High School basketball teams from Thurston County competed in WIAA State Championship in regional state games and the Hardwood Classic games in Tacoma, Yakima and Spokane during the last week of February and the first week of March. The Tumwater High School boys team had the top finish for Thurston County, taking home a fourth-place trophy. Here is a recap of local teams.
2A Boys – Tumwater High School
Tumwater (24-4) defeated Grandview 50-49 at the Yakima Sun Dome on March 7, 2026. The T-Birds entered the tournament as the fifth seed and lost the regional seeding game and then fell to West Valley before winning three times to take the fourth-place trophy. In the final game, which decided fourth or sixth place, Tumwater trailed by 10 points with 1:50 remaining but blitzed ahead with strong play to take the victory. Luke Overbay blocked a Grandview attempt at the horn to seal the victory.
Head coach Josh Wilson was thrilled with the back-to-back comeback wins to close out the season. “We’re really proud of this group, and it was such a thrill to finish fourth and cap it with two comeback wins says a lot about their character,” Wilson stated, reflecting on the state tournament games. “Our guys kept pushing, never gave up, and truly embodied what it means to be ‘T-Bird Tough’.”
Junior Landon Anchors was awarded to the 2nd Team All-State Tournament team.
3A Girls – North Thurston and River Ridge High Schools
The North Thurston Lady Rams (20-7) entered the tournament with hopes of another trophy after finishing third in 2025. Unfortunately, the #5-seeded Rams could not find a consistent rhythm and fell to #4 Roosevelt 30-68 at regionals and then lost at the Tacoma Dome to #14 White River 45-60 after being tied at halftime.
Head coach for North Thurston, Cesar Delira Ruiz, was reserved after the loss to White River but had positive thoughts on the season. “We have a special group of ladies, and I’m so proud of them for their composure over the course of the year,” noted Ruiz. “They overcame a lot of obstacles this season with some player and coaching changes, and we had different types of expectations but I’m proud of how they fought.”
The River Ridge (15-10) girls team secured a state regional birth with the #18 seed. The Lady Hawks fell to #15 Meadowdale 72-81.
3A Boys – River Ridge High School
River Ridge (14-11) lost 50-62 in a Regional State seeding match-up game against #14 Enumclaw. The Hawks entered the tournament as the #19 seed.
4A Boys – Olympia High School
The Olympia Bear (17-10) boys team also secured a place in the state tournament after wins over Skyview and Kentridge in District play. Olympia fell in overtime to Redmond 51-60, Friday, February 27 in Issaquah. It was the sixth straight state tournament showing for the boys team (not counting cancellations during COVID).
