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Cleveland Eagles

Location: Seattle

Record: 24-2

Coach: Stephenie Wheeler-Smith

Key players: Makala Roper, 5-8, Jr., 15.7 ppg; Myzhanique Ladd, 5-8, Jr., 10.7 ppg; Alexia Mefi, 5-10, Jr., 9 rpg.

Inside look: After taking third last season with a similar lineup, athletic Eagles hope to win second title in four years (they won in 2010). Riding 23-game win streak.

Wilson Rams

Location: Tacoma

Record: 21-2

Coach: Michelle Birge

Key players: Bethany Montgomery, 5-9, Sr., 16.9 ppg; Tia Briggs, 6-1 Sr., 12.9 ppg; Kaysha Fox, 5-7, Sr., 3.6 spg.

Inside look: Montgomery and Briggs are a dynamic duo. First time in Final Eight since 1993. Wilson is 10-0 since loss to Cleveland.

Contenders

Bellevue Wolverines

Location: Bellevue

Record: 24-2

Coach: Leah Krautter

Key players: Shelby Cansler, 6-0, Fr., 16 ppg; Mandy Steward, 5-9, So., 14.6 ppg; Tatiana Streun, 6-0, Fr., 9.5 ppg.

Inside look: Young Wolverines play aggressive defense and can be explosive on offense. Only loss in last 18 games was by two to Seattle Prep.

Seattle Prep Panthers

Location: Seattle

Record: 21-5

Coach: Michelle Hall

Key players: Mary Ann Santucci, 5-9, Jr., 11.0 ppg; Michaela Carew, 6-2, Sr., 10.3 ppg; Quinn Glosniak, 6-0, Sr., 10 rpg.

Inside look: Balanced, battle-tested Prep has all the tools to make a title run.

Kamiakin Braves

Location: Kennewick

Record: 18-5

Coach: Lane Schumacher

Key players: Courtney Nelson, 5-10, Sr., 17.3 ppg; Sira Toure, 5-7, Jr., 14.7 ppg; Lindsey Schauble, 5-11, So., 10.4 ppg.

Inside look: Braves are eager to erase memories of last year, when they came in unbeaten and lost two straight. Only 3A losses were to Hanford.

Glacier Peak Grizzlies

Location: Snohomish

Record: 18-6

Coach: Brian Hill

Key players: Allie Weathersby, 5-9, Sr., 8.8 ppg; Nikki Fausey, 6-4, Jr., 8 rpg; Sadie Mensing, 5-9, So., 6.2 ppg.

Inside look: Defense keyed run by a young team. Offense is balanced. Size and depth are pluses.

Mercer Island Islanders

Location: Mercer Island

Record: 21-7

Coach: Kaela Yuen

Key players: Kris Brackmann, 5-11, Sr., 13.2 ppg; Renae Tessem, 6-1, Jr., 7.1 ppg; Jessica Blakeslee, 5-9, Fr., 6.2 ppg.

Inside look: After winning just five games last season, Islanders might be surprise team of the tournament. They play hard-nosed defense. Lost four times to Bellevue.

University Titans

Location: Spokane

Record: 14-10

Coach: Mark Stinson

Key players: Kayleigh Valley, 5-11, Sr., 18 ppg; Brooke Bailey, 5-8, Fr., 8.5 ppg; McKenzie Peterson, 5-7, Jr., 5 ppg.

Inside look: Versatile Valley (Montana commit) gives Titans a chance in any game, although they got a tough draw against Cleveland.

Sandy Ringer