Top stars, best performances in WIAA regional basketball playoff round (Feb. 20-Feb. 26)

Pasco's Taija Mackey goes for 27 points and 19 boards, Central Valley's Dylan Darling drops 48 facing elimination and more standouts from the WIAA regional round
Top stars, best performances in WIAA regional basketball playoff round (Feb. 20-Feb. 26)
Top stars, best performances in WIAA regional basketball playoff round (Feb. 20-Feb. 26) /

The regional round of the WIAA state boys and girls basketball playoffs came and went over the weekend, setting the table for state tournaments across three cities — Tacoma (3A/4A), Yakima (1A/2A) and Spokane (2B/1B) — this week, starting Wednesday and running through Saturday's championships.

Throughout last weekend, there were many outstanding individual high school boys and girls basketball performances across the state. 

Here is a collection of those that stood above the pack, in games that took place between Feb. 20 and Feb. 26. Names are in alphabetical order.

Submit outstanding individual performances for future recognition in the future to andy@scorebooklive.com or @SBLiveWA on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

PAST WEEKS: JAN. 17-23 | JAN. 31-FEB. 5 | JAN. 31-FEB. 6 | FEB. 6-13 | FEB. 14-20

TOP GIRLS STANDOUTS

Mackey was nearly unstoppable — not even by injury — in a regional round win over Emerald Ridge, finishing with 27 points and 19 boards / Photo by Andy Buhler

McKynnlie Dalan, Montesano (1A)

The talented junior wing player for the Bulldogs shook off a nagging knee injury to post a double-double - 21 points and 15 rebounds - in a Class 1A regional-round victory over Zillah, reports the Aberdeen Daily World.

Alyson Deaver, Sumner (4A)

The senior forward won the matchup of the two-time league MVPs with Richland’s Kylee Fox, tallying a game-high 23 points as the Spartans posted a Class 4A regional-round victory over the Bombers.

Demi Dykstra, Lynden Christian (1A)

The junior got the reigning Class 1A champions off and running against Seattle Academy, scoring 16 of her career-high 18 points in the first half in a Class 1A regional-round victory, reports the Lynden Tribune.

Teryn Gardner, Mead (3A)

The sophomore guard exploded for 19 points, all in the first half as the GSL champion rode a big second quarter to a Class 3A regional-round victory over Lincoln of Tacoma, reports the Spokesman-Review.

Elise Hani, Lake Washington (3A)

When the Kings needed a stabilizing force, the 6-foot-4 senior provided it, especially during the team’s big second-half comeback. She had 27 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots in a Class 3A regional-round victory over Snohomish.

Reagan Jamison, Camas (4A)

The sophomore wing player had a game-high 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting with 12 rebounds in a Class 4A regional-round victory over Inglemoor.

Taija Mackey, Pasco (4A)

With teammates in foul trouble, it was the Bulldogs’ senior post player who came up big - a game-high 27 points and 19 rebounds - in a Class 4A regional-round victory over Emerald Ridge.

Alvina Meninick, Toppenish (1A)

The guard led all scorers with 20 points, and the Wildcats eked out a a Class 1A regional-round victory over Tenino, reports the Centralia Chronicle.

Sydney Reisner, Burlington-Edison (2A)

The Tigers’ senior guard scored a game-high 17 points, including the final five points to secure an upset 2A regional-round victory over No. 1 seed Tumwater, reports the Daily Olympian.

Kylee Stephens, La Center (1A)

The senior rallied the Wildcats from way back by scoring 23 of her game-high 29 points in the second half in shocking Annie Wright in a Class 1A regional-round victory in Tacoma, reports the Vancouver Columbian.

Tatum Thompson, Woodinville (4A)

The Boise State-bound senior led the Falcons with 26 point and seven rebounds in a Class 4A regional-round victory over Bellarmine Prep.

Jenna Villa, Arlington (3A)

In a matchup of district champion, the Eagles score early and often, and Villa set the pace with her game-high 27 points in a Class 3A regional-round victory

TOP BOYS STANDOUTS

R.A. Long forward Aaron Ofstun cuts down the net after a district title win over Tumwater on Feb. 18.
R.A. Long forward Aaron Ofstun cuts down the net after a district title win over Tumwater on Feb. 18 / Photo by Andy Buhler

Jeffrey Anyimah, Mountlake Terrace (3A)

Scored 23 points, including a big 3 in the final seconds of regulation, to help Mountlake Terrace beat Kelso 67-65 in overtime of a regional elimination game.

