AUBURN - Mount Rainier's win streak reached nine games after another overpowering victory against a formidable foe on Saturday, Feb. 19, at Auburn High School.

Once again, the incredible defensive pressure led into efficient offensive sets as the No. 7 Rams (21-3) beat Kentwood (18-6), 58-44, in the Class 4A West Central III/Southwest IV Bi-District girls' basketball semifinals.

"We came out and established ourselves again," said a grinning Ram head coach Bob Bolam in wonderment. "I don't know if I thought we'd be playing for the district championship in our first year at 4A, but we are excited about it. We know these are good teams, but to do it again, almost the same way (as we did against Mount Tahoma and Auburn Riverside) has us looking at each other with raised eyebrows. We don't know what it is, but we'll take it."

Much of the "it" has to do with two talented freshman sisters, Brittany and Jordan McPhee.

SPSL North co-MVP Brittany closed out the game with 25 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. McPhee is averaging 27.1 points in three tournament games.

Improvement from her would really raise the bar to a super level.

"She'll get stronger and start hitting more outside shots, and (get) stronger around the hoop where she won't get knocked around as much," Bolam said. "But both McPhee girls have been playing ball for a long time and are well schooled and have talent. We are lucky to have them."

Jordan McPhee earned six points, seven rebounds and three asisists while Zerina Kapetanovic scored 10 points off the bench, draining a pair of three-pointers.

"I just was ready," said Kapetanovic. "I play the part that is mine in the game, whatever that role will be."

Kiana Gandy scored six points to go along with eight rebounds.

After a tight first quarter, from which Mount Rainier emerged with a 13-12 lead, the Rams began to control the offensive boards, triggering the transition game.

With Kapetanovic assisting for field goals from Kiana Gandy and Jordan McPhee as well as torching a three-pointer, the running Rams pulled away to a 23-14 second quarter lead. Brittany McPhee and Kapetanovic combined for six straight MR points later as the Rams threatened to blow away the Conquerors with a 29-15 lead midway through the quarter. Kentwood surges of five points and six points sandwiched around another Kapetanovic trey kept Kentwood in contention. At halftime, the Conquerors still had hopes by being within 32-26.

Brittany McPhee dashed those hopes with a second half opening three-pointer as part of scoring her team's first nine points. Holding a 41-30 margin, the Rams continued to draw away from Kentwood on inside and outside offense, for which the Conquerors had no answer.

On the other hand, Mount Rainier's suffocating defenders refused to grant license to the successful operation of the Kentwood inside and outside offense.

Two outside baskets from senior Caroline Codd stretched the advantage to 45-32 ahead of a Kapetanovic three-pointer that countered a Conqueror basket. By the end of the quarter, Mount Rainier led, 53-38, and gained a 58-38 fourth quarter dominance on Codd's outside goal midway through the final quarter.

Kentwood's final flurry closed the gap to make the score appear to be deceptively closer than the full game action demonstrated.

Caroline Codd seems to extend her talents during the playoffs.

"It's not just the playoffs that fire me up," said the Ram senior who scored eight points. "It's the strong teams like Auburn-Riverside and Kentwood. We know we can beat them. Except for a few flukies at the end (of the losses) we would have done it. We came out ready tonight and started fast."

Kylie Huerta led the Conquerors with 17 points, but was unable to trigger much offensive or defensive dynamite from her teammates.