The final 12 boys basketball teams from classifications 1B-2A have made their way to Spokane and Yakima, and four area teams are alive for a state championship.
The Tenino Beavers, Adna Pirates, and Mossyrock Vikings will begin play in the Round of 12 on Wednesday, while the Napavine Tigers have earned a bye to Thursday’s quarterfinals.
Below, we’ll go rapid-fire through Wednesday’s Round of 12 matchups, beginning with the 8-9 matchup in the 1A bracket:
Tenino
Class 1A Round of 12: No. 8 Tenino (16-7) vs. No. 9 King’s (16-8)
When: Wednesday, Feb. 28
Where: Yakima Valley SunDome, Yakima
Time: 2 p.m.
At stake: Winner advances to the quarterfinal round to face No. 2 Lynden Christian at 2 p.m. on Thursday
How they got there: The Beavers were the runners-up in District 4, losing a 67-63 heartbreaker to Seton Catholic. Tenino lost in the opening round to top-seeded and unbeaten Zillah 65-39. The Knights placed second out of District 2, then upended Lakeside (9 Mile) 43-25 in an elimination game to reach the Round of 12.
Off the backboard: Tenino is back in the state tournament for the first time since 2007 and aiming for its sixth win in school history at state. The Beavers have placed just once, which was fourth. They have lost back-to-back games after winning five straight games. Of the players listed on Tenino’s roster, just two are seniors. King’s is the two-time Class 1A state runner-up, losing both times to Lynden Christian. The Knights have just four upperclassmen on their roster.
Adna
Class 2B Round of 12: No. 10 Adna (19-7) vs No. 7 St. George’s (19-7)
When: Wednesday, Feb. 28
Where: Spokane Arena, Spokane
Time: 5:30 p.m.
At Stake: Winner advances to quarterfinals to face No. 1 Columbia (Burbank) on Thursday
How they got here: The Pirates made it to the District 4 title game before falling to Napavine, and they topped La Conner in overtime to advance to the Round of 12. St. George’s took second in the District 7 title game, and they fell to Napavine in the opening round.
Off the backboard: Adna had to stay afloat after injuries to Eli Smith and Braeden Salme, and the Pirates did just that. While Smith hasn’t been able to return, Salme is looking like his old self, and he’s had a few huge performances during the postseason. In Saturday’s win over La Conner, he scored 27 points, and in the District 4 quarterfinals against Ilwaco, he scored 37.
Mossyrock
Class 1B Round of 12: No. 7 Mossyrock (16-7) vs No. 15 Summit Classical Christian (19-7)
When: Wednesday, Feb. 28
Where: Spokane Arena, Spokane
Time: 10:30 a.m.
At Stake: Winner advances to quarterfinals to face No. 1 Lummi Nation on Thursday
How they got here: Mossyrock finished second in the CVL standings, but then won three straight to take the District 4 crown before falling to Wellpinit, the reigning champion, in its Regional. Summit Classical Christian had to win two elimination games to earn a trip to Spokane, topping No. 18 Northport and No. 10 Soap Lake to clinch a spot in the Round of 12.
Off the backboard: Zack Munoz is closing in on 1,000 points, and while it may be tough to score the 36 points needed in one matchup, a win would guarantee Munoz and the Vikings at least two more chances. Mossyrock will be looking to place for the second consecutive season, as the Vikings brought home the fourth-place trophy.
