Reardan girls win district – on to state

SPOKANE VALLEY – Freshman Chasyn Waters scored 18 points to lead No. 1 seed Reardan to a 46-38 win over No. 2 seed Northwest Christian in the championship game of the District 6 NE2B Girls Basketball Tournament at West Valley High School Saturday, Feb. 22. The Screaming Eagles entered the game with a 15-1 record in conference play. Their sole loss came at the hands of NWC who defeated them 62-41 on Jan. 24.

Neither Reardan nor NWC was afraid to put the ball in the air in the first eight minutes of the game. Both teams connected on two three-point shots and four field goals. From the get-go, Reardan’s Chasyn Waters played a feisty game. She scored three quick buckets and swiped several Crusaders’ passes to lead her team to a 14-14 first quarter tie.

The second quarter was a defensive struggle. The Screaming Eagles scored eight points and limited NWC to only four. Rylynn Green hit two baskets as Reardan took a 22-18 lead.

The third quarter showed how evenly matched the teams were. The Crusaders outscored the Screaming Eagles 10-6 to tie the game at 28 apiece.

Within the first minute of the fourth quarter, Chasyn Waters hit back-to-back threes to put Reardan up 34-28.

After NWC tied the game 37-37, Tenice Waters found Mackenzie Bjornberg under the basket to put the Screaming Eagles back on top with just over a minute to play. Seconds later, Chasyn Waters stole the ball and scored on a lay-in and a foul shot to put Reardan ahead 42-37. As the clock ticked down, NWC could not close the gap as the Screaming Eagles outscored them 18-10 in the final frame. Reardan secured the district championship with its 46-38 win.

Chasyn Waters ended the game with 18 points, eight rebounds and five steals. Lillie Whitman and Green both scored seven points. Tenice Waters scored six points and was a monster on the boards with her 16 rebounds. Bjornberg scored six points and grabbed five rebounds. Emersen Sprecher scored two points and recorded seven rebounds and one steal.

Mackenzie Prince and Julianna Pope each scored 10 points for NWC.

“In the first half we came out slower than usual,” Chasyn Waters said. “We picked things up in the second half. I tend to reach a lot on defense and got in foul trouble, so had to play more cautious than normal.”

She thought her two baskets in the fourth quarter helped spark her team.

“I just wanted to shoot the ball. I think it helped us get our momentum going. I am so happy we won and am super excited to go to state, especially for coach Swannack. He’s done so much to get us to this point.”

Reardan head coach Swannack was pleased with his team’s effort.

“We did enough to win,” he said. “Defensively I thought we were better than them and I think our conditioning showed. Defense wins championships and I think we did enough defensively to win. Their big girl killed us the last time we played but tonight we held her in check.”

With the win, Reardan’s overall record improved to 21-2. They move on to the WIAA State Tournament where they will play Napavine Saturday, March 1, at Cheney High School. Tip-off is at noon.