Sports
Viks Look To Continue Hot Hand Heading Into The Playoffs
The Vikings face Puyallup on the road this Friday for the chance for an automatic trip to the Tacoma Dome.
What: First Round State Playoff Game
Where: Puyallup High School
When: 8 p.m., Friday
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Situation: The WIAA switched things up this year with the state basketball playoff format, switchingfrom the old 16-team, four-day Tacoma Dome event to one that features four different regional rounds followed by a round of eight the following weekend at the T-Dome.
Each regional site will feature four teams, two of which will advance to the round of eight. Every regional will have one automatic advance game and one loser-out game on Friday. The winner of the loser-out game will then play the loser of the automatic advance game on Saturday for the final spotin the round of eight from the regional. For example, Curtis and Puyallup play in an automatic advance game. The winner will secure a spot in the round of eight, while the loser will play the winner of the GigHarbor/Ballard “loser-out” game on Saturday for the other spot in the round of eight out of the region.
Teams
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Curtis (20-5) – The Vikings enter the state tournament as perhaps the hottest team in 4A, having won ten straight to close the season. Curtis, which was ranked second in the state to start the season, looks to have found the form many expected it to have back in December. The Vikings are led WSU-bound DaVonte Lacy, who is averaging 20 points per game on the year, including 26 ppg over his last six.
Puyallup (20-6) – A third of the (other) Vikings total losses this season have come against Curtis, including a 68-66 heartbreaker last week in the district tournament. Puyallup has lost two straight following a seven-game win streak. The Vikings feature four players who average in double-digit points, led by Jay Balmerat over 19 ppg.
The winner of this game advances to the round of eight at the Tacoma Dome. The loser will play thewinner of Gig Harbor/Ballard for the final spot in the round of eight out of the region.
Another Storyline: Curtis Tim Kelly was none too pleased that, as a result of the new system, his team will have to play on the road, despite its win last week.