Seattle Christian girls head basketball coach Bob Kickner has witnessed plenty of grind it out games since losing two starters in December.

Last Tuesday, it took another patient effort, but the sixth-ranked Warriors finally pounded out a 37-26 Class 1A Tri-District quarterfinal home win against Northwest Conference and District 1 representative Nooksack Valley. With the win, Seattle Christian (18-4) moved into a Thursday semifinal game against Northwest Conference District 1 Lynden Christian at Mountlake Terrace High School.

"This was a real grind it out game," Kickner said. "We're not afraid to be in a close game. It was critical to get this game because it gets us into the sweet 16. I'm pleased that we were able to extend the season. On the other hand, we didn't shoot well (36 per cent). We'll just continue to adjust accordingly."

Clinging to a 22-21 lead with just more than one minute remaining in the third quarter, Katie Collier dished a pass to Alayna Gleason for a lay up. Immediately after blocking a shot, the the 6-foot, 2-inch Collier dribbled the remaining three-fourths of the court for a score. Catie Shelton followed with a breakaway lay in to complete a 6-0 SCS scoring surge as the hardworking Warriors broke away to a 28-21 margin going into the fourth quarter.

The upstart Pioneers moved their wagons forward and closed within 28-24 and still had hope at 30-25. At this point, Seattle Christian senior Maddie Harris roamed far beyond the three-point arc at the top of the key and drained the "home run" basket that beckoned the end of Nooksack Valley's journey at Tri-District.

"The run at the end of the third quarter was a real boost," noted Shelton. "It came down to passes and we found the open lay ups."

Shelton finished her game with eight points.

With the Warrior man-to-man defense clogging the interior passing and driving lanes, the Pioneers were forced to circle and cast off outside shots, resulting in one-shot possessions. Seattle Christian strongly rebounded and ran the floor for lay ups to steadily expand the margin.

Both teams started out operating in the twilight zone of low percentage shooting.

Nearly six minutes of the first quarter elapsed before Jessica Johnson nailed an outside shot for SCS and the Warriors trailed only 3-2. Johnson and Katie Collier later notched baskets back-to-back for a 6-5 Warrior lead after one quarter.

Playing inspired defense, Seattle Christian also attacked the boards aggressively to run off six straight points. Collier fought off the shackles of defenders collaring her while reserve Johnson kept up her fine work.

"I was on the bench ready to play," said Johnson. "I wanted to make my first shot. When I did that, I got into the flow."

Johnson scored all of her six points in the first half.

Nooksack Valley reversed the flow with its quick passing and driving offense to cut the diffrence to 14-13 before Hannah Sasaki cut to the basket for a lay up and a 16-13 Seattle Christian advantage after one quarter. Warrior reserves contributed regularly to the effort.

Curbing their enthusiasm to exhibit more patience was an arduous task for the Warriors. Nooksack Valley refused to disappear, erasing a 20-17 deficit, to trail only 22-21 before SCS charged away for good.

"This was hard on us," admitted Collier, who toiled for 16 points, seven rebounds and six blocked shots. "We worked on doing what was necessary on every shot."

Six-footer Melissa Stadt paced the scrappy Pioneers with nine points. Nooksack Valley was held to a seson low for points. The Pioneers were just 9-for-58 from the field.

Seattle Christian had a 25-16 margin on rebounds.