Mead girls fourth

TACOMA – Mead did its part in Greater Spokane League girls basketball’s finest hour.

The Panthers defeated Snohomish 60-31 to place fourth at the State 4A Girls tournament in the Tacoma Dome and be part of an unprecedented three-team GSL finish that included the two state finalists.

It was the best showing ever by a league and region that has recorded numerous superlatives over the past 20 such tournaments, including 15 finalists and 10 champions.

Mead secured fourth place in a game that was somewhat anticlimactic compared to its previous two games against teams that had entered the tournament unbeaten.

“I’m kind of glad about that,” said coach Regan Drew afterwards. “We had talked about how tough our quad alone was.”

It featured three state placers, including third-place Kentwood, the only non-Greater Spokane League team to finish higher than Mead in State. All seven of the Panthers (24-7) losses this year came to those above it at state: Lewis and Clark, University and the Conquerors.

“We played tough opposition this season and finished strong,” said Drew. “It’s a credit to our senior leadership. They deserve this.”

Snohomish (17-10) proved no match for Mead on Saturday. Following a tentative start, in which Snohomish took a pair of first-quarter leads, the last at 11-10 with 1 minute, 52 seconds remaining, Mead took off.

Fueled by fourth-year senior Kelli Valentine, Mead outscored Snohomish 18-2 over the next 6 minutes, the last 16 points in succession.

Snohomish would score just five points over a 16:32 span – more than two quarters – and by then Mead’s lead would be 43-16 with just 1:05 left until the fourth quarter.

Ten different players scored, led by Valentine’s 16 points and Kami Clark’s 10-point, 11-rebound effort in their final high school games.

“It’s nice to go out with a win,” said Clark. “This team has been amazing.”

When the game had ended there were plenty of tears to go around, both of joy, for the accomplishment, and sadness that the season and some careers were at an end.

“I don’t even have words. It hit me at the beginning of the game when we were in the team huddle,” said Valentine. “Of all the teams in state, to be fourth is so good for the GSL. One, two, four – oh my gosh.”