Runnin’ through Class 3A girls basketball regionals: Flip a coin between Seattle or Spokane

Garfield as been ranked No. 1 all season with point guards Malia Samuels and Katie Fiso, but Mead's defensive prowess is second to none.

With the 16-team field set for regional round of the WIAA Class 3A girls basketball tournament, here is SBLive WA’s weekend overview of the matchups, players to watch – and game score predictions:

FINAL SBLIVE WA GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

CLASS 3A GIRLS REGIONALS

TOP BILLING

Both Garfield and Mead are undefeated, but all of No. 1 Panthers' wins in tough GSL and crossover district were by double-digit margins.

BEST BET TO SCORE 30

Kelso's Natalie Fraley is the classification's best scorer, and with the ball in her hands at all times, she's guaranteed to get many opportunities.

RIDE THIS DARKHORSE

The fact Metro/Sea-King District runner-up Lakeside of Seattle is 9-seed is a head scratcher. Physical, controlled-tempo team built for playoffs.

PROTECTED-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES

Point guard Olivia Moore has guided Mead to an undefeated run through the 4A/3A Greater Spokane League / Photo by Todd Milles

No. 1 Mead (22-0) vs. No. 8 Lincoln of Tacoma (18-2)
8 p.m. Saturday, Central Valley High School

Skinny: For Abes to have a chance, their young. guard-led squad must handle tough moments against Mead's physical, wear-you-out style of defense.

Pick: Mead, 75-65.

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No. 2 Garfield (17-0) vs. No. 7 Stanwood (12-4)
4 p.m. Saturday, Bellevue College

Skinny: This will be a different level of trapping pressure than Spartans are used to, but they do have mismatch in 6-foot-4 post Vivienne Berrett.

Pick: Garfield, 70-47.

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No. 3 Arlington (18-2) vs. No. 6 Kelso (17-4)
8 p.m. Friday, Everett Community College

Skinny: Only match-up where two district champions (Arlington in Wesco; Kelso in WCD/SW) go at it. Eagles should emerge in high-scoring game.

Pick: Arlington, 73-60.

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No. 4 Lake Washington (18-4) vs. No. 5 Snohomish (15-3)
8 p.m. Friday, Bellevue College

Skinny: Panthers likely will throw a variety of looks defensively to disrupt all-state point guard Rosa Smith. Might work in spots, but not enough.

Pick: Lake Washington, 55-50.

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WINNER-TO-STATE-GAME PREVIEW CAPSULES

Metro League runner-up Lakeside of Seattle has given Garfield its two closest games this winter / Photo by Mason Kelley

No. 9 Lakeside of Seattle (17-5) vs. No. 16 Eastside Catholic (16-8)
4 p.m. Saturday, Lake Washington High School

Skinny: As good as Lions are with Claire O'Connor on wing, and Hannah Dickinson inside - this is anything-can-happen Metro grudge match.

Pick: Lakeside of Seattle, 46-43.

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No. 10 Auburn (14-6) vs. No. 15 West Seattle (14-7)
8 p.m. Friday, Puyallup High School

Skinny: Trojans have guard-play edge, but West Seattle has better depth. Big spot for Auburn perimeter shooter Chloe Furnstahl against this 3-2 zone.  

Pick: Auburn, 43-38.

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No. 11 Everett (12-7) vs. No. 14 Hermiston (15-10)
2 p.m. Saturday, Everett Community College

Skinny: Two up-and-coming groups with better days ahead. One thing Everett doesn't do well - shooting - Izzy Simmons and her crew does.

Pick: Hermiston, 58-56.

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No. 12 Bonney Lake (16-5) vs. No. 13 Gig Harbor (16-5)
2 p.m. Saturday, Auburn High School

Skinny: Two Pierce County programs meet in do-or-die encounter. Panthers' 6-foot duo of Jazmyn Shipp and Brooke Mansfield difficult to handle here.

Pick: Bonney Lake, 64-57.

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