The ninth-seeded Mountlake Terrace Hawks turned around an early deficit to secure a 55-46 victory over the eighth-seeded Ferndale Golden Eagles in the opening round of the 3A District 1 tournament. This win sets the stage for a pivotal quarterfinal matchup against top-seeded Snohomish, marking the beginning of the double-elimination phase where four teams will vie for state qualification.

A Hard-Fought Triumph Propels Hawks Toward State Glory

Second-Half Surge Powers Hawks' Victory

Junior Jordan Wagner emerged as the star of the game, contributing 19 of her total 20 points in the second half. Her clutch performance included four crucial three-pointers that shifted the momentum decisively in favor of the Hawks. The team's resilience was further highlighted by the impressive contributions from their freshmen trio: Jaliyah Dyson with 13 points, Makenna Davidson adding 8, and Emma Schmidt also scoring 8 points. Together, these young players combined for 29 points, demonstrating the depth and versatility of the Mountlake Terrace squad.The first quarter saw Ferndale take an early lead, scoring 12 points compared to Mountlake Terrace's 7. However, the Hawks quickly adjusted their strategy, outscoring the Golden Eagles 18-6 in the second quarter to regain control. By halftime, the momentum had clearly shifted, setting the stage for a dominant second-half performance. Despite Ferndale's spirited comeback attempt in the third quarter, scoring 17 points, the Hawks maintained their composure and closed out the game with a solid final quarter, securing their place in the next round.

Looking Ahead: Quarterfinal Showdown Against Snohomish

With this victory, Mountlake Terrace advances to face the formidable top-seeded Snohomish Bulldogs in the District quarterfinals on Friday, February 14th, at 7 p.m. at Snohomish High School. The stakes are high as this marks the start of the double-elimination portion of the tournament, where only the most resilient teams will earn a spot at the state level. The Hawks will need to build on their recent success and prepare for what promises to be an intense and competitive match.

Ferndale's Strong Effort Falls Short

For Ferndale, despite the loss, the game showcased the talent and determination of their players. Jilly Fox led the Golden Eagles with 16 points, while Kayla Washington added 8 points. Abbey White, Kenzie Dawson, Brooklyn Larrabee, Kayla Lee, and Isabella Vargas each contributed 4 points, reflecting the balanced effort from the entire team. Although they couldn't overcome the Hawks' resurgence, Ferndale can take pride in their competitive display and look forward to future opportunities to showcase their skills.

Beyond Basketball: Wrestlers Secure Last Chance State Berths

Meanwhile, in the world of wrestling, several athletes from the Edmonds School District competed in a one-match, winner-to-state/loser-out event at Stanwood High School. Among the notable outcomes, Mountlake Terrace's Ryan Pineda secured his place in the state tournament with a win by forfeit at the 215 lbs weight class. Other wrestlers, including Cameron Grant from Everett and Nick Blizzard from Stanwood, also earned their spots through decisive victories. These athletes now look ahead to the state championships, ready to represent their schools and districts with distinction.