Falcons clipped by Emerald Ridge at 4A Girls’ State Basketball tournament

In the opening round of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) 4A Girls’ State Basketball tournament on Feb. 25, the Woodinville Falcons lost 67-58 to Emerald Ridge High School.

“It was a tough game on Saturday night,” Woodinville assistant coach Ryan Wilkerson said. “Emerald Ridge is a talented and hard-working team. It was a back-and-forth game, but they got us in the end.”

Woodinville took an early lead in the game with a 20-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. Emerald Ridge bounced back in the second quarter, closing the gap and taking a one-point lead into the half.

In the third quarter, both teams matched each other’s 15 points, sending the game into the fourth quarter with a 44-43 Emerald Ridge lead. In the fourth, Emerald Ridge jumped out in front, outscoring Woodinville 23 to 15 in the final period to escape with the 67-58 win.

The loss dropped the Falcons’ record to 24-2.

Junior center Jaecy Eggers led the Lady Falcons with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Senior captain Brooke Beresford added 15 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Freshman Jazlyn Wilkerson scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds.

The loss, Woodinville’s second of the season, sent the Lady Falcons to a loser-out game against Richland High School on March 1 at the Tacoma Dome. The game tips off at 9 p.m.

If Woodinville wins, they will face Camas High School on March 2 in the quarterfinals. All remaining games will be played at the Tacoma Dome.