Jayson Jenks provides news and commentary on high-school sports. Sandy Ringer is also a frequent contributor.
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February 24, 2013 at 10:27 PM
Breaking down the brackets: Quick thoughts from the Class 4A and 3A state tournament matchups
Posted by Jayson Jenks
I didn’t know what to expect from my first state tournament draw at the WIAA offices, but it was a pretty cool experience. The big conference room with two huge tables was filled with players, coaches, athletic directors and parents, all eager to learn their opponent.
The best moment? When Garfield coach Ed Haskins heard his team would play Bothell on the first day, he jokingly blurted out, “Redraw!” We have a few days to look ahead for previews and matchups, but here are some initial reactions to the draws for Class 4A, 3A and 2A.
Class 4A
You can find the Class 4A bracket here.
Best game: Garfield vs. Bothell, 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.
First, I’ve received a lot of interest into how these teams are able to play in the quarterfinals. The WIAA’s only criteria for teams not playing each other in the quarterfinals is this: Teams that played at the same regional site can’t play each other in the quarterfinals. So Rainier Beach and Lakeside had to be on the opposite side of the 3A bracket. Other than that, it’s a random draw for matchups. It’s literally done out of a bowl or hat (I couldn’t tell).
“We’ve got to play the best to be the best,” Garfield coach Ed Haskins said. “We’ve got to party again. We’ve got to do what we have to do. It’s a tough matchup.”
Garfield and Bothell have played twice already. Garfield has won both. In the first game, which Garfield won by 15, the two teams traded leads until the final four minutes, when Garfield pulled away behind big shots from leading-scorer Tucker Haymond. In the second game, Garfield pulled
