Woodinville’s do-everything Beresford leads Falcons in district tournament

When the 2023 District 1/2 4A Girls Basketball tournament got underway Feb. 8, 10 high school teams remained in the hunt. Of the 10, only four advanced to the WIAA state tournament.

Two tournament wins later, the Woodinville Lady Falcons are one win away from advancing. Woodinville will face Eastlake High School Feb. 17 at Everett Community College. The championship game tips off at 6:30 p.m. Both teams advance to the state tournament.

Woodinville 56 | Bothell 46 | Feb. 14

Despite only scoring 56 points, the Falcons played tough defense in the 10-point win over rival Bothell. It was the Falcons’ second lowest point total of the year.

Woodinville was led by Jaecy Eggers, who dropped 15 points against the Cougars. The junior center led the team with nine rebounds. Lyla Kahrimanovic added 14, along with three assists and three steals.

Senior captain Brooke Beresford led the team with four steals. She added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Woodinville was 12-of-26 from the field and 6-of-19 from three.

Woodinville 70 | Kamiak 32 | Feb. 10

The Falcons jumped out early against Kamiak in the first quarter and didn’t look back from there. Woodinville took a 28-19 halftime lead into the locker room. In the second half, the Falcons’ defense took control, holding Kamiak to just 13 second half points.

On offense, the Falcons scored. A lot. Including 28 fourth quarter points.

Woodinville was paced by a trio of star players, who all had a double double in the game. Beresford tallied 13 points and 11 rebounds. Eggers had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Kahrimanovic scored 12 and pulled down 13 rebounds.

Sophomore Hailey Quiggle added 14 points, including 4-of-9 from three.

The defending state champion team is currently ranked No. 1 in the State of Washington with a 23-1 record. After finishing undefeated during the KingCo. regular season and winning a KingCo. playoff championship, the Falcons are poised to repeat at the state tournament.

The team has a talented and deep roster including defensive stopper Adie Segadelli, physical reserve Macartney Noe, and sharp-shooters Quiggle, Jazlyn Wilkerson and Anna Harris.

Beresford is the glue that holds it all together. She averages 14.7 points per game and does so much more than score. She regularly draws the toughest defensive assignment and leads the team in steals and assists.

After playing as a wing most of her career, Beresford shifted to guard this season, often bringing the ball up court against pressure. She still manages to average 10.1 rebounds per game.

"Brooke is such a versatile player and does so much for us. She has an amazing mix of strength, quickness and athleticism,” head coach Scott Bullock said. “She'll play point guard then go defend in the post. She can score the ball and hit the glass with the best of them.”

Beresford is a four-year starter and is winding down a remarkable high school career. She has compiled an astounding 81-3 record. In her four years at Woodinville, she won every regular season KingCo. game and each conference tournament game. Tough as nails, Beresford has never missed a start, playing in 84 consecutive games.

“Brooke is one of my favorite players that I’ve ever coached. We graduated some great players from last year's team, and Brooke has really stepped up to lead this team and keep us playing at a high level,” Bullock said. “She brings it every day in practice. She's as steady as they come, always playing with a lot of poise. She's all that a coach can ask for.”