Washington high school (WIAA) 3A girls basketball regionals 2024: Mead No. 1, but Garfield still lurking
With the 16-team field set for regional round of the 2023-24 WIAA Class 3A girls basketball tournament, here is SBLive WA’s weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch – and game score predictions:
---
CLASS 3A GIRLS REGIONALS (Bracket)
Photo by Todd Milles
TOP BILLING
Until Garfield's three-year championship reign ends, PG Katie Fiso and company are still the team to beat in the postseason.
BEST BET TO SCORE 30
When North Thurston PG Soraya Ogaldez creates a seam and gets downhill, she usually gets to the basket - and starts piling up points.
RIDE THIS DARKHORSE
Returning three-time state finalist Lake Washington is a No. 9 seed. Yes, there have been growing pains, but team still a contender.
---
Photo by Vince Miller
PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
No. 1 Mead (23-1) vs. No. 8 North Thurston (19-1)
Noon Saturday, West Valley High School, Spokane
Skinny: Both squads are ready to unleash 84 feet of defensive fury. Thing is, Panthers take care of basketball far better.
Pick: Mead, 80-58.
____
No. 2 Lakeside of Seattle (22-3) vs. No. 7 Bonney Lake (19-3)
10 a.m. Saturday, Bellevue College
Skinny: Will be fun to see how skyscraping Bonney Lake and its zone defense contains Lions G Mia Broom from getting in lane.
Pick: Lakeside of Seattle, 48-41.
____
No. 3 Snohomish (17-5) vs. No. 6 Garfield (17-3)
8 p.m. Friday, Arlingon High School
Skinny: It's all about pace. If fast-paced Bulldogs are allowed to run, especially in transition - Panthers likely left behind.
Pick: Garfield, 55-50.
____
No. 4 Auburn (23-2) vs. No. 5 Arlington (20-3)
6 p.m. Friday, Auburn High School
Skinny: WCD champion Trojans don't appear fazed by moment - and this could be a 32-minute war of up-and-down attrition.
Pick: Arlington, 70-66.
____
Photo by Todd Milles
WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES
No. 9 Lake Washington (20-5) vs. No. 17 Eastside Catholic (11-16)
Noon Saturday, Bellevue College
Skinny: Reason Kangaroos are in a loser-out situation? Their unexpected districts-ending loss to this same team. Won't happen again.
Pick: Lake Washington, 61-52.
____
No. 10 Lincoln of Tacoma (16-7) vs. No. 15 Roosevelt (15-11)
8 p.m. Saturday, Tacoma Community College
Skinny: Roughriders have really sped things up during late-season surge - and will have apt running mate on other side.
Pick: Lincoln of Tacoma, 60-54..
____
No. 11 Kennewick (17-7) vs. No. 14 Ridgeline (15-10)
6 p.m. Friday, Richland High School
Skinny: Played close game a week ago at districts - and now all-underclassmen Falcons go back to Tri-Cities again. Tough ask.
Pick: Kennewick, 64-57..
____
No. 12 Everett (16-8) vs. No. 20 Seattle Prep (15-13)
6 p.m. Friday, Battle Ground High School
Skinny: Washington twin sisters versus Panthers' Grace Renners and Cody Kohler in all-6-footer wing matchup? Yes, please.
Pick: Everett, 59-51..
____
