Washington: Top-Ranked Franklin Dominates State Tourney

The Franklin Quakers were ranked No. 1 in 3A the entire season, stamping them as favorites heading into the Class 3A state tournament.

The Quakers (28-1) showed those labels were correctly applied, crushing Columbia River of Vancouver 51-34 in the state title game at the Tacoma Dome.

Franklin of Seattle used its speed and athleticism to neutralize Columbia Rivers' height advantage. Franklin's players were all 6-foot-3 or under, quite a difference compared to River's 6-10 center Steven Bjornstad, a Nevada signee.

"This is what you work for," Franklin coach Jason Kerr told the Seattle Times after winning his third state title.

Franklin dominated the entire season, winning every game except one decided by a buzzer beater at Bainbridge. The Quakers won four state tournament games by 17 points per game.

Franklin used 10 first-quarter turnovers to jump out to a big lead thanks to a 21-0 run.

Louisville-bound guard Peyton Siva averaged 11 points per game but led the tourney in assists and steals and earned MVP honors. Siva had 10 in the title game. Freddy Wilson led Fanklin with 10.

Bjornstad had 10 points and seven rebounds for Columbia River.

Girls Basketball: Kennedy caps perfect season with title

Last season, the Kennedy Lancers lost to Auburn-Riverside in the championship game of the Class 3A state tournament.

They haven't lost since.

"That hurt really bad," Daidra Brown told the Seattle Times. "We didn't want to let it happen again."

The Lancers of Burien (28-0) capped a perfect season by beating the Shadle Park Highlanders (22-7) of Spokane 50-43 in the Class 3A girls title game.

Brown hit a pair of key free throws with 23.5 seconds remaining. Yas Fuller was named MVP after she scored 20 points, including another key bucket in the final minute.

"Last year, we were crying," Fuller told the Times. "This year we're crying tears of glory."

Bianca Pope held Shadle with 10 points.

Boys Basketball: Squalicum wins 2A crown

The Squalicum Storm topped the Class 2A polls all season and were expected to come home with the Class 2A state title.

The Storm (26-1) did exactly that, beating district rival Burlington-Edison 47-37 in the title game at the Yakima SunDome. Squalicum, which improved on last year's third-place finish in the Class 3A tourney, beat BE for the Northwest District title a week earlier.

"This is what we've all been working so hard for all year," Squalicum's Keith Stackhouse told the Bellingham Herald. "This is what we sweated all those buckets for. We all wanted this so much and to finally get it is just incredible."

Stackhouse scored 11 points in the title game was named tourney MVP.

The Storm dropped down to the 2A classification this year and were immediately named state favorite. Their only loss this season came to national power Mater Dei in California.

"Anything less than this would have been a disappointment to a lot of people," Squalicum coach Dave Dickson told the Herald. "But I have to say that win or lose tonight, I just enjoyed my team so much this year and it’s been a joy to coach competitors and teach them life lessons. That we've been able to win every game this year except for one is just a bonus."

Girls Basketball: Lynden ends ATM's perfect season

The Archbishop Murphy beat the Lynden Lions by 20 points for the Northwest District title a week before.

ATM was undefeated at the time and it was still when it marched in the Class 2A state title game at the Yakima SunDome.

But Lynden (23-4) earned a giant measure of revenge by beating ATM (26-1) 48-41 in the title game.

It's Lynden's first state girls hoops title.

"It's amazing how loose we were," Lynden coach Rob Adams told the Associated Press.

Tourney MVP Brandi Brenner scored 19 to lead the Lions.