By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
The O’Dea Fighting Irish (19-8) entered this year’s state tournament seeded fifth. Since losing in the 3A District 2 championship game, they started their title aspirations on the road against the reigning 3A State champions in Auburn. O’Dea managed to win 63-59 on Auburn’s home floor, which helped them secure a first-round bye in the state tournament.
Mountlake Terrace’s journey was a little different due to the fact that they lost to Eastside Catholic in the opening round, which put them in a loser-out game against North Thurston. The Hawks won the game against North Thurston, 58-53, to earn the right to face O’Dea in a state 3A quarterfinal matchup.
Defense set the tone for O’Dea from the very beginning of the game, as the Fighting Irish forced three straight turnovers and jumped out to a 10-2 lead thanks to Mason Williams, Noel Davis, and Miles Clark. Williams started the game making a jump shot, two free throws, and finding Clark for a wide-open layup. Davis had fans rising to their feet as he completed a four-point play.
O’Dea jumped out to a 15-8 lead going into the second quarter and continued to build off their momentum, as Davis began leading the charge, finding open teammates, and playing terrific on-ball defense, making it difficult for the Mountlake Terrace point guards to run their offense.
The Fighting Irish defense, as a collective, continued to be aggressive as Williams drew an offensive foul, Quincy Linton contributed five quick points and a block, and Amare Jackson off the bench added 5 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.
However, Hawks’ forward Zaveon Jones helped weather the storm by going coast-to-coast for layups, finishing over the outstretched arms of Fighting Irish defenders, and making free throws. Even with the solid individual play from Jones, it still wasn’t enough, as O’Dea built a 35-21 halftime lead.
Heading into the third quarter, it looked as if the Fighting Irish would run away with the game, but Mountlake Terrace had other plans. The Hawks’ defense held O’Dea to just six third-quarter points as they erupted offensively, starting with their guards Chris Meegan and Jaxon Dubiel.
Both Meegan and Dubiel started the quarter finishing in the paint to get things started, and Jones continued his low post dominance to put points on the board, adding to his 24-point and 11-rebound outing.
Holding the Fighting Irish to under 10 points during the third quarter benefitted Mountlake Terrace as they were able to keep close throughout the fourth quarter. Dubiel’s three-pointer cut the O’Dea lead to 47-45 with 2 minutes and 20 seconds remaining.
Watching their lead go from 15 to two, O’Dea’s Williams willed his team to victory by making two free throws, hitting a difficult jump shot, and drawing an offensive foul against Mountlake Terrace. Those three plays helped solidify a 54-52 victory for O’Dea as time expired.
Williams led O’Dea with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. The Fighting Irish will face the winner between Mt. Spokane and Bellevue in the semifinal round this Friday at 7:15 p.m.
Pictorial Highlights of O’Dea vs Mountlake Terrace 2023 WIAA 3A Playoff Game
Staff Photos/Aaron Allen
Box Score
