TACOMA — Got height? No problem.
The Arlington girls basketball team chopped down Lincoln 48-33 in the first round of the 3A state tournament March 3.
“We’ve been dealing with it all year,” coach Joe Marsh said, remembering wins over Glacier Peak and most recently Bishop Blanchet in the region title game.
Despite the taller roster of Lincoln, the Eagles found ways to get around the Abes’ bigs, using offensive passing and 3-point goals.
“We shot threes all year long. It’s part of what we do,” Marsh said. “We did that tonight and knocked some down. It’s a great weapon for us.”
Arlington seniors Serafina Balderas with 10 and Sevi Biesler with nine led the Eagles in points. Biesler was 3-for-8 and Balderas, 2-for-5 behind the arc.
“It’s tough to shoot in the Dome at times,” Marsh said. “But when these kids get a feeling, they hit it.”
Arlington’s defense also had success. The Eagles combined for 14 steals and tied the Abes 2-2 in blocks.
“Defense has been phenomenal tonight,” Marsh said. “It’s been our thing all year long. When we manage to hold that team to 33 points, we’re in pretty good shape.”
The first quarter was a contentious defensive affair with little scoring. The Abes climbed to a 6-3 lead, until Balderas was fouled and made both free throws, and then fellow senior Sarah Shortt made a quick pass to junior Abby Anderson for a lay-in to tie it 6-6. Lincoln climbed to 9-6, but Balderas landed a buzzer-beating three-pointer, which tied it 9-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Both teams went scoreless three minutes into the second quarter, until Lincoln established a 13-9 lead only to be stifled by another Arlington 3-pointer by Shortt who was 2-for-3 in the game. Arlington caused a turnover shortly after that, and senior Emma Janousek was fouled hard on a layup taking back the lead 15-13. Tied 15-15, Biesler hit a 3-pointer ending the second quarter with the Eagles ahead 18-17.
After halftime, the Abes weren’t ready to quit, as Faith Brantley started things off with a three, but Arlington’s Janousek and Balderas were able to get to the free throw line. Arlington’s defense shutdown Lincoln’s offense creating turnovers combined with scores from inside and out, including 3-point goals by Balderas and Biesler. Arlington led 32-25 going into the final quarter.
The Eagles never looked back as they continued to put on a shooting and defensive clinic, with Biesler hitting her third 3-pointer.
“We’re really excited for these seniors. This team is excited and doing well,” Marsh said. “They really want to end their career the right way.”
The Arlington girls take on Kamiakin in the semifinals March 4 in the Tacoma Dome at 9 p.m.
