Two years ago, eight sophomores were given a blank canvas.
They were a part of the first recruiting class for the Centralia College women’s basketball team after a one-year program hiatus. For decades, under the direction of Shane Schutz and Caleb Sells – now both coaching at the prep level in SW Washington – were leading the Trailblazers to winning seasons and tournament trips.
“It is all about opportunities,” forward Kate Carpenter said. “Opportuity to play, opportunity to move away from home, opportunity to make friends, opportunity to go to school. We all wanted that opportunity, we all wanted that chance.”
Now under the tutelage of Tiffany Twiddy, the Blazers are once again making the postseason a yearly occurrence.
Behind a career record set by Carpenter and a 40-point barrage in the middle two frames, Centralia posted a 65-51 triumph over Pierce College on Wednesday night at Michael Smith Gymnasium.
It sends the Blazers (8-17, 5-7 NWAC West) back to the NWAC Tournament for the second consecutive season. As the four seed out of the west, they will play the East’s top-seed in Walla Walla next Thursday in Pasco.
“It is so special to get to go, there are great teams sitting at home," Twiddy said. “I’m super happy with them for pushing through and continuing to fight for each other. They’ve been with me every step of the way.”
Centralia has gone 4-3 since a three-game skid towards the end of January and needed to beat the Raiders in a win-and-in scenario. It was the second meeting in a month between the rivals.
The second quarter proved to be the difference.
Down by one, the Trailblazers outscored the Raiders 20-4 to all of a sudden lead by 15 entering the locker room. Centralia forced Pierce to shoot 1-of-14 from the field and came away with five turnovers.
“Emotions are high,” Carpenter said. “You’re smooth sailing, you get to play your game.”
There was also a pause for a celebratory moment.
Carpenter, a Reno native, became the program’s career blocks record at 201 with another four blocks on Wednesday. She also hauled in a game-high 13 rebounds.
She was taking photos with family and friends that came to witness the historic milestone. During the timeout to honor Carpenter, her teammates showered her with hugs and cheers. The emotions became visible.
“It is a big number, big accomplishment, big ask,” Carpenter said. “It is really awesome to get to experience that. It was amazing to have the people I love most surrounding me.”
Twiddy admitted that Carpenter was at the top of the recruiting board. At 6-foot-2, she anchors the middle of Centralia’s zone defense.
“You can’t really anticipate something like that,” Twiddy said. “I could kind of tell the first year she was on track, but I didn’t want to jinx it. I got excited for her. Just incredible.”
The Blazers kept their foot on the gas in the third with another 20-point onslaught to balloon the margin to 19. Ella Baumgartner poured in a game-high 24 points on 9-of-14 from the field while Marecia Barnett added 14 and nine.
Abi Lundblad registered 14 points off the bench.
“She really is a shining star for us, kind of a breakout player," Twiddy said. “She really is just a goofball. When she does lock in, she does get it.”
Centralia went one-and-done in the tournament last winter against Peninsula. This time around, it will be a rematch versus Walla Walla. The Warriors used a sizable third quarter to win 76-65 back in early January.
“All the pieces have come together, it is finally all working,” Carpenter said.
