Kangs Place 2nd in State Championship!
Kangs 38 - Garfield 39
The #4 seeded Lake Washington High School Kangaroos (21-5) lost to #2 seeded Garfield High School Bulldogs (21-0) for the second time in consecutive WIAA 3A State Basketball Championship Title game on Saturday (there was no championship in 2021 due to the pandemics). Behind Junior Rae Butler Wu's game high 16 points (4 three-pointers), the Kangs battled in an ugly game that was marred by Seniors' Elise Hani and Rosa Smith being tagged with 3 and 4 first half fouls and two Garfield player technicals.
The Kangs jumped out to an early lead behind scoring from Elise Hani, Jolie Sim, Angie Helf and Ava Uusitalo.
The #4 seeded Lake Washington High School Kangaroos (21-5) lost to #2 seeded Garfield High School Bulldogs (21-0) for the second time in consecutive WIAA 3A State Basketball Championship Title game on Saturday (there was no championship in 2021 due to the pandemics). Behind Junior Rae Butler Wu's game high 16 points (4 three-pointers), the Kangs battled in an ugly game that was marred by Seniors' Elise Hani and Rosa Smith being tagged with 3 and 4 first half fouls and two Garfield player technicals.
The Kangs jumped out to an early lead behind scoring from Elise Hani, Jolie Sim, Angie Helf and Ava Uusitalo.
Kangs beat #1 Mead in State Semifinal!
Kangs 41 - Mead 40
The Kangs defeated #1 and previously unbeaten Mead High School (Spokane) in a WIAA Semifinal thriller 41-40 on Friday night. Senior Elise Hani established her presence early by dominating inside, scoring 15 points and seemingly grabbing nearly every rebound. The Kangs first-half, half court defense was stifling and as a team they dominated the glass 22 to 8 to take a 27-11 lead into half time. After the half, Mead no was longer content to just work their half court offense but instead used every missed Kangs shot or turnover as an opportunity to fast break with great success. After Mead got the game to 1 point and we missed a free throw, the Panthers had the ball with 12 seconds to go. Mead worked the ball well and hit a cutting Teryn Gardner for a Elise Hani-contested layup which Teryn missed. Rae Butler Wu secured the rebound with less than a second to go to seal the victory! Elise finished with 19 points for the game.
The Kangs defeated #1 and previously unbeaten Mead High School (Spokane) in a WIAA Semifinal thriller 41-40 on Friday night. Senior Elise Hani established her presence early by dominating inside, scoring 15 points and seemingly grabbing nearly every rebound. The Kangs first-half, half court defense was stifling and as a team they dominated the glass 22 to 8 to take a 27-11 lead into half time. After the half, Mead no was longer content to just work their half court offense but instead used every missed Kangs shot or turnover as an opportunity to fast break with great success. After Mead got the game to 1 point and we missed a free throw, the Panthers had the ball with 12 seconds to go. Mead worked the ball well and hit a cutting Teryn Gardner for a Elise Hani-contested layup which Teryn missed. Rae Butler Wu secured the rebound with less than a second to go to seal the victory! Elise finished with 19 points for the game.
Kangs defeat Hermiston by 33 in State Quarterfinal
Kangs 73 - Hermiston 40
The Kangs beat Hermiston (Oregon) on Thursday in the WIAA State Tournament Quarterfinals behind Ava Uusitalo's 17 points, Elise Hani's 13 points, Rae Butler Wu's 12 points and Rosa Smith's 11 rebounds and 7 assists. This was a great team win with only 2 players who didn't score. We made 46% of our 2-point FGs and 36% from 3.
The Kangs beat Hermiston (Oregon) on Thursday in the WIAA State Tournament Quarterfinals behind Ava Uusitalo's 17 points, Elise Hani's 13 points, Rae Butler Wu's 12 points and Rosa Smith's 11 rebounds and 7 assists. This was a great team win with only 2 players who didn't score. We made 46% of our 2-point FGs and 36% from 3.
