TODAY’S MATCHUPS

Tacoma Dome

Girls

Lewis and Clark (23-2) vs. Central Kitsap (21-4), 2 p.m.: Back at state (following a year’s absence) for their fourth tourney appearance, Central Kitsap’s Cougars have yet to win a tourney game. They qualified seventh from the West Central-Southwest district. “I talked to some people and they say it is probably the deepest that district has been in the last few years,” said University coach Mark Stinson. In two of Central Kitsap’s five games, Megan Hoisington scored 28 and 21 points. In others, she didn’t reach double figures. Randie Lee, Amy Spieker and Emily Zymontowicz are other Cougars who can provide offense. “They don’t have a lot of height, but I don’t know much (else) about them,” said LC coach Jim Redmon. Point guard Briann January (14.2 ppg, but 18.6 in postseason) and post Heather Bowman (16.5) led LC’s Tigers to their third straight state trip. But they have other weapons, notably players with speed for defense, transition and perimeter shooting. “Quite honestly, at this time of year, there’s no time to adjust,” said Redmon. “The bottom line is if the kids are ready or not.”

University (24-1) vs. Redmond (18-6), 3:30 p.m.: The U-Hi Titans are making their second straight trip to state. They won one of three games last year, losing to runner-up Garfield and Central Valley. Redmond, a good perimeter team, is back after a year’s absence. The Mustangs have three double-figure scorers in guards MacKenzie Flynn, who played on their 2003 state semifinalists, Colleen Betteridge and 6-0 Erika Edwards. Another veteran of the 2003 semifinalists is Tanna Radtke. Of their six losses, five have come to state qualifiers, LC (“It was a nail-biter throughout,” said Redmon), Monroe, Snohomish by one point, and twice to Garfield. The Titans, led by Angie Bjorklund (20.0 ppg) and Jami Bjorklund (16.4) have had major contributions from their other starters and off the bench. “(LC) having played Redmond really helps us,” said Titans coach Mark Stinson. “At the same time, they change so much during the year, you can’t dwell on it. The state tournament is a compact four days. Hopefully, we’ll really come together as a team.”

Boys

Gonzaga Prep (18-9) vs. Bethel (24-2), 3:30 p.m.: The G-Prep Bullpups weren’t given any favors in their opening-round game. Bethel’s Braves have been in every state tournament since 1999. They are coming off a 54-53 win over top-ranked South Kitsap at district and feature 6-8 Eastern Washington University-bound Brandon Moore, the Tacoma News Tribune’s Area Player of the Year. Moore, who averages 14 points and 11 rebounds per game, is joined on the front line by 6-8 Alex Tiefenthaler, who is headed to the University of Portland. The Pups will counter with the outside shooting of 6-1 Michael Johnson, an all-regional selection, and the inside presence of 6-3 Ryan Murphy.

Mountlake Terrace (19-5) vs. Ferris (21-4), 7 p.m.: The good news for the Mountlake Terrace Hawks: They are playing in their third consecutive state tournament. The bad news: They’ve been two-and-out the past two years. But four starters return from last year’s 20-6 team that lost by two in the first round to eventual runner-up South Kitsap. Michael Boxley, a strong 6-5 forward, paces the scoring at almost 13 points a game, and 6-7 Leigh Swanson and 6-2 guard Adrian Blake are both in double figures. The Ferris Saxons rely on a balanced attack, paced by Jeremy Templeton’s 13 ppg. The Greater Spokane League champions, who have five second-place finishes and one state title since 1988, also have depth, playing 10 players consistently.