Central Valley girls draw on experience, pull away from Glacier Peak in state regional

So much confidence. It comes when your senior class has been part of two state title teams in their careers.

Up by six at halftime, Central Valley turned up the defensive pressure and added to its impressive state tournament resume.

Tomekia Whitman scored 18 points with nine rebounds, MJ Bruno had 12 off the bench and fourth-seeded Central Valley pulled away to beat fifth-seeded Glacier Peak 59-44 in a 4A state regional game at University HS.

Defending state champ CV went 23 of 29 at the line as three Grizzlies fouled out.

“No pressure,” said CV first-year coach Ryan Bragdon. “And for this senior class it’s kind of routine for them which is a good situation to be in.

“An aggressive, physical game like this they showed a lot of poise and executed from start to finish and that’s what you need in this type of game.”

Whitman said the Bears rely on their experience in big situations.

“Honestly, we just stayed calm and kept everybody in the game using what we’ve known from before and just incorporating it into this season.”

Glacier Peak (20-2) won the Wesco League title and was the second seed out of the Wes-King district tourney, falling to then-No. 1 Woodinville in the title game.

The Grizzlies topped District 8 tourney champ Lewis and Clark 49-40 in their holiday tournament on Dec. 29.

A fast-paced first quarter saw Glacier Peak up 17-14, with GP’s Malia Smith and CV’s Kate Sams scoring six points apiece.

Anika Chalich and Mady Simmelink popped 3s early in the second to put CV up by five. Tomekia Whitman scored eight in the frame and CV led 31-25 at the break.

MJ Bruno gathered her own miss and the putback gave CV a nine-point lead midway through the third. The Bears allowed just six points in the quarter and led by 11 after three.

“We’ve been working on our defense all season and that’s what we always focus on,” Whitman said. “When we do well on defense it leads to good offense.”

Camyrn Skaife hit a pair of 3s in the fourth and the Bears sealed it at the line, hitting 7 of 8 in the frame.