YAKIMA – You could see the defensive intensity in the eyes of senior guard Rilanna Newcomb while fiercely guarding an opposing player.
The clamps were locked down by Lynden as the Lions defeated Deer Park 58-33 in the quarterfinal round of the 2A state tournament for their 73rd straight victory.
After a close first quarter, which Lynden took 12-11, the Lions held the Stags to just two points in the second quarter. Meanwhile, on the other side of the court, senior forward Rian Stephan hit a pair of three-pointers to extend Lynden’s lead.
Stephan averages just over four points per game this season, but had 10 points in the first half alone as the Lions led 24-13 at the midway break. She finished with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting, as well as seven rebounds.
Deer Park opened up the second half with a three-pointer, but it was quickly answered by a steal and score from junior guard Finley Parcher, as well as a three-pointer by junior guard Lexi Hermanutz. A three-pointer in the corner from Parcher then doubled up the Stags 32-16.
Another corner three, this time by senior guard Degitu Bowler, took place, and was soon followed up by Hermanutz throwing a baseball pass half the length of the court to Parcher for a layup, and the rout was on.
Lynden continued its dominant defense into the fourth quarter, and continued to hit open shots from deep.
Newcomb’s unrelenting defense, coupled with Bowler and Izzie Stephan, held Deer Park’s leading scorer to just two points through the first three quarters of play.
Parcher had a game-high 14 points to go with seven rebounds and three assists.
Senior forward Payton Mills pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds, and Hermanutz dished out seven assists.
The Lions (25-0) will go for the 74th straight win tomorrow at 3:45 against Clarkston (22-3).
Lynden 58, Deer Park 33 DP 11 2 9 11 - 33 LYN 12 12 20 14 - 58
Deer Park: N/A. Lynden: Bowler 8, Hermanutz 5, Nyhoff 0, Newcomb 0, Slayton 0, R. Stephan 12, I. Stephan 8, Somma 0, Basart 0, Parcher 14, Mills 6, Dykstra 5.
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