Arlington defeats Wilson at state (slide show)

TACOMA – The Arlington girls outscored Wilson 21-9 in the third quarter then hung on to win 59-56 at the Tacoma Dome March 6 in the state 3A basketball playoffs.

TACOMA — It didn’t start well for Arlington, but the Eagles rallied in the second half to overcome Wilson 59-56 in the state consolation game March 6.

“We didn’t play well yesterday, I wasn’t happy about it, they weren’t happy about it,” coach Joe Marsh said. “We were jut a different team, and that’s what I am happy about.”

Gracie Castaneda led the Eagles with 18 points.

Wilson opened the first quarter with 9-0 run. But Arlington staved off the run and finished the first quarter only behind 13-12.

“In this kind of game you can very easily fold over,” Marsh said. “We did not do that. We battled back, and when I knew we battled back it was going to go the rest of the way.”

In the second quarter Arlington sustained a short lead but had to survive another Wilson run entering halftime and also losing Emma Janousek to a wrist injury 31-24.

“That’s a big one for us,” Marsh said. “Emma’s our point guard, and she’s the one that I feel comfortable running our offense. But our depth has been one of our strengths all year.”

Arlington turned it around in the third quarter, locking down on defense and securing rebounds.

Arlington broke away with a lead of 45-40 entering the third quarter, scoring 21 points and only allowing nine from Wilson.

“We got some good looks deep, and we got some layups out of it,” Marsh said.

But it got close again in the fourth, with Arlington and Wilson exchanging runs.

Arlington broke away with another lead 56-47, but Wilson was on Arlington’s heels scoring a 3-pointer and goal to be behind only 58-55.

With the score at 59-56, it was a battle of possession with less then a minute left.

Wilson got the ball back and Arlington took a timeout with seven seconds left. Arlington got the ball but only to have it taken away with two seconds left.  But Wilson was unable to score, missing a 3-pointer.