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TROPHY TIME – The La Conner High School girls’ basketball team posed with the Northwest 2B district tournament championship trophy they earned in Coupeville last Thursday. Sharing the spotlight are; front, left to right: Rachel Cram, Aubrie Sloniker and Juna Swanson, and back, left to right: Ellie Marble, Josie Harper, Sarah Cook, Kennedy Miller, Teagan Swanson, Maeve McCormick and Ellalee Wortham. Scott Novak is head coach – Photo courtesy of Lauren Reynolds
The La Conner High School girls’ basketball team took care of business in Coupeville last Thursday.
As expected, the team (20-1) breezed to the Northwest 2B District title with a dominant 70-19 victory over the hosts, who had placed a distant second to the Lady Braves in the league championship race.
La Conner advances to regionals this weekend, a round that will help determine bracket placement for the state Hardwood Classic March 2-5 in Spokane.
The team, which has defeated foes from the 1B-4A ranks this season, is considered a co-favorite with Warden for the State 2B crown.
But head coach Scott Novak, who guided his team to a runner-up finish at the 2020 state tourney, is taking his usual cautious approach.
“We need to play our best right now,” Novak insisted to the Weekly News on Friday. “We’ve got to stay healthy, but I feel that since we’re a veteran team, that could be a real difference- maker.”
La Conner led 31-0 early in the second quarter before Coupeville got on the board.
“The 28-0 first quarter set the tone,” said Novak. “Our pressure defense was too much for Coupeville, and many of the turnovers we forced turned into transition baskets.”
Pacific University signee Juna Swanson paced the victors with 18 points, including four treys before halftime, when La Conner’s margin ballooned to 42-8.
Sarah Cook filled the stat sheet with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Ellie Marble also reached double-figures with 13 points to go along with a team-best nine rebounds.
Ellalee Wortham (8), Josie Harper (7), Maeve McCormick (6), and Rachel Cram (4) rounded out the attack.
Cram, a Carroll College recruit, led La Conner with eight assists while Harper collected six steals.
The winners excelled in all phases that evening, shooting 45% from the floor and making 42% of three-point attempts.
“The girls did an excellent job of moving the ball and creating shots for each other, leading to 11 made three-pointers,” Novak explained.
With their slot at Spokane secured, the Lady Braves look to build further momentum.
“It was a nice team win for us,” Novak said, “going into our regional game next week.”
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