MOUNTLAKE TERRACE -- It was a game in which Seattle Christian showed great effort, but Jasmine Hommes was just super.

Carrying the team on her shoulders, Hommes had a game-high 32 points and 12 rebounds to lead the state No. 2 Lynden Christian girls' basketball team to a 49-40 win against No. 5 Seattle Christian in the Class 1A Tri-District tournament on Thursday, Feb. 17, at Mountlake Terrace High School.

"She was like a superstar," said SCS coach Bob Kickner. "She was draino, making shots from everywhere, inside, outside, mid-range. Hats off to her. It was No. 2 versus No. 5, and it showed that. We'll keep improving as we play."

Seattle Christian shot well to begin the game, storming to 16-7 lead after one quarter and lengthening it to double digits in the second quarter. In the ebb and flow of a playoff game, Lynden Christian of the Northwest League changed its defense and put on full court pressure to gain a 23-22 lead by halftime.

The Warrior front line got into foul trouble with Katie Collier and Alayna Gleason being saddled with four fouls each, forcing SCS into a zone to protect the foul plagued players. Lynden Christian capitalized on the strategy to gun home outside shots, resulting in a 37-30 Lyncs lead with one quarter to play.

Forced to abandon the zone, SCS carved away at a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter on the strength of aggressive defense. Gradually chipping away, the Warriors staged a 6-0 run to trim the lead to 43-40 with 1:46 remaining and the ball in their possession. Seattle Christian called time out to set up a play, but had problems setting up a good shot. After SCS missed its shot, Alisha Friberg of Lynden Christian eventually stole the ball away from the Warriors following several battles for the ball and drove to a lay up while being fouled at the one minute mark. Friberg converted the charity toss for a six point Lyncs lead that was padded by deal-sealing free throws.

"I was pleased with our effort," concluded Kickner. "It was an improvement over our lackluster game against Nooksack Valley. Kelly Jansen scored her season-high for us. If she can keep doing this, it adds to our weapons."

For Seattle Christian, Collier was held to 12 points, but collared 11 caroms. Maddie Harris popped in 10 points, including a three-pointer, while Jansen scored eight.

On the next night, the Warriors won the No. 3 seed to the state regionals with a 52-45 decision against King's.

"The girls played a solid game," Kickner reported. "We have a lot of respect for the program King's has. It was a level, steady effort. Harris was big for us, attacking from the press break. Collier continued to be a work horse and Jansen stepped up for the second game in a row."

SCS built leads of up to nine points while also using its reserve strength regularly, but King's stayed in contention on the strength of lefty Joclyn Kirton, who scored a game-high 19 points. The Warriors narrowly led after each quarter. The quarter scores in order of play were 14-13, 12-10, 12-10 and 14-12.

Seattle Christian (19-5) was set to play Evergreen League Elma of Grays Harbor, the No. 3 Southwest District seed, in a loser-out state regional match up Friday, Feb. 25 at Centralia High School. If victorious, the Warriors played in the WF West (Chehalis) gym for a spot in the Tacoma Dome finals of the 2011 Hardwood Classic.

In the King's game, junior Collier neared a milestone by scoring her 995th career point. Against Elma (14-6), she will have the chance to join Melissa Collier and Lexi Petersen as the only career 1,000 point scorers in the history of Seattle Christian girls basketball.

The tournament player roster includes Katie Collier, Jillian Corliss, Alayna Gleason, Maddie Harris, Kelly Jansen, Jessica Johnson, Aly Kaler, Makalah Mumm, Molli Ronish, Hannah Sasaki, Catie Shelton and Carmen Terhune. Lexi Petersen and Carissa Doyle were players who were injured during the regular season.

Head coach Bob Kickner is assisted by Coutney Polich, Chris Glynn and Bill Clark. The athletic director is Greg Wrolstad.