By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

The defending state champions got in the way of West Seattle on its path to a second-straight final eight state tournament appearance.

Lynnwood dealt the Wildcats a 59-34 state regional loss at Everett Community College on Saturday, ending their season with a 22-4 overall record.

Lynnwood's Royals now carry a 24-0 record into the quarterfinals, which open Thursday at the Tacoma Dome and run through Saturday.

West Seattle finished sixth in the state Class 3A ranks last season and at one point boasted a 21-0 record this year.

The Wildcats were listed as high as No. 3 in the Seattle Times' state rankings.

Lexi Ione -- a 5-foot, 9-inch senior guard forward -- led West Seattle in scoring against Lynnwood with 10 points.

Unversity of Oregon-bound 6-7 senior center Lydia Giomi was held to only 1-for-8 shooting from the field by the Royals. Giomi hauled down nine rebounds and added three blocked shots, however.

Giomi led the Wildcats with a 15.7 scoring average going into the game while Ione averaged 12.2 points per game.

Also playing for the team this year were 5-10 freshman shooting guard/point guard Grace Sarver (9.6), 5-8 junior point guard/shooting guard Izzy Turk (8.3), 5-7 freshman point guard/shooting guard Jasmine Gayles (8.2), 5-7 freshman shooting guard/point guard Kelsey Lenzie (5.7), 5-8 senior point guard/shooting guard Gabby Sarver (5.6), 5-7 freshman shooting guard/point guard Jenna McPhee (4.6), 5-7 sophomore shooting guard/point guard Rilcy Newsome (0.9), 5-10 senior center/forward Sarah Dulong (0.4), 5-2 sophomore guard Rosa Grossi (0.0), 5-7 sophomore guard Kathryn Anawalt (0.0) and 5-11 junior center/forward Lenne Starr (0.0).

West Seattle was coached by Darnell Taylor, who was assisted by Abby West, Karyn Golgart and Tommy Wilzen.