Kangs Win Regional over Snohomish
Rosa Smith scores with 3 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 56
Kangs 68 - Snohomish 62
For all of the success the 3 seniors have had the one title that alluded them was Regional Winner. No more. The Kangs beat Snohomish 68 - 62 in overtime to win the WIAA District 2 Regional on Friday, February 25.
Elise Hani dominated inside finishing with a career high 27 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks. Angie Helf's 3 final quarter and overtime 3-point field goals (11 points for the game) gave the team a huge offensive boost, and Rosa Smith continued scoring in every possible way—deep, midrange, drives and free throws—ended up with 16 points and 8 rebounds.
The first quarter was a see-saw battle with Snohomish closing the quarter up 17-15. Unfortunately, the Kangs offense disappeared in the 2nd quarter only netting 4 points and leaving them with a 17 point deficit at halftime.
The second half was a complete reversal to the second quarter. The girls tightened their defense and made the extra pass (19 teams assists with Rae Butler Wu dishing out 8 of them) to bring the lead down to 2 with less than 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Snohomish wasn't going away easily and answered with their own 8-0 run to put them up by 10 with 2 minutes left in regulation. That's when the Kangs had their own 10-0 run and switching defenses holding the Panthers scoreless to tie the game 56-56 and send it into overtime.
In the extra period, led by Elise, Angie, and Rosa, the team continued clicking on offensive scoring 12 points and held Snohomish to 6 sealing the victory. The team finished with 49 points in the second half and now enter the WIAA State Championships on what has to be considered the girls signature win for the year.
See the Photos page for pictures from the game and ScoreBoard Live's great article.
Kangs Statistical Leaders
Elise Hani - 27 points, 12 rebounds, 6 blocks
Rosa Smith - 16 points, 8 rebounds
Angie Helf - 11 points
Rae Butler Wu - 8 assists
For all of the success the 3 seniors have had the one title that alluded them was Regional Winner. No more. The Kangs beat Snohomish 68 - 62 in overtime to win the WIAA District 2 Regional on Friday, February 25.
Elise Hani dominated inside finishing with a career high 27 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks. Angie Helf's 3 final quarter and overtime 3-point field goals (11 points for the game) gave the team a huge offensive boost, and Rosa Smith continued scoring in every possible way—deep, midrange, drives and free throws—ended up with 16 points and 8 rebounds.
The first quarter was a see-saw battle with Snohomish closing the quarter up 17-15. Unfortunately, the Kangs offense disappeared in the 2nd quarter only netting 4 points and leaving them with a 17 point deficit at halftime.
The second half was a complete reversal to the second quarter. The girls tightened their defense and made the extra pass (19 teams assists with Rae Butler Wu dishing out 8 of them) to bring the lead down to 2 with less than 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Snohomish wasn't going away easily and answered with their own 8-0 run to put them up by 10 with 2 minutes left in regulation. That's when the Kangs had their own 10-0 run and switching defenses holding the Panthers scoreless to tie the game 56-56 and send it into overtime.
In the extra period, led by Elise, Angie, and Rosa, the team continued clicking on offensive scoring 12 points and held Snohomish to 6 sealing the victory. The team finished with 49 points in the second half and now enter the WIAA State Championships on what has to be considered the girls signature win for the year.
See the Photos page for pictures from the game and ScoreBoard Live's great article.
Kangs Statistical Leaders
Elise Hani - 27 points, 12 rebounds, 6 blocks
Rosa Smith - 16 points, 8 rebounds
Angie Helf - 11 points
Rae Butler Wu - 8 assists
3rd Place in Sea-King Tournament
Elise Hani's 26 points led all scores
Kangs 69 - West Seattle 41
The Girls Team won 3rd place in the "Sea-King"/ 3A District 2 Girls Basketball Tournament by beating West Seattle 69-41. Senior Elise Hani was unstoppable inside and dropped a career high 26 points. Do everything guard Rosa Smith just missed a triple-double! Not only did Rosa light it up from deep (7 3-point shots and 23 points), she also pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out 9 assists! Seven (7) made three pointers ties the school record. The team played a well rounded game and defensively were really locked in keeping several West Seattle stars in check.
