In a matchup of potential Class 4A state-title contenders next season, third-ranked Beamer made just enough winning plays to secure a school-best third-place finish with a 45-42 win over Moses Lake on Saturday at 4A state in the Tacoma Dome.
TACOMA — In a matchup of potential Class 4A state-title contenders next season, third-ranked Beamer made just enough winning plays to secure a school-best third-place finish with a 45-42 win over Moses Lake at the Tacoma Dome.
“After the loss yesterday, it was really hard for us and we had to come back together,” Beamer junior Makenna Woodfolk said after bouncing back from a 41-39 loss to Gonzaga Prep in the semifinals on a late Laura Stockton three.
“This matchup was really equal. I think the love we have for the game and the love for each other made us want to make history for our school.”
Quinessa Caylao-Do and Nia Alexander each scored 17 points to carry the junior-dominated Beamer squad to the finish. Caylao-Do sank two free throws with 37.9 seconds left for a 43-37 lead.
State Hoops 2015
Boys:- Boys brackets
- Federal Way has to wait a while to win 4A state title
- Garfield knocks off 3-time champ Rainier Beach, wins second straight title
- Third place feels pretty good for Eastside Catholic boys
- Isiah Brown's big game gives Lakeside claim to fourth place in 3A boys tourney
- In record-setting performance, Ty Gibson helps Issaquah boys take fourth
- Union proves too much for Woodinville in 4A boys tourney
- Girls brackets
- Gonzaga Prep beats Inglemoor in double overtime thriller, 57-52
- Mikayla Pivec's monster game leads Lynnwood to 3A girls title over Cleveland
- Beamer bounces back, takes third at 4A girls tournament
- Late stop helps Blanchet take third at 3A girls tournament
- Young Arlington girls squad takes fourth at 3A tournament
- Walla Walla gets big game from seniors to nab fourth in 4A girls tournament
Avery Clark had two free throws for Moses Lake to make it 43-39 and the Titans (27-2) had to hang on late when Jessie Loera drained a three-pointer with 12.1 seconds showing to pull the sixth-ranked Chiefs (22-4) within 44-42. Alexander made 1 of 2 free throws with 10.9 seconds showing and then Loera misfired long on a three with five seconds to go.
Bria Rice grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 2.4 seconds left. She missed both free throws but Woodfolk cleaned up the miss — her sixth rebound of the game — and time ran out.
“I think we’ll come back strong next year,” said Woodfolk, who helped the program past the regional round for the first time in school history this season.
The Titans won despite shooting 20 percent from the floor (10 of 50) and offset that inaccuracy with 22 of 33 from the foul stripe. Caylao-Do was 14 of 17 from the line and Alexander hit 7 of 10 foul shots.
“The girls have big hearts and they’re young,” said Beamer coach Corey Alexander, whose returning group makes it a 4A state favorite for 2016. “Next year should be our year to do it.”
It was the Chiefs’ best finish — fifth — since taking sixth in 2009 and second-highest finish since grabbing second in 2008.
Senior McKenna Walker led Moses Lake with 16 points and 10 rebounds. In foul trouble most of the game, Loera, a junior guard, had five points, 11 under her season average.