For the first time in 31 years, a Raymond High School girls basketball team hoisted a trophy at the state tournament.
The Seagulls placed sixth in the state after falling to No. 1 seed La Conner 67-52 in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 2B State Tournament fourth/sixth-place game Saturday morning at the Spokane Arena, giving the Seagulls their first state trophy since 1991.
Raymond (20-4 overall) and La Conner (23-2) both shot an even 50% from the field in a close first half that saw the Seagulls trail by just a bucket at 33-31 at halftime after leading by as much as eight with just under six minutes left in the second quarter.
Both teams also shot well in the second half, with Raymond hitting 8-of-19 shots (42.1%) and the Braves converting 13-of-28 field goals (46.4%).
The difference in the game turned out to be La Conner’s uncanny ability to hit from long range. The Braves made a staggering 61% of its 3-point shots, drilling 11-of-18 from downtown led by Ellie Marble (5-for-7).
“We definitely met a buzz-saw group of shooters from La Conner,” Raymond head coach Jason Koski said. “Their 3-point shooting was amazing. It didn’t help that we were late on closeouts, giving them wide open catch-and-shoot threes.”
In the final game of a memorable season, the Seagulls were led in scoring by the two players most responsible for getting them to the state tournament in Raymond legend Kyra Gardner and her heir apparent Karsyn Freeman.
ERIC TRENT | THE CHRONICLE Raymond senior guard Kyra Gardner (21) puts up a jump shot while being defended by La Conner’s Rachel Cram (25) during a 67-52 loss in the 2B State Tournament fourth/sixth-place game on Saturday at the Spokane Arena. Gardner finished her prep hoops career with a school-record 1,906 points.
Gardner, who became the school’s all-time leading scorer over the weekend, finished her decorated prep basketball career with 20 points on 8-of-18 shooting (44%), six rebounds and four steals.
The senior guard who will play for Washington State next winter finished her prep career with 1,906 points.
Freeman had her best game of the tournament with 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting (57%). The freshman-phenom led the Seagulls with four assists.
La Conner was led by Sarah Cook (21 points), Marble (19 pts.) and Rachel Cram (17 pts.) and outrebounded Raymond 35-27, including 19 offensive rebounds that led to 20 second-chance points.
After the game, Koski reflected on what the trip to state meant for his team.
“Our effort and intensity were great all tournament long and the state experience is something our kids will remember for a lifetime,” he said. “I appreciate all the time and effort from the players and their families as we navigated the 3 1/2 month journey.”
ERIC TRENT | THE CHRONICLE Raymond sophomore Paige Williams (34) puts up a shot against La Conner’s Ellie Marble during the Seagulls’ 67-52 loss in the WIAA 2B State Tournament fourth/sixth-place game on Saturday at the Spokane Arena.
La Conner 12 21 16 18 — 67
Raymond 13 18 13 8 — 52
La Conner (67) — Cook 21, Marble 19, Cram 17, Wortham 4, Harper 3, Swanson 3
Raymond (52) — Gardner 20, Freeman 19, Koski 6, Williams 3, Busenius 2, Silvernail 2
