By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
After escaping with a 53-46 victory against Lakeside, the Garfield Lady Bulldogs advanced to the semifinal round of the state 3A girls’ tournament to face the Mead Panthers, who entered the tournament as the fourth seed.
The Panthers, who won games against Lincoln, 80-68, and Stanwood, 62-54, came into the game looking to upset the top-seeded Lady Bulldogs and earn a spot in the championship game.
Garfield looked to push the pace early as Imbie Jones used her length to her advantage, dominating the rebounds, which led to back-to-back layups by Sarah Lessig. Katie Fiso facilitated the Lady Bulldogs’ offense, finding Rakiyah Jackson for a layup before making her way to the basket herself.
Despite a slow start, Mead wouldn’t back down as Teryn Gardner and Natalie Braun kept them close throughout the quarter. Gardner would score at will and was able to get to the basket for layups or stop before the defense closed out for a floater. Braun’s ability to move without the ball freed her up for easy points.
A back-and-forth opening quarter ended with the two teams tied at 20. Both teams hit a wall in the second quarter, combining for a total of 16 points and going into halftime tied at 28.
Fiso, who scored only 6 points in the first half, came alive in the second half, especially in the third quarter. Whether she was finishing layups, making free-throw line jump shots, three-pointers, or finding teammates such as Jones for layups, Fiso helped Garfield take over the game, pouring in 20 second-half points.
Jones added 8 of her 15 in the half as well, with her ability to finish around the rim and making a wide-open three-pointer as the Bulldogs went on a 12-2 run.
Fiso and Jones’s impressive play became contagious as the Lady Bulldogs, as a collective, forced 11 second-half turnovers, including six steals which they converted into quick transition points.
In the third quarter, Garfield held Mead to just six points, and with momentum favoring their style of play, the Lady Bulldogs continued to thrive as they took a 44-34 lead heading into the final quarter.
With a return to the championship game in sight, the Lady Bulldogs expanded their lead to 52-37 just minutes into the fourth quarter.
Fiso finished the game with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals as Garfield defeated the Mead Panthers 63-54. With the win, the Lady Bulldogs advance to the championship game, where they’ll play the winner between Arlington and Lake Washington for a chance to win their third straight girls’ 3A title.
Pictorial Highlights of Garfield vs Mead (Girls)
Staff Photos/Aaron Allen
Box Score
