MI Girls Hoops Fans Sponsor Free Bus to Marysville for Playoff vs Glacier Peak

What: First Round State Playoff Game

Where: Marysville-Pilchuck High School

When: Friday, Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.

Situation: Fans have set up a free fan bus for 42 passengers for the winner-take-all regional playoff vs. Glacier Peak at Marysville Pilchuck High School. The bus loads at 5:15 p.m. and leaves 5:30 p.m. The bus will pick up fans on the street side by the flag pole at the high school.

The playoff is part of the WIAA's new format for the state basketball playoff system, switching from 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 spot in the round of eight from the regional. For example, Lynnwood and Auburn Mountainview play in the loser-out game of the Marysville-Pilchuck region on Friday, while Mercer Island and Glacier Peak play in the automatic advance game. The winner of the Lynnwood/Auburn Mountainview game will advance to play Saturday, while the loser will be eliminated. The winner of the Mercer Island/Glacier Peak game automatically advances to the round of eight at the Tacoma Dome, while the loser plays the winner of the Lynnwood/Auburn Mountainview game on Saturday for the final spot in the round of eight out of the region.

Teams:

Mercer Island (17-11) – It’s all about highs and lows when it comes the 2010-2011 Lady Islanders after finishing 6th in the 3A state tournament last year. Mercer Island closed the regular season on a six-game winning streak, won its first playoff game, then got dominated twice in a row in the KingCo 3A playoffs. But when Sea-King district playoffs began, the Islanders rattled offbefore falling to in the final. Jae Shin leads the three-point loving Mercer Island squad.

Glacier Peak (14-9) – Glacier Peak finished the season surprisingly strong, winning its last four games, including all three of its WesCo playoff games. Glacier Peak is led in scoring by Becca Smith.