Late Game Cold Spell Dooms Scots in District Final

The Shorecrest Scots girls basketball team is still headed for the 3A state playoffs, but not with the District crown they were hoping to bear.

The Grizzlies stayed just close enough throughout the middle periods and took advantage of a six minute stretch where the Scots would score only two points to come out with a 62-55 overtime win and the Northwest District 1 championship.

The loss snaps a 13-game winning streak for coach Dori Monson's Scots.

Shorecrest took a lead of 16-14 on a Brianne Lasconia layup with 3:25 remaining in the first period and would extend their advantage to as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter before the Grizzlies regained their composure and began chipping away.

Glacier Peak cut it to 49-44 on a bucket from senior Becca Smith with 3:10 left in the game, but the Scots seemed to be in control after Shorecrest guard Christina Jarvis banked home a three-pointer and India Matheson converted two free throws to push the GP deficit back to nine with only two minutes left.

But the Grizzlies would fight their way back into contention and the Scots would scuffle at the free throw line down the stretch, allowing for an unlikely comeback in the final fifteen seconds.

With only 12.2 seconds remaining after a missed Shorecrest free throw, sophomore Allie Weathersby banked in a three of her own from the left wing to give Glacier Peak new life at 53-51.

Another missed free throw from the Scots rimmed off and the Grizzlies moved the ball into the front-court and found an open Olivia Van Dlac under the basket for a layup as the game clock hit zero to send the game to overtime.

"It gave us new life and I think we had momentum at that point," said Glacier Peak coach Brian Hill.

Riding their excitement from the Van Dlac's buzzer-beater, it was all GP in the extra four minutes.

After Matheson scored with 3:22 left to make it 55-55, Glacier Peak rolled off the next seven points while forcing the Scots into turnovers and suspect attempts at the basket.

Even as the Grizzlies fell behind, head coach Brian Hill and his staff stressed the importance of continuing to give the effort to make a comeback possible.

"We just kept saying, "It's not over," said Hill amidst the postgame celebration.

Hawkins led GP with 15 points and Taylor Rasmussen finished with 12, including assisting Van Dlac on the crucial layup to force overtime.

Brianne Lasconia led all scorers with 17 points for the Scots.

Janie Uppinghouse had 12 and India Matheson had ten points in the loss.

With the win, the Grizzlies claim not only the 3A District 1 Title but also the accompanying number one seed at the state tournament, which begins next week.

With the new WIAA state tournament format, GP will also be afforded the luxury of playing in a first round game where the winner moves directly into the next round and the loser is afforded another opportunity to move on.

The Scots meanwhile, will take the second seed from District 1 and will be forced back into the fire immediately and will need to win two consecutive games to make it to the state Tournament's round of eight.

In their first round matchup, Shorecrest will play a loser-out game against the third seeded team from Districts 3 and 4, which come together in a bi-district tournament that will end on Monday.

If the Scots win that game, they will play another first round game that will either send them to the Tacoma Dome or end their season.

Check-in with Shoreline Patch throughout the coming days for an update on who the Scots will face next.