A Tri-District reunion

By SCOTT SPRUILL
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

The top-ranked team didn't survive opening day and two unbeatens didn't make it through Thursday's quarterfinals. So who do we have left for Friday's semifinals in the Class 1A state boys basketball tournament?

Just the hottest teams in the SunDome in what amounts to a reunion of the Tri-District playoffs. And some kids who are no strangers to each other.

Meridian and King's, just two weeks removed from a memorable district clash, will meet in the first semifinal at 6 p.m. and Cascade Christian and defending champion Vashon will square off for the fourth time this season in the nightcap at 8.

"We don't have any secrets with Meridian," said King's coach Bill Liley, whose crew of five senior starters outlasted second-ranked Granger 68-61 in Thursday's first quarterfinal. "Shane (Stacy) could coach my team and I could coach his and there might not be much difference. It'll be a battle."

If King's and Meridian are familiar with each other, then Cascade Christian and Vashon are relatives.

After losing to the '09 champs in December, the Cougars from Puyallup beat Vashon 60-45 in January and 64-53 last month. Coach Jerry Williams credits the swing in the series to defense, the kind his team used Thursday to hold previously unbeaten Onalaska to 27 points.

"Getting prepared will be easy for both of us since we know each other so well," Williams said. "We have our own styles and we'll stick with them I'm sure. We've been fortunate the last couple times and our defense put us in that position."

Cascade Christian and Vashon share the flashy records in the foursome at 22-3, but neither of them won the loaded Tri-District title. That went to red-hot Meridian, which ended the Cougars' 18-game win streak in the title game, 56-49.

The Trojans may have a suspicious looking record at 18-7, but five of those losses were against 2A schools in the Northwest's combo league. That includes a 68-66 setback to reigning 2A state champ Squalicum.

"When we go into the postseason we never talk about records. They're meaningless," Stacy said after his Trojans beat Freeman 56-48. "Three years ago we got here with an 11-15 record. It's a tough league every night and our kids know it's all a buildup for the playoffs."