Prep girls basketball: Lynnwood dominates Central Kitsap, advances to Hardwood Classic

Lynnwood coach Everett Edwards and his players show their appreciation for the fans' support after beat Central Kitsap in a 3A Regional game Saturday at Everett Community College.
Lynnwood coach Everett Edwards and his players show their appreciation for their fans’ support after beating Central Kitsap in a 3A Regional game Saturday at Everett Community College. (Photos by Scott Williams)

Everett Community College must feel like home for the Lynnwood girls basketball team.

For the second straight year, the Royals played a 3A Regional game there and for the second straight year, Lynnwood crushed its opponent.

Four Royals scored in double figures as Lynnwood routed Central Kitsap 71-39 Saturday to earn a spot in next week’s Hardwood Classic  at the Tacoma Dome.

“It’s a great feeling,” Lynnwood sophomore Kelsey Rogers, who scored 13 of her 15 points in the first half.

Lynnwood's Mikayla Pivec grabs one of her 24 rebounds against Central Kitsap.
Lynnwood’s Mikayla Pivec grabs one of her 24 rebounds against Central Kitsap.

Lynnwood started out slow against Central Kitsap and held a 9-6 lead midway through the first quarter. The Royals’ defense then took over the game as Lynnwood held the Cougars without a basketball until 3:10 mark of the second quarter. By then the Royals had a commanding 33-8 lead.

“Our transition definitely helped,” Rogers said. “We  were able to get out quickly. I think that worked really well.”

Junior Mikayla Pivec scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Royals, who improved to 21-2. Junior Jordyn Edwards helped spark Lynnwood, scoring eight of the Royals’ 16 points in the first quarter. Edwards, who was sick Friday and not feeling well Saturday, connected on two 3-pointers early on and finished with 12 points.

“She came out and hit some big 3s,” Lynnwood coach Everett Edwards said of his daughter. “Once that kind of got going, I think it allowed us to get a little separation because we struggled the first couple of minutes of the game.”

Rogers scored nine points in the second quarter as Lynnwood headed into halftime ahead 41-14. Teammate Reilly Walsh finished with 12 points.

“We got off to kind of a slow start,” Edwards said. “But ultimately I think we settled down after a few minutes in the first quarter and we played good basketball. We had a feeling we could play up-tempo again this team and we could get transition points and that’s kind of what got us our lead in the first quarter.”

Lynnwood also used a high-energy full court press on Central Kitsap (21-5) and the effort seemed to yield results.

Lynnwood's Jordyn Edwards (right) drives to the hoop against Central Kitsap's Mackenzie Page.
Lynnwood’s Jordyn Edwards (right) drives to the hoop against Central Kitsap’s Mackenzie Page.

“It was a situation that they might have got a little tired,” Edwards said. “I think our pressure got to them.”

Central Kitsap went on an 8-3 run to start the third quarter behind three baskets and two free throws by Taylor Krouse, who scored 16 points.

“They came out with great competitiveness and did a great job in the third quarter,” Edwards said. “But I think our separation was a little bit much for them to overcome at that point.”

Pivec scored 14 of her 24 points in the second half and grabbed 24 rebounds.

“That just shows her tenaciousness and her effort on the boards,” said Edwards, who added that Pivec’s stats were “Dennis Rodman type numbers.”

Edwards still found some areas where the Royals need to improve on. At times, Lynnwood struggled defensively and there were missed layups and free throws.

“There’s always stuff to do, to work on,” he said.

Senior Monty Cooper was available for the game but did not play due to being physically banged up. Edwards is hoping to have her back for the state tournament. The Hardwood Classic is March 5-7. The draw for the tournament is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday.

– By David Pan

LHS 02.28 (6)
Kelsey Rogers (right) attempts a shot over Central Kitsap’s Taylor Krouse.

 

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