1B Girls State: Lummi Wins In OT To Move Into Quarterfinals, 56-48

The Lummi Nation girls basketball team needed an extra period but it got the job done, defeating Almira-Coulee-Hartline late Wednesday night, 56-48, in the opening round of the Class 1B state tournmament in the Spokane Arena.

The victory in the loser-out contest not only raised the Lady Blackhawks’ record to 22-4 but, more importantly, put them in the quarterfinals and the double-elimination portion of the tournament. It was their first victory in Spokane since 2009 and leaves them one win away from earning their first trophy taking fourth 17 years ago.

“It feels great to finally get a win in Spokane,” said Lummi Nation coach David James, whose team will take on second-ranked Garfield-Palouse on Thursday at 9 p.m. “It’s been a long time coming.”

For coverage of all of our Whatcom teams’ state games, click on State Games.

It actually took even longer than the regulation 32 minutes as the eighth-seeded Blackhawks and the ninth-seeded Warriors (19-6) traded big leads in the back-and-forth game.

Lummi Nation went up first, leading 16-8 after one quarter. But the Warriors held Lummi to one point in the second quarter and eventually went up by eight early in the third quarter. Then it was the Blackhawks’ turn to claw back in front by two going into the final — well, make that fourth — period.

It came down to another tie with 11 seconds to go in regulation and ACH going for a final shot, but senior Bri Metteba came up with a huge steal to send the game into overtime, and overtime was Lummi time.

Eighth-grader Jordy Reeder, who had been quiet until the fourth period when she scored seven of Lummi Nation’s nine points, had seven more points in overtime as the Blackhawks outscored the Warriors, 11-3.

In addition to Reeder’s herorics, sophomore Celestine James made both of her pressure-packed free throws, and junior Jemma James and senior Ailina Rabang made one each to finish the scoring.

“It was a back-and-forth game with nine lead changes and eight ties,” said coach James. “Our girls stepped up and dug deep in the fourth quarter and especially overtime. Everyone played their part in the win.”

Keeping the Blackhawks in the game for the first three quarters was point guard James, who would finish with 20 points and five of the team’s 11 3-pointers, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. She also hit both free throws with 29 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game.

Reeder had 17 points in her first trip to Spokane, a pair of 3-pointers including a big one in OT, and was five of six from the line as Lummi Nation hit a clutch 11 of 14 free throws.

Rabang had 12 points with three 3s as well as a team-high 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Blackhawks’ defense forced 25 turnovers with Rabang, James, and Metteba nabbing 5 steals each. Metteba would also be awarded the team’s sportsmanship medallion for the game.

Lummi Nation 56, Almira-Coulee-Hartline 48

Almira-Coulee-Hartline 8 12 14 11 3—48

Lummi Nation 16 1 19 9 11—56

Almira-Coulee-Hartline: Evers, Molitor 26, Okamoto 2, Bayless 8, Roberts 6, Isaak 4, E. Brummett 2, H. Brummett.

Lummi Nation: J. James 20, Rabang 12, B. Metteba 3, Reeder 17, Dennis 2, Lajuan, C. James 2, M. Metteba, Morris.

CLASS 1B GIRLS STATE TOURNAMENT

At Numerica Veterans Arena (Spokane Arena)

Wednesday, March 4

Crosspoint Christian 53, Liberty Christian 44 (loser out)

Pateros 59, Pe Ell 45 (loser out)

Yakama Tribal 50, Pomeroy 39 (loser out)

Lummi Nation 56, Almira-Coulee-Hartline 48 (loser out)