Falcons use defense to stifle Mercer Island

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BATTLE GROUND – Leading Mercer Island by just three points at halftime of their state regional round playoff game Saturday at Battle Ground High School, Prairie coach Brett Johnson and his players knew exactly what they needed to do in the second half to win the game and earn a trip to the state tournament.

The Falcons needed to defend like only they can defend. And, they did just that.

Prairie held Mercer Island without a made field goal for the first 13 minutes of the second half and the Falcons cruised to a 57-41 victory that propelled them back to the Class 3A girls state basketball tournament at the Tacoma Dome.

“We knew our defense was what was going to win the game, so that’s how we came out after halftime,’’ said Prairie senior guard Cherita Daugherty.

In the second quarter alone, Mercer Island’s 6-foot-2 center Anna Luce scored nine points as the Islanders outscored Prairie 14-9 in the period to close a 20-12 first quarter deficit and make the score 29-26 at halftime.

“In the locker room at halftime, Brett talked to us about defense,’’ Daugherty said. “The big girl (Luce) dominated in the second quarter. He wanted us to focus on not even letting her touch the ball in the middle. We tried to clog up the middle so she didn’t the chance to get the ball and we tried to pressure the guards so they couldn’t get it to her.’’

The strategy worked to perfection. Mercer Island missed all 12 of its shots from the field in the third quarter and finished with just three points, all from free throws.

“Our whole plan was to wear them out in the first half with our diamond press and then in the second half see how our man-to-man worked out,’’ Johnson said. “We’ve been working on our man-to-man for the last month and we really came through. They were really talking, switching, moving and having each other’s back.’’

Johnson also praised Prairie senior Natalie Whitesel for her work against Luce, who was four inches taller than the Falcons’ post.



“People underestimate Natalie because of how small she is but she does hold her own against those bigger girls,’’ Johnson said. “That girl was 6-2 and Natalie battled her the whole game.’’

Offensively, Daugherty led the way with 15 points and six assists. She also had 10 rebounds. In the third quarter, she had back-to-back assists to Jozie Tangeman and Macey Hsu, each on 3-pointers, and then Daugherty scored six points of her own in the period to held Prairie outscore Mercer Island 14-3 in the quarter.

“They were playing man-to-man defense and when they do that we run a play called ‘open,’’’ Johnson said. “Cherita had the green light to take it to the hole and there’s nobody who can match up with her athletically.’’

Junior Grace Prom scored all of her 11 points in the first half.

“Grace came out in the first half and lit it up and that got us going,’’ Johnson said.

Hsu finished with eight points and Mallory Williams and Whitesel each contributed seven points.