Road to Tacoma: WIAA Class 4A Hardwood Classic state girls basketball preview

Top-ranked Woodinville, the 2020 state runner-up, is the team to beat this week, but it will have to navigate a loaded field, including Sumner, Pasco and Eastlake, to win its first state championship

The 2021-22 WIAA basketball season is down to its final week, and the 12 remaining Class 4A girls basketball programs are due to arrive soon in Tacoma.

Here is SBLive WA's tournament preview - with players to watch, team favorites, schedules and championship game predictions:

COVERAGE REWIND

Mya Groce and the Pasco Bulldogs defeated Emerald Ridge in a regional-round game in Richland

* Sumner nets first 4A state-playoff victory in victory over Richland

* Mackey driving force in Pasco's regional-round triumph over Emerald Ridge

* Big second half sends Woodinville past Bellarmine Prep in regionals

* Sunnyside's last-second regional-round fortunes book trip to Tacoma

* Class 4A girls basketball regional-round preview

* Woodinville rolls to KingCo/Wesco bi-district title over Lake Stevens

* Sumner girls serve notice after WCD semifinal win over touted Camas

* Final Class 4A girls basketball rankings, Feb. 21

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE

Rogers of Puyallup beat Issaquah in the regional round, and will face Lake Stevens on Wednesday in Tacoma / Photo by Todd Milles

No. 14 Moses Lake (14-9) vs. No. 6 Emerald Ridge (16-6), 9 a.m.
Winner plays No. 5 Eastlake (22-3) on Thursday

No. 15 Sunnyside (13-11) vs. No. 7 Richland (17-7), 10:30 a.m.
Winner plays No. 1 Woodinville (23-1) on Thursday

No. 13 Rogers of Puyallup (20-6) vs. No. 4 Lake Stevens (19-4), 12:15 p.m.
Winner plays No. 3 Pasco (22-1) on Thursday

No. 9 Camas (16-8) vs. No. 8 Bellarmine Prep (17-7), 2 p.m.
Winner plays No. 2 Sumner (22-2) on Thursday

State semifinals Friday: 3:45 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

State championship Saturday: 5 p.m.

FAVORITE

Veronica Sheffey is the floor general for the top-ranked Woodinville Falcons, the reigning state runners-up / File photo by Todd Milles

Some might say No. 1 Woodinville is a team of destiny, especially after losing in the state title game in 2018 and 2020. Falcons ride innate chemistry between seniors Veronica Sheffey and Tatum Thompson, and unsung two-way contributions from junior Brooke Beresford. Riding a 23-game winning streak.

FIELD

Many feel No. 2 seed Sumner, led by forward Alyson Deaver, is as big a state championship threat as anybody / Photo by Todd Milles

The interior-terror Deaver sisters (Alyson, Catelyn) might be the single-biggest matchup advantage any team has in the tournament - and pressure-oriented Sumner will utilize it to the fullest. ... Don't overlook Mid-Columbia Conference champion Pasco, a senior-led group that has one of the best point guards in the tournament in Mya Groce. Bulldogs are good enough. ... It was only three years ago that Eastlake came to the Tacoma Dome and won it all. Forward Ava Schmidt ferociously defends, rebounds and scores for the Wolves. ... Lineup-wise, Emerald Ridge, Lake Stevens and Camas all have talented pieces and depth. Can they put it all together for consecutive days?

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Boise State University signee Tatum Thompson is one of the best playmakers in the 4A championships / Photo by Todd Milles

F Alyson Deaver, Sumner, sr.

G Kylee Fox, Richland, jr.

PG Mya Groce, Pasco, sr.

PG Veronica Sheffey, Woodinville, sr.

F Tatum Thompson, Woodinville, sr.

FINAL FOUR TEAMS

Emerald Ridge, Woodinville, Pasco, Sumner

CHAMPIONSHIP PICK

Woodinville 65, Sumner 60

TICKET INFO

Four-day tournament pass is $50 for adults, $38 for students and senior citizens. Three-day tournament pass is $38/$30. Non-championship (Wed.-Fri.) single-day tickets are $15/$12. Championship (Sat.) single-day tickets are $16/$13.

(Featured file photo by Vince Miller)