player in the state,” said Washougal coach Britney Knotts. “She pushes her team and pushes herself harder than anybody else on the floor. With her speed and her strength, there’s not many who can match her.”
With a chance to end her senior year in a championship game, Bea said she felt Friday was a game for her to take charge.
“I know it’s my role to step up as a leader as a senior with the most experience in this position,” Bea said. “I wanted to do what I could to help us get the win.”
The title game is a rematch of the regional round of the state tournament, which saw Washougal beat East Valley 52-45 in Spokane on Feb. 23.
“It’s just a new challenge,” Knotts said. “In league you play teams twice, sometimes three times in districts. No matter what, we have to look at it as a challenge. They’ll make changes. We’ll make changes. We’ll just see who comes out on top.”
Washougal hasn’t lost since Dec. 22 at a tournament in Las Vegas, a span of 17 games.
Washougal hasn’t allowed more than 50 points since Jan. 11 against Hockinson, a span of 13 games. Friday, the Panthers held Clarkston (24-3) to 31 percent from the field.
“This year we have the best defensive team of my four years at Washougal,” Bea said. “It’s really awesome because defense wins games, ultimately. It’s what we preach. It’s what we work on.”
Now Bea and the Panthers will have a chance for one more program first – a state championship.
“I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity,” Bea said. “Senior year, it’s my last time to do this. So I’m just thankful for this opportunity for this team. It’s a dream come true.”
WASHOUGAL 53, CLARKSTON 45
CLARKSTON (24-3) – Ashlyn Wallace 25, Michala Jackson 7, AJ Sobotta 4, Lauren Johnson 1, Jalena Henry 3, Maggie Ogden 0, Erika Pickett 3, Samantha Chatfield 2. Totals 17 (5) 6-15 45.
WASHOUGAL (22-4) – Kiara Cross 0, Jaiden Bea 11, Savea Mansfield 5, Beyonce Bea 21, McKinley Stotts 8, Ashley Gibbons 1, Sammy Mederos 0, Skylar Bea 7, McKenna Jackson 0, Erin Miner 0. Totals 20 (2) 11-18 53.
Clarkston 12 9 8 16—45
Washougal 13 17 10 13—53
