KingCo 4A Girls Roundup | Cooper's clutch plays help Inglemoor topple Ballard

KENMORE — Bianca Cooper is sneaky clutch.

For the second consecutive game, the 5-foot-10 senior guard has stepped up offensively to help Inglemoor pull out a victory in the waning moments.

Cooper sank a midrange jumper with 1:24 to play, then grabbed a crucial defensive rebound in the Vikings' 47-44 win over Ballard Friday night in a meeting of KingCo 4A girls basketball division leaders. It was the first loss for fourth-ranked Ballard.

"She is our wild card," Inglemoor coach John Augustavo said of Cooper. "Some teams underestimate her because other players are scoring for us, but she is just a kid that can take over a game. She is a solid player, but sneaky."

Cooper, who made the winning free throw last Saturday in a one-point win over Archbishop Murphy for the Hornet Holiday Classic championship, led the Vikings (9-1 overall, 5-0 Lake Division) with 16 points.

Cooper's shot snapped a fourth-period scoreless drought of 3:17 and gave the Vikings a 45-41 lead after Ballard (10-1, 5-1 Lake) had rallied to trail by a basket.

"I've just been playing hard, and it just seems to be happening," she said. "I would like to develop into that type of player to help this team win."

Ballard, which had 26 turnovers, did not go away. Senior Kayla Williams rattled in a long three-pointer to cut Inglemoor's lead to 45-44 with eight seconds left, but the Vikings' Chrissy Baumgartner sank a pair of free throws to ice the game.

"We were able to withstand [Ballard's] run, just enough," said Augustavo.

Williams led all scorers with 18 points to go with five steals and two assists. Alexandria Lawrence added 12 points for the Beavers, who have already matched their total wins last season after an impressive championship last week at the Surf 'N Slam Tournament in San Diego.

"[Ballard] was ranked No. 4, and we knew we were better," Cooper said. "They came in here thinking they had it won."

Other games

At Lake Washington 50, Bothell 33

Erika Wilson had 11 of Lake Washington's 30 steals as the Kangs, in their first game since Jennie Rondel was named interim coach, won their eighth straight. Amanda Juarez had 14 points and nine rebounds for LW (9-2, 3-2 Lake Division), coming off a tournament championship last week at the Cactus Jam in Phoenix. Mandy Saintz's 17 points led Bothell (1-10, 0-6 Mountain).

At Franklin 62, Juanita 42

Six-foot junior Kayla Williams helped Franklin build a 36-13 halftime lead with 15 of her 17 points before the break. She also grabbed 10 rebounds, and teammate Jocelyn Jones had 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Quakers (5-5, 2-3 Lake). Brianna Rinehart-Young scored 13 for the Rebels (7-4, 2-4 Mountain), who were hurt by 25 turnovers.

At Eastlake 47, Woodinville 30

Alyssa Charlston, a 6-foot sophomore guard, had 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds as Eastlake (9-2, 4-1 Lake) won its sixth straight. Hannah Ostic added a dozen points, four assists and four steals for the Wolves, who capitalized on 18 turnovers by Woodinville (7-5, 1-5 Mountain).

At Roosevelt 78, Garfield 38

Junior Frannie Hemmelgarn had 15 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and seven steals without playing the fourth quarter in a runaway win by the No. 7 Roughriders (9-2, 5-1 Mountain). DeAundreney Dillard-Brown led Garfield (1-8, 0-5 Lake) with 12 points and six rebounds.

At Redmond 66, Australian NITCP 55

In a nonleague game, 5-10 junior Courtney Martin had 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Mustangs (9-2) won their seventh in a row. Mary Petrie added 14 points, seven assists and four steals for Redmond.

Times staff reporter Tom Wyrwich contributed to this report.