Auburn Riverside's seniors led the way in repeat girls state title

It started as a prophecy. It became their legacy.

Auburn Riverside's quintessential quintet of seniors got a scintillating send-off late Saturday night as the top-ranked Ravens captured a second consecutive Class 3A state girls basketball championship with a 48-40 victory over Kennedy of Burien at Edmundson Pavilion.

The game ended just before midnight. For the Cinderella Lancers, who owed their only losses of the season to Auburn Riverside, there would be no fairy-tale ending. The Ravens had a different script in mind, one coach Adam Barrett began crafting four years ago.

Barrett, then in his second season, told freshmen Katie Grad, Stephanie Egwuatu, Rachel Givens, Randi Raiford and Gina Hagerty that he could envision them going out as two-time champs. Now they are.

"These five seniors have really meant everything to the program. Everything," Barrett said Sunday from San Jose, Calif., where he was watching the Pac-10 women's tournament. "They're the ones who got it started."

Riverside made its first state appearance that year, qualifying for the Class 4A tournament and upsetting sixth-ranked Meadowdale of Lynnwood in the opening round before bowing out. The Ravens reached the 4A semifinals in 2006, losing to eventual champion Lewis and Clark of Spokane and winding up sixth, the school's first basketball trophy.

The bar was raised last season, when Barrett and company set their eyes on the big prize after a drop to Class 3A. No matter that talented Chief Sealth was overwhelmingly favored to sweep a third straight title after having the first two stripped because of recruiting violations.

Auburn Riverside delivered the upset in the championship game, and the underclassmen dreamed of coming back to do it again.

"We had this goal set since March 11 of last year," Grad said after Saturday's win, which was the 21st in a row for Riverside (25-3).

Grad and Egwuatu, the only two senior starters, played crucial roles as Auburn Riverside rolled to a 31-15 halftime lead. Together, they had 16 points, while sophomore Mercedes Wetmore delivered 10 of her game-high 18. Neither Grad nor Egwuatu scored again, but Egwuatu finished with a team-high 10 rebounds in her best state performance.

Fellow seniors Givens, Raiford and Hagerty all contributed in some way during the tournament.

It was an uncharacteristic second half for the rock-solid Grad, who missed all six of her field-goal tries and a free-throw attempt while collecting six turnovers. But her teammates made sure she went out with a smile after Kennedy closed that 16-point gap to six in the final two minutes. Sophomore Kara Jenkins nailed a pair of free throws with 49.7 seconds left and Wetmore added two more with 25.6 to go.

Grad, who committed to Washington State as a junior, already had been the unanimous choice as tournament MVP. She broke the school's season scoring record in the semifinals and, in Barrett's book, had this one coming.

"I look at it as a beautiful ending," he said. "This is a kid who carried us for 27 games, and the best gift we could give to Katie Grad is we're going to step up and we're going to give you this game. We gave to Katie what she gave us for 27 games."

Nichole Jackson, a junior guard, joined Grad on the all-tournament first team, while Wetmore was a second-team selection. Jackson was recognized after the game for setting the tournament assists record with 29 over four days. She and Wetmore both tied the game record of 11 earlier in the week and are considered one of the state's best backcourts.

The Ravens, who should wreak havoc in 4A next season, left their mark in the 3A state tournament with a bevy of records, including largest margin of victories (127 points). Their lone losses of the season came in the Nike Tournament of Champions in December. In the past two years, Riverside has not lost to an in-state 3A school.

Jackson said there is no secret to the Ravens' success.

"We're just the hardest-working program in the nation," she said.

And one that already has thoughts of a three-peat.

"I don't ever want to be second," Wetmore said.

Barrett believes Auburn Riverside should never have to settle for that.

"I really think this program has kids that are going to be able to compete for championships every year," he said.

3A boys championship

Rainier Beach 53, Lakes 45

Top-ranked Rainier Beach took late control of a taut game and emerged with its third 3A state championship of the decade, fourth in coach Mike Bethea's career and fifth in school history.

Leading 45-43 with 1:13 to play, Beach used an 8-2 run to the finish line to win.

Tournament MVP Michael Ladd led the winners with 17 points.

Two future University of Washington football players starred for Lakes of Lakewood.

Kavario Middleton, a powerful 6-foot-6, 260-pounder who is likely to play tight end, scored 14 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Receiver recruit Jermaine Kearse scored 14 points, hitting all six of his field-goal attempts. He fouled out with 1:46 to play.

There were 10 ties and eight lead changes in the game.

"We knew this was going to be a tough game," said Bethea, who was getting text messages during the game from former Beach players such as Jamal Crawford of the New York Knicks.

Beach finished the season 29-1, with its only loss to 4A Franklin in overtime. Lakes finished 26-2.

The win marks the seventh straight year that a Metro League team has won the 3A title. Metro has won 13 of the past 16 state championships.

Sandy Ringer: 206-718-1512 or sringer@seattletimes.com