UPDATE: Tumwater Thunderbirds suffered a disappointing loss against the Woodland Beavers, falling 58-47 in the 2A District 4 Quarterfinal held on February 10, 2023. The Thunderbirds displayed resilience but were ultimately hindered by significant foul trouble and a powerful second quarter from Woodland.
After a closely contested first quarter, where Tumwater trailed by only five points, Woodland surged ahead. The Beavers scored an impressive 25 points in the second, doubling Tumwater’s 19 points and extending their lead to 11 points at halftime.
Tumwater managed to close the gap to just two points midway through the third quarter, showcasing their fighting spirit. However, Woodland responded with a decisive 18-9 run to pull away in the final stretch of the game. Foul trouble plagued the Thunderbirds throughout, with five players ultimately fouling out, severely impacting their chances.
Leading the charge for Tumwater was Maesyn Williams with 13 points, followed closely by Kamryn Wilson, who contributed 11 points, alongside five rebounds and three assists. Other notable performances included Cadynce Lee with eight points, five rebounds, and four steals, and Anden Demaris, who added seven points and an impressive 11 rebounds.
Despite the loss, assistant coach Gabi Larson expressed pride in the team’s effort, stating,
“Our girls fought hard, and we’re proud of their grit. We’re ready for the next one.”
Looking ahead, Tumwater (13-10) faces a critical matchup against Ridgefield on Monday, February 13, 2023, in the first of potentially three elimination games. The outcome of this game will determine their path forward, with the winner set to face the loser of the Black Hills-Mark Morris semifinal.
As the Thunderbirds regroup, fans are hopeful that the team can channel their determination and bounce back in this crucial elimination game. Stay tuned for further updates as Tumwater aims to keep their playoff hopes alive!