The final results for the Sea-King/3A District 2 tournament are here.
Lakeside 40 - Kangs 36
The Kangs couldn't overcome a poor shooting night (36% from 2, 24% from 3) losing to Lakeside 36-40 in the Semifinal on Thursday, February 17th. Senior Rosa Smith scored 16 points and Junior Rae Butler Wu had 7.
Kangs 57 - Eastside Catholic 41
On Tuesday, the Kangs defeated Eastside Catholic 57-41 in the second round with Rosa Smith scoring 19 points, Elise Hani 12 and Rae Butler 11.
Both the Girls and Boys teams already earned a spot in the Regionals by finishing as one of the top six teams in the Sea-King tournament.
The Girls Team won 3rd place in the "Sea-King"/ 3A District 2 Girls Basketball Tournament by beating West Seattle 69-41. Senior Elise Hani was unstoppable inside and dropped a career high 26 points. Do everything guard Rosa Smith just missed a triple-double! Not only did Rosa light it up from deep (7 3-point shots and 23 points), she also pulled down 10 rebounds and handed out 9 assists! Seven (7) made three pointers ties the school record. The team played a well rounded game and defensively were really locked in keeping several West Seattle stars in check.
The final results for the Sea-King/3A District 2 tournament are here.
Lakeside 40 - Kangs 36
The Kangs couldn't overcome a poor shooting night (36% from 2, 24% from 3) losing to Lakeside 36-40 in the Semifinal on Thursday, February 17th. Senior Rosa Smith scored 16 points and Junior Rae Butler Wu had 7.
Kangs 57 - Eastside Catholic 41
On Tuesday, the Kangs defeated Eastside Catholic 57-41 in the second round with Rosa Smith scoring 19 points, Elise Hani 12 and Rae Butler 11.
Both the Girls and Boys teams already earned a spot in the Regionals by finishing as one of the top six teams in the Sea-King tournament.
1.6 seconds on the 1st Quarter clock...
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...which Rosa Smith used to nail this 28 foot shot!
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Boys and Girls Teams Win KingCo Championships!
Kangs 71 - Hazen 48
The Girls Team won their third straight KingCo Conference Championship on Wednesday beating #2 seeded Hazen. Junior Rae Butler Wu led all scorers with a career high 24 points including shooting 6 of 7 3-point field goals. Senior Rosa Smith dropped in 21 points which is 4.5 above her average. See our Photos page with a special Tournaments section.
Kangs 64 - Juanita 56
The Girls previously defeated the #4 seed Juanita Ravens 64-56 in the second round. Senior Rosa Smith had 28 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, Freshman Paige Citron contributed 9 points and 7 rebounds, and Senior Elise Hani had 16 rebounds, 7 points and 4 blocks. Already having automatically qualified for the 3A District 2 (aka "Sea-King") Girls Basketball Tournament they now enter as the #2 seed and get a bye (see article above).
Boys 58 - Liberty 47
The top-seeded Boys team also won the KingCo Conference Championship by beating #3 Liberty 58-47 ensuring they too secured a top seed and a bye to the WIAA Tournament.
After each of the games KingCo recognized both team's all-star players including Rosa Smith's MVP (aka Player of the Year), Elise Hani and Ben Nyquist's were both being named Defensive Players of the Year and placed on the 1st Team. Aidan Carlson and Zach Premble were named to the second team and Rae Butler Wu and Jolie Sim were honorable mentions. Girl's Head Coach Jeff Wilson and Boy's Head Coach Ryan Staudacher both being named KingCo 3A Coaches of the Year! (see article below)
The Girls Team won their third straight KingCo Conference Championship on Wednesday beating #2 seeded Hazen. Junior Rae Butler Wu led all scorers with a career high 24 points including shooting 6 of 7 3-point field goals. Senior Rosa Smith dropped in 21 points which is 4.5 above her average. See our Photos page with a special Tournaments section.
