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La Salle outlasts Mossyrock

Lightning in title game after physical, foul-filled semifinal

Josh Petrie  •  Staff writer
Published March 4, 2006

Gonzaga's David Pendergraft, left, and Derek Raivio sign autographs at the State B tournament. (Christopher Anderson The Spokesman-Review )

Mossyrock head coach Gary Stamper knew he was in for a physical game when his Vikings lined up to play La Salle for the second straight year in the State B tournament.

He just didn't know Friday night's semifinal would be this physical.

"They play good pressure defense, and there was a lot of body contact, just like last year," Stamper said. "It's a physical game, but it needs to be called fairly both ways."

In a game that saw the referee's whistle put to good use and the game slow to a standstill, it was La Salle that fought its way to a 46-37 victory and a date with Curlew in tonight's State B championship game.

"As a team, we played really well just to work hard and get it done," La Salle sophomore forward Jasmine Stohr said. "We executed our plays."

In all, 41 fouls were called, 26 in the first half. Ten players were called for at least three fouls as both coaches found out just how deep their benches could go. However, La Salle coach Todd Kent went only seven players deep instead of his customary eight or nine, summoning Megan Bonny and Maria Wytko to put in quality minutes.

"Our kids did a nice job attacking offensively and defensively and adjusting to what was going on," Kent said. "Megan Bonny and Maria Wytko both did exactly what they needed to do to make sure they would help this team win."

Stamper had more pressing issues, as his team was called for 15 fouls in the first half alone and 24 for the game. By halftime, starters Kelsey Forrest, Alysha Kuse, Lexi Belcher and Corina Allen had three fouls apiece.

"When you lose (four) starters with three fouls in the first half, it takes us completely out of the game," Stamper said. "We just weathered the storm, and that's what we had to do."

Despite the stop-and-go style of play, both teams played neck and neck for the first three quarters. Belcher, stymied into a 2-for-15 shooting performance by the Lightning defense, started to work the offense, consistently setting up center Tisa Pelletier for open shots on the baseline and layups on either side of the key.

Pelletier gave Mossyrock the early edge at halftime, driving downcourt in the final seconds and hitting a swooping hook shot on the right side of the floor at the buzzer to give the Vikings a 23-22 lead.

The Vikings hit another shot in the closing seconds to end a see-saw battle in the third quarter, as sophomore reserve Sarah Petrino hit a 16-footer just behind the right elbow of the lane with three seconds left to even the score at 31.

In the fourth, just as they did Thursday against rival Sunnyside Christian, La Salle's defense took over, holding the Vikings to six points. But the real turning point came with 6:58 left, when Allen was called for an offensive foul in the backcourt. She proceeded to roll the basketball behind her and off the court, earning a technical foul call from official Moises Garcia and a seat on the bench with her fifth foul.

Molly McGree hit the two technical free throws to give La Salle a two-point lead, then hit an open 3-pointer on the left wing and put back Monica Schneider's missed 3 to give the Lightning a seven-point lead with 5:21 remaining.

La Salle now has a rematch with Curlew, which beat the Lightning in the quarterfinals last year. The Cougars went on to finish third, while the Lightning beat Mossyrock for fourth.

"They're a great basketball team, and it's gonna be a good matchup," Kent said. "It's gonna be a fun game, it's gonna be fun to be a part of, and our kids will be ready to go."