Washington high school (WIAA) 2A girls basketball regionals 2024: Ellensburg on quest for history
With the 16-team field set for regional round of the 2023-24 WIAA Class 2A girls basketball tournament, here is SBLive WA’s weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch – and game score predictions:
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CLASS 2A GIRLS REGIONALS (Bracket)
Photo by Todd Milles
TOP BILLING
Reigning state champion Ellensburg is riding a state-best 72-game winning streak - and thrives in most pressure-packed moments.
BEST BET TO SCORE 30
Northwest Nazarene signee Chloe Deharo is a walking bucket, and West Valley of Spokane needs her to score big to survive.
RIDE THIS DARKHORSE
Port Angeles (No. 11 seed) has become a state-tournament fixture, and its variety of zone defenses can keep better teams off balance.
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PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
No. 1 Ellensburg (21-0) vs. No. 8 Columbia River (18-6)
8 p.m. Friday, Ellensburg High School
Skinny: Rapids have won WIAA girls titles in volleyball and soccer - but the hardcourt is where Bulldogs own all oncomers.
Pick: Ellensburg, 70-53
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No. 2 Lynden (23-1) vs. No. 7 White River (20-3)
8 p.m. Friday, Lynden High School
Skinny: Hornets have been pain in side of Rob Adams' group, but Lions size, strength should wear 2A SPSL champions down. .
Pick: Lynden, 65-51.
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No. 3 W.F. West (20-3) vs. No. 6 Archbishop Murphy (19-5)
8 p.m. Friday, W.F. West High School
Skinny: Always seems to come down to Wildcats making 3-pointers - and they will need to against stingy W.F. West zone defense.
Pick: Archbishop Murphy, 53-50.
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No. 4 Prosser (19-5) vs. No. 5 Clarkston (23-0)
Noon Saturday, Kamiakin High School
Skinny: On scoring potential alone with both backcours, this is the matchup of the round. First one to 80 points wins?
Pick: Prosser, 78-76.
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Photo courtesy of Mark Morris athletics
WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
No. 9 Ridgefield (19-3) vs. No. 16 Kingston (14-9)
6 p.m. Friday, Battle Ground High School
Skinny: Been 17 years since the Spudders reached WIAA tournament - and their fullcourt pressure will send them to Yakima.
Pick: Ridgefield, 63-41.
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No. 10 Sammamish (16-7) vs. No. 15 North Kitsap (13-10)
2 p.m. Saturday, Issaquah High School
Skinny: G Sophia Eastman's scoring and RedHawks' relentless defensive pressure will be a lot for Vikings to handle.
Pick: Sammamish, 50-33.
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No. 11 Port Angeles (17-7) vs. No. 14 West Valley of Spokane (13-9)
2 p.m. Saturday, Tacoma Community College
Skinny: Expect the Roughriders to throw the kitchen sink at Eagles' standout Chloe Deharo - and barely survive an upset bid.
Pick: Port Angeles, 42-40.
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No. 12 Enumclaw (15-8) vs. No. 13 Mark Morris (14-9)
Noon Saturday, Auburn High School
Skinny: If Hornets are committed to involving F Bella Firnkoess in the action, they win. That hasn't always been the case, however.
Pick: Enumclaw, 61-51.
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