Kangs 64 - Juanita 56
The Girls previously defeated the #4 seed Juanita Ravens 64-56 in the second round. Senior Rosa Smith had 28 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, Freshman Paige Citron contributed 9 points and 7 rebounds, and Senior Elise Hani had 16 rebounds, 7 points and 4 blocks. Already having automatically qualified for the 3A District 2 (aka "Sea-King") Girls Basketball Tournament they now enter as the #2 seed and get a bye (see article above).
Boys 58 - Liberty 47
The top-seeded Boys team also won the KingCo Conference Championship by beating #3 Liberty 58-47 ensuring they too secured a top seed and a bye to the WIAA Tournament.
After each of the games KingCo recognized both team's all-star players including Rosa Smith's MVP (aka Player of the Year), Elise Hani and Ben Nyquist's were both being named Defensive Players of the Year and placed on the 1st Team. Aidan Carlson and Zach Premble were named to the second team and Rae Butler Wu and Jolie Sim were honorable mentions. Girl's Head Coach Jeff Wilson and Boy's Head Coach Ryan Staudacher both being named KingCo 3A Coaches of the Year! (see article below)
Kangs 3-peat as KingCo 3A Regular Season Champions!
By going undefeated (10-0 ) in the KingCo 3A conference, the Girls team three-peated as regular season champions extending their streak from 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons (due to the shortened pandemic season there wasn't a champion for 2020-21, although we were #1 at 7-1 in pod play). Winning the regular season title a 3rd time consecutively is great accomplishment, and earned us the #1 seed during the KingCo Conference Championship (which we also won).
Congratulations to the Boys team who at 11-1 are also KingCo 3A Regular Season Champions!
This is the first time ever that both of Lake Washington's Girls and Boys basketball teams are simultaneously KingCo regular season and Tournament champions!
Congratulations to the Boys team who at 11-1 are also KingCo 3A Regular Season Champions!
This is the first time ever that both of Lake Washington's Girls and Boys basketball teams are simultaneously KingCo regular season and Tournament champions!
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Rosa Smith is KingCo MVP, Elise Hani is Defensive PotY and Jeff Wilson is Coach of the Year
Rosa Smith
Senior guard Rosa Smith was named KingCo 3A Conference MVP (Most Valuable Player) and first-team all-conference. This is the second time she was named to the first team repeating the honor from 2019-20.
In her final KingCo regular season conference game versus Juanita, Rosa tallied 18 points putting her over 1000 points for her Lake Washington career. The do everything guard, who has a scholarship at the University of Idaho next year, also set the all-time career Assists record with 298 earlier this year and is now second all-time in scoring. She's closing in on several other all-time records including 2-point FGM (2nd), 3-point FGM (2nd), FTM (4th), FTA (3rd), steals (3rd), rebounds (9th), and blocks (10th).*
Elise Hani
Senior Elise Hani was named KingCo 3A Conference first-team and Defensive Player of the Year, an honor she won during the last (full) season as well! Her defense is so dominate it's reflected in her setting two all-time LWHS records for both Blocked Shots and Rebounds. The 6' 4" center, who has a scholarship to play volleyball at the University of Washington next year, has over 260 Blocked Shots and and over 700 Rebounds. Her other career marks, include being 3rd all-time in 2-point FGM, 2nd in 2-point Field Goals %, 6th in total number of points scored, 4th in FTA, and 6th in FTM.*
Rae Butler Wu and Jolie Sim
Juniors' Rae Butler Wu and Jolie Sim were all-conference honorable mentions and after our game with Juanita the team celebrated when Coach Wilson announced the awards (see Photos).
