L.C., U-Hi have work cut out

Despite their glossy records – a combined 47-3 mark with all losses coming against each other – nobody said it would be easy for the University and Lewis and Clark girls at this week’s State 4A basketball tournament.

A look at the draw for the tournament, which begins Wednesday in the Tacoma Dome, offers evidence why. The two Greater Spokane League schools, ranked among the state’s top three all season long, have no gimmies on either side of the bracket.

The regional champion Titans (24-1) play state perennial Redmond (18-6) at 3:30 p.m. It took a late 3-point basket for the Tigers to beat the Mustangs to start the season.

And they also have four other teams in their half of the bracket with three or fewer losses. Included are Monroe (21-3) with 6-foot-6 Arizona State-bound Kirsten Thompson, and Snohomish (22-1). The Panthers only loss was its season opener at U-Hi.

The Tigers (23-2) play Central Kitsap at 2 p.m. They also have Eisenhower, (23-2), Prairie (23-3), a six-time finalist making its 10th appearance with a junior-oriented team, Meadowdale (22-1), whose only loss is to Snohomish 50-34 for the district championship, and Garfield (22-1) on their side.

“We talked from day one how deep the state was,” said LC coach Jim Redmon. “Following the draw when you look at the lineup it’s shocking. Both of us are just pleased and feel good that we’re even involved in this.”

The “us” includes U-Hi coach Mark Stinson. The morning after their draining overtime regional championship classic, won 81-71 by the Titans, the coaches, who are good friends, drove together for the draw.

“I think we’re over that,” said Stinson. “We’re just focused on being teamed up and getting info on the other side. We come over like we’re from a different planet. They get to see each other during the year.”

Back from last year are five state placers, runner-up Garfield, semifinalists Prairie (third) and Snohomish (sixth), Richland (fourth) and Monroe (fifth) and five other state qualifiers, including the Titans and Tigers.

Their work is cut out for them.

“I think you have to win four really tough games if you want to be champion,” said Stinson. “Heck you’re going to have to win two tough games just to get a trophy.”

Added Redmon, as they shared a cell phone on the way home, “We’re just excited to be part of it.”

Boys

Getting to state was an accomplishment for a pair of semi-rookie head coaches, Barry Olson of Ferris and Mike Haugen of Gonzaga Prep.

Their teams are playing in Tacoma a year after the GSL was blanked at regionals.

“Talk about a new experience,” said Saxons first-year head coach Olson, who previously was a girls head coach in Colorado. “I was fortunate to be there (three years ago) as an assistant coach. None of the kids were there. This is a first-time experience for them.”

The Bullpups are back under Haugen for the first time since 2000. He’s coaching after a two-year retirement.

They’re on the same side of the bracket. The Saxons (21-4) open against state-tested Mountlake Terrace (19-5).

Prep (18-9) drew last year’s third-place finishing Bethel Braves (24-2) in its opener.