Photo by Andy Buhler
Taija Mackey takes over, No. 3 Pasco girls pull away from No. 6 Emerald Ridge to book 4A state quarterfinal trip
RICHLAND, Wash. — Taija Mackey didn't need verbal confirmation from either of her fellow Pasco standouts. Once Mya Groce and Taleya Maiden both fouled out in the fourth quarter of the 4A regional playoffs against Emerald Ridge, the 6-foot senior post acted on an unspoken understanding the three share.
She took over.
Mackey finished with 27 points and 19 boards as the 3-seeded Bulldogs beat the 6-seed Jaguars 65-54 at Richland High School Saturday afternoon to earn a first round by and a trip to the 4A girls state quarterfinals Thursday.
"That's the thing about our team that a lot of people don't have, we have that dynamic," Mackey said. "When somebody's not having their game, another person steps up."
It's a level of trust they've built year over year since the trio started playing together when they were in elementary school. Some nights, it's Groce, the fiery first team all-Mid Columbia Conference point guard. Some nights it's forward Taleya Maiden.
"We know," Mackey said. "We make that eye contact ... then we go out and get it done."
For a moment in the fourth quarter Saturday, it appeared Mackey's absence was the one the Bulldogs would need to account for after an opponent landed on her knee, aggravating an MCL injury had recovered from, but wore a brace. Mackey was helped off the floor and exited the game.
Shortly after, Emerald Ridge guard Kali Haizlip hit a 3 to pull the Jaguars within six with 5:30 left. Haizlip finished with a team-high 20 points.
Then Mackey checked back in and helped the Bulldogs pull away, but not before the game got chippy. Groce picked up her fourth and fifth fouls after getting tangled up with an ER guard.
Emerald Ridge's season continues at the Tacoma Dome Wednesday, where it will play Moses Lake in the first round at 9 a.m. Pasco plays at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, opponent TBD.
"We kind of got punched in a mouth a couple times here and there throughout the game, but I thought we fought back well," Pasco coach Aaron Barcot said.
Mackey saw doubles and fought through a Emerald Ridge frontcourt that had size and strength to match her on paper, and she rose to the occasion.
"It pushed me to play harder because I knew they were good. Those are my favorite games," Mackey said.
Now, the Bulldogs are headed to state for the first time since any of the current players have been in high school. Playing in the Tacoma Dome is a goal the senior class set as freshmen. Mackey said they even said it the first time they were interviewed.
"That's one of the best feelings in the world," Mackey said.
"Four years later, here we are, we're on our way. It feels great to finally get there."
Pasco-Emerald Ridge WIAA 4A girls regional round
Pasco-Emerald Ridge WIAA 4A girls regional round
Photo by Andy Buhler
Photo by Andy Buhler
