The Squalicum boys couldn’t pull off the big upset Thursday night, falling at Arlington, 54-42, in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A District 1/2 tournament.
But that doesn’t mean the Storm’s dream of reaching state is over. Squalicum (9-13), the tournament’s 10th and final seed, now will have to work through the losers’ bracket starting Friday, when Squalicum faces Shorewood (7-13) at Shoreline in a loser-out contest at 7 p.m.
The winner of that game will play the loser of Friday’s Marysville-Pilchuck and Stanwood semifinal on Saturday at 12:30 at Everett Community College in a winner-to-state, loser-out contest.
For updates on how the other Whatcom County teams are doing in the 1B, 1A, and 2A tournaments, be sure to keep checking www.whatcomhoops.com.
The Storm only managed nine points in each of the first two quarters Thursday as Arlington (15-5) went up by 11 at half. Playing even the rest of the way wasn’t enough to beat the second-seeded Eagles.
“We had a slow start, but battled hard,” said Storm coach Dave Dickson. “I was really proud of the guys’ efforts.”
Dedrick Mitchell had a big game with 18 points to lead the Storm. Devante Powell added 13, but no one else had more than five points for Squalicum.
Arlington 54, Squalicum 42
Squalicum 9 9 15 9 — 42
Arlington 16 13 14 11 — 54
Squalicum: Brandon Cash, Leland Zender 2, Spencer Lloyd 2, Wyatt Murphy-Kangas, Noah Martin 5, Dedrick Mitchell 18, Devante Powell 13, Reed Richardson, Lincoln Hofer 2.
Arlington: Martin, Gardoski 6, DeBerry, Whitis 16, Tsoukalas 2, Abram 8, Aribiola 2, Gutierrez 18, M. Smith 2.
CLASS 3A DISTRICT 1 BOYS TOURNAMENT
Play-in games (last Thursday)
Squalicum 66, Lynnwood 52 (loser out)
Shorecrest 61, Meadowdale 46 (loser out)
Quarterfinals (Wednesday/Thursday)
Arlington 54, Squalicum 42
Marysville-Getchell 64, Shorewood 46
Starwood 74, Edmonds-Woodway 61
Marysville-Pilchuck 645, Shorecrest 42
Consolation round (Friday)
Squalicum (9-13) at Shorewood (7-13), 7 p.m. (loser out)
Shorecrest (12-9) at Edmonds-Woodway (12-8), 7 p.m. (loser out)
Semifinals (Friday)
Marysville-Getchell (11-9) at Arlington (15-5), 6:30 p.m. (winner to state)
Stanwood (13-5) at Marysville-Pilchuck (17-3), 6 p.m. (winner to state)
Consolation semifinals (Saturday)
At Everett Community College, 12:30 and 4 p.m. (winners third and fourth, both to state, losers out)
Championship game (Saturday)
At Everett CC, 8 p.m. (winner first, loser second, both to state)
(Full schedule and bracket at nwcathletics.com)
