By WESLEY REMMER

Staff writer

SPOKANE — Megan Morris and Megan Spence began their fourth — and final — quest for a state tournament medal on a high note, leading the Lady Warriors past Tacoma Baptist, 48-30, in first-round action at the 2B WIAA State Girls Basketball Championships on Wednesday.

“There was a lot of pressure to get that first win,” Hanley said of the victory. “It was all about leadership.”

Prior to Wednesday’s win, the Lady Warriors had posted a dismal 1-8 record in state play since its last victory, a 61-51 win against Wellpinit in 2003.

But Hanley said his team was ready to play against TB, breaking the trend of struggling at the state tournament.

“It was a really good performance from start to finish,” he said, adding that TB — which out-rebounded KW 46-43 — played a physical game, forcing KW to make halftime adjustments.

“It was a battle, but we picked up our defense in the second half,” Hanley said.

Spence led all scorers with 23, while Morris added 10, and Irene Moore shut down TB sharp-shooter Erica Tuell, holding the efficient Tuell to only one point.

“Irene got in her grill and held her (Tuell) to that one point,” Hanley said.

KW (19-5) took its 14-game win streak into Thursday’s match-up against perennial state juggernaut La Salle (Yakima), which breezed past Northwest Christian, 78-42, in its opening round game.

La Salle rolled to a big 57-25 win against the Warriors to send King’s West into the consolation bracket. At the half, La Salle built a 38-11 lead on the Warriors. Results of consolation action were unavailable at press time.

Radio broadcasts and Webcasts of the remaining state games are available online at www.wiaa.com.