Scott Merzoian Quotations

If we didn't get that early lead, it could have been a different ball game.

I can't imagine being where we are if we didn't have Talon and Jared. They've been a huge part of our success.

Jared passes well, sees the floor and is a good defender.

Last season, I was hopeful this group of players could make it to state and maybe win a game. And now we're going to get a trophy. I'm proud of what they've accomplished.

Our goal wasn't revenge. Our goal was to get better.

We came out focused. Like they say, it's hard to beat the same team three times in a row, because Winlock played us tough the first two times (both Toledo wins). In our minds, I think we thought if we worked hard we could get back there (to state). But I don't think anybody expected us to go 22-2.

We came out the second half in a 2-3 zone and lost some of our intensity.

We're not trying to look ahead. Our goal is to win the league title, and this win puts us in a good position. We need to continue to improve.

We're very happy to be going back (to Yakima). Hopefully we can finish strong and play on Saturday (March 4) in the trophy round.

They (the Tigers) came out and tried to slow down the game. We struggled to get the ball in the hole early, but we picked up the pressure and Chad got us going in the third quarter.

They don't worry about what the situation is or who they're playing against.

It's tough to beat the same opponent three times. We never did get our offense in sync in the second half, but Jason King did a great job of moving the basketball. He penetrated when we needed him to, and backed it out when we needed him to do that. He's like a coach on the floor.

It was mainly those three, with a lot of help from others. To hold a player like that to 11 points, it takes a team effort. Our defensive pressure all night was phenomenal.

It was a great game. It didn't matter for the league standings, but it's a nice rivalry we have with those guys -- capacity crowd, intense environment.

It was a battle all the way to the end. We finally clamped down defensively.

(In Charles Wright's game Thursday), their top three guys scored 49 points, and today we held them to 23.