Logan Britt, Seattle Academy (1A)

The standout senior led the Cardinals to a 71-53 elimination regional round win over Eatonville with 34 points, 16 boards and five assists.

Tayshawn Colvin, Liberty of Spangle (2B)

Scored 20 points in a regional win over Adna to earn a first round 2B state bye.

Dylan Darling, Central Valley (4A)

In win-or-go home moments, Central Valley’s standout point guard, the GSL’s new all-time best single-game and league average scorer, had 48 points to beat Woodinville in the regional round and book a trip to the Tacoma Dome for state.

Clay Delp and Luke Navarre, Zillah (1A)

Combined for 50 points in a thrilling overtime loss to Life Christian Academy in the regional round.

Damian Demler, Colfax (2B)

Caught fire n a regional round win over Napavine to help Colfax earn a first round bye with 24 points — all on eight 3-pointers.

Zoom Diallo, Curtis (4A)

Scored 21 points in a regional round win over Davis, handing the Big 9 champs just its second loss of the season.

William Dick IV, Wellpinit (1B)

Scored 20 points in a win over Orcas Island to earn a trip to the 1B state tournament in Spokane.

Giovanny Evanson, King’s Way Christian (1A)

Scored a career-best 35 points in 1A regional elimination win over Lakeside of Nine Mile Falls, helping the Knights book a trip to the 1A state tournament in Yakima.

Tristan Frimodt, Columbia Burbank (2B)

Scored 22 points in a regional loser-out game against Ilwaco to help the Coyotes advance to the 2B state tournament in Spokane.

Joey Hassman, Tahoma (4A)

He backed up and hit some deep 3s in practice last week. Then on Sunday, he hit five 3-pointers to help Tahoma beat Kamiakin on the road to book a trip to the regional round.

Chae Haynes, Life Christian Academy (1A)

Senior big utilized his size advantage, and scored a game-high 32 points in an 82-81 overtime regional win over Zillah on Saturday.

Trystin Marin, Castle Rock (1A)

Netted 23 points in a momentous comeback effort that resulted in a 42-37 win over Cedar Park Christian in a regional elimination game, booking a trip to Yakima for State 1As.

Koby McClure, Prosser (2A)

Hit a late 3 and contributed a team-high 17 points in a regional upset of Mark Morris with elimination on the line. The Mustangs are 2A state tournament bound.

Andrew Molloy, Lakewood (2A)

Finished with a double-double of 12 points and 16 boards in a 61-53 loser-out regional win over Sammamish to book a trip to state.

Bennett O’Connor, Mount Si (4A)

Senior floor general had 19 points, including 3 of 3 shooting from 3, five boards and six assists in a regional round win over Gonzaga Prep.

Aaron Ofstun, R.A. Long (2A)

Scored a game-high 24 points, including a personal 8-0 run in the first quarter, to help the Lumberjacks to a 72-regional round win over White River.

Joshua Perez, Toppenish (1A)

The senior guard’s 21 points were a game-high as the Wildcats took down 4-seeded Freeman in Spokane to earn a first round 1A state bye.

Colton Seymour, Cusick (1B)

Scored 25 points as Cusick beat Lummi in a regional round matchup to earn a trip through to the quarterfinals.

Quincy Scott, Columbia Burbank (2B)

Freshman guard scored 28 points and helped the Coyotes pull away from Ilwaco in a regional elimination game.

Chapel Smith, Mt. Spokane (3A)

Hit four of his five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter of a 69-58 win over 2-seeded Auburn — including a dagger 3 with 17 seconds left.

Zach Swanson, Toutle Lake (2B)

Dropped 30 points in a regional loser-out win over 14-seed Mabton to help his team book a trip to Spokane.

Bradley Swillie, Life Christian Academy (1A)

The Eagles’ point guard fed big man Chae Haynes for an inside bucket to go up three late in regulation, and helped LCA pull off an overtime win over Zillah, finishing with 24 points.

Justice Taylor, Lakewood (2A)

Scored a game-high 23 points to help Lakewood beat Sammamish in a regional elimination game to book a trip to the 2A state tournament.

Joshua Wood, Graham-Kapowsin (4A)

The Fresno State football pledge scored 16 points and uncorked a game-sealing dunk to beat Glacier Peak in a regional elimination game, booking a trip to the 4A state tournament that seemed unlikely in December.


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