This time the “Big Three” for Hudson’s Bay didn’t just refer to the Eagles’ three standout players.
Sophomore Zoriah Jones hit three 3-pointers and scored 11 points as the Eagles got contributions from throughout the lineup in a 70-42 win over Mark Morris on Friday in the first round of the 2A District girls basketball tournament.
“Yeah, I was really pleased by that because we haven’t got that before as much,” Bay coach Michael Rainville said. “Zoriah Jones came in and hit a few 3s, and it didn’t look like too much of a dropoff when we went to our bench. … And our starters were excellent, too.”
Bay’s Big Three did their thing. Junior Mahaila Harrison led the Eagles with 19 points, while seniors Paytin Ballard had 15 and Aniyah Hampton had 10.
But Rainville was most pleased with Ballard’s contributions on defense.
“Her defense was the difference in the second half,” Rainville said. “She shut down No. 25 pretty well in the third quarter.”
No. 25 for Mark Morris is Isabella Merzoian, who scored Mark Morris’ first 13 points of the game and 16 of the Monarchs’ 25 points in the first half as they trailed Bay 36-25.
But she had only three points in the third quarter when Bay extended its lead to 52-35.
“Hudson’s Bay showed why they are the No. 3 team in the state,” Mark Morris coach Sean Atkins said. “They crashed the offensive glass on us and had several putbacks that hurt us.”
Merzoian finished with 24 points and six rebounds for Mark Morris, which will play Hockinson on Monday in a district loser-out game.
Hudson’s Bay advances to the district semifinals, where the Eagles will play W.F. West of Chehalis for a berth to the regional round of state.
HUDSON’S BAY 70, MARK MORRIS 42
MARK MORRIS (12-10)— Peyton Blondin 0, Madi Noel 2, Kea Makaiwi 0, Brooklyn Schlecht 3, Emma Fisher 6, Hallie Watson 3, Erica Snyder 4, Taylor Wilkinson 0, Ali Millspaugh 0, Isabella Merzoian 24, Natalie Mejia 0, Mckenna Longtain 0. Totals 15 (5) 7-12 42.
HUDSON’S BAY (16-2) — Promise Bond 2, Miranda Gonzalez 6, Mahaila Harrison 19, Alana Stephens 2, Devon Johnson-Brown 3, Paytin Ballard 15, Aniyah Hampton 10, Zoriah Jones 11, Emma Mady 2. Totals 31 (4) 4-16 70.
