Arlington girls pummel Lake Washington 56-32

The third-seeded Arlington girls basketball team travelled to Shorewood High School to battle the sixth-seeded Lake Washington Kangaroos in the 3A Regionals on Feb. 29.

The Eagles came into the game with a size disadvantage but that didn’t stop them from coming out and displaying their dominance on the defensive end. Over the first five minutes Arlington kept the Kangaroos scoreless with a 9-0 run. Lake Washington refused to leave the first quarter scoreless and managed to score on a couple of close shots to enter the second down 12-4. Through the rest of the first half the Eagles continued to put pressure on the Kangaroos in the full court and forced a long list of turnovers. While only allowing three points in the second quarter, Arlington entered the half with an incredible 25-7 lead.

Lake Washington came out of the halftime looking to turn the game around, but Arlington refused to let off the gas. After a commanding first half, the Eagles came out with even more energy on both ends of the floor and outscored the Kangaroos 18-6 in the third quarter. Heading into the final eight minutes up 43-13, Arlington was able to rotate in the final couple of players on their 12-player roster who hadn’t had time on the floor yet. With the Eagles’ bench playing most of the final quarter, Lake Washington was able to use their size to outscore the Eagles 19-13, but still lost in a blowout with a final score of 56-32.

“We were ready coming in, so getting this one in the way we did feels really good and it’s exciting. Defense is the key for our team, it sets the pace for us and it gives us a lot of confidence for our offense,” said Eagles’ sophomore point guard Keira Marsh.

Arlington was led by their guard duo of Marsh and junior Hailey Hiatt. Marsh led all scorers with 17 points and two three-pointers while also grabbing six rebounds and forcing four steals. Hiatt was right behind her with the second-highest total of 13 points and one three along with two assists, five rebounds and a steal.

“It all starts with the defense. At this point in the year you want to be playing your best basketball and it worked out that way today. Our depth is a huge strength for us because we can play our full roster while other teams are shortening their rotation down to six or seven. We have energy and fresh legs while they’re getting tired. That pressure wears on them and then we can take advantage of their mental mistakes,” said Arlington Head Coach Joe Marsh.

The rest of the starting lineup of Jenna Villa, Josie Stupey and Makenzie Gage filled their roles and played off each other. Villa, freshman forward, scored six points with a three-pointer, two assists and four rebounds. Stupey, junior guard, led the team in steals with five, along with three points, two assists and six rebounds. Gage, junior forward, had the tough task of shutting down the Kangaroos’ 6’4” center and was incredibly successful while also putting up three points, one assist and two steals.

The Eagles’ bench was incredible as five out of seven players were able to get on the scoreboard. Hannah Rork, sophomore guard, came in for limited minutes but made the most of her time with four points, one three-pointer and two rebounds. Abbey Hassing, junior guard, came out with confidence as she organized the Eagles' offense when she was on the floor putting up two points, two assists, five rebounds and a steal. Ella Strittmatter, junior forward, came in the fourth quarter and used her length to record an assist, two rebounds and two blocks.

After the dominate victory against the Kangaroos, the Eagles have punched their ticket into the Quarterfinals of the 3A Girls State Basketball Tournament at the Tacoma Dome on Thursday, March 5, at 5:30 p.m.