Coach Jeff Wilson
Head Coach Jeff Wilson was picked by his 3A KingCo peers as Coach of the Year for the second straight time add to his Coach of the Year honors for all of Washington state 3A in 2019-20.
Congratulations girls and Coach on being recognized for your outstanding success!
*Unfortunately, the 2020-21 Pandemic season was only 8 games which undoubtedly dramatically impacted the ability for the girls potentially breaking the records last year.
For details on all LWHS GBB records, please view our History page. Our Photos page captured the celebration and awards presentation.
Senior guard Rosa Smith was named KingCo 3A Conference MVP (Most Valuable Player) and first-team all-conference. This is the second time she was named to the first team repeating the honor from 2019-20.
In her final KingCo regular season conference game versus Juanita, Rosa tallied 18 points putting her over 1000 points for her Lake Washington career. The do everything guard, who has a scholarship at the University of Idaho next year, also set the all-time career Assists record with 298 earlier this year and is now second all-time in scoring. She's closing in on several other all-time records including 2-point FGM (2nd), 3-point FGM (2nd), FTM (4th), FTA (3rd), steals (3rd), rebounds (9th), and blocks (10th).*
Elise Hani
Senior Elise Hani was named KingCo 3A Conference first-team and Defensive Player of the Year, an honor she won during the last (full) season as well! Her defense is so dominate it's reflected in her setting two all-time LWHS records for both Blocked Shots and Rebounds. The 6' 4" center, who has a scholarship to play volleyball at the University of Washington next year, has over 260 Blocked Shots and and over 700 Rebounds. Her other career marks, include being 3rd all-time in 2-point FGM, 2nd in 2-point Field Goals %, 6th in total number of points scored, 4th in FTA, and 6th in FTM.*
Rae Butler Wu and Jolie Sim
Juniors' Rae Butler Wu and Jolie Sim were all-conference honorable mentions and after our game with Juanita the team celebrated when Coach Wilson announced the awards (see Photos).
Coach Jeff Wilson
Head Coach Jeff Wilson was picked by his 3A KingCo peers as Coach of the Year for the second straight time add to his Coach of the Year honors for all of Washington state 3A in 2019-20.
Congratulations girls and Coach on being recognized for your outstanding success!
*Unfortunately, the 2020-21 Pandemic season was only 8 games which undoubtedly dramatically impacted the ability for the girls potentially breaking the records last year.
For details on all LWHS GBB records, please view our History page. Our Photos page captured the celebration and awards presentation.
Emma, Elise and Rosa's Senior Night
Kanga, Rosa, Emma and Elise
We celebrated our three seniors--Emma Boctor, Elise Hani and Rosa Smith—before our February 4th game against Juanita (see Photos). They've been on the Varsity team all 4 years and won every KingCo 3A regular season championship possible* including 3-in-a-row KingCo 3A Conference Tournament Championships and 2nd place in the Washington state 3A championship the last full season (2019-20)! Their combined 3A KingCo conference record through February 9 is an outstanding 40-4 (reference). Their outstanding contributions to the team has set a standard for how all other 4-year Varsity players will be measured. Congratulations and thank you, girls! We're looking forward to hearing about the next chapters in your lives.
*During 2020-21, the season was limited to 8 games played within the Lake Washington School District so neither championship was possible.
*During 2020-21, the season was limited to 8 games played within the Lake Washington School District so neither championship was possible.
Junior Varsity Finishes the Conference Undefeated!
The Junior Varsity wrapped up their season on an 11 game win streak with their only losses to 4A Issaquah and a tough road game at Arlington. They were unbeaten in conference play at a perfect 9-0. Congratulations girls on an excellent year!
| 2021-22 LWHS GBB Program.pdf (11 MB) |
Lake Washington High School ● 12033 NE 80th St., Kirkland, WA 98033 ● Contact us @ [email protected]