Arlington girls are district champions

A strong defense helped the Arlington girls basketball team top Stanwood during the Feb. 19 championship game of the District 1, 3A tournament.

The Eagles held Stanwood to 10 points in the second half during their 52-39 victory in the game held at Everett Community College.

The Spartans finished the first quarter leading the Eagles 18-11 but fell behind at halftime by six points 29-23.

“Stanwood started out strong and we didn’t,” said Arlington head coach Joe Marsh. Stanwood’s center, Vivienne Berrett, scored 16 points in the first half.

Arlington’s defense held Stanwood to four points in the third quarter with Berrett scoring two free throws in the period.

“It was just more of a team effort,” Marsh said. “We did a much better job of team defense against her.”

He complimented the efforts of sophomore forward Katie Snow defending Berrett and getting rebounds. “She just works hard every night.”

Arlington closed on Stanwood’s lead during the first part of the third quarter thanks to scoring from Snow, and junior guard Jenna Villa.

At about the halfway point in the third quarter, the Eagles took the lead 34-31 thanks to a three-pointer from Villa. Arlington continued scoring and were ahead by six points 39-33 at the end of the third quarter.

The Feb. 19 game marked the second time this season Arlington faced its conference rival. “It adds a little bit extra for us,” Marsh said. Arlington defeated Stanwood 57-47 Jan. 8.

The Eagles were District 1 champions in 2020, the year they placed third in the state tournament. Due to the pandemic, the 2020-2021 school year lacked postseason play for high school sports.

Regionals are next for the Eagles. They face Kelso at 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 25, at Everett Community College.