Seattle Prep takes the junior varsity prelim leading up to the big showdown here at O'Dea High School.
The Irish, last year's sweetheart in the state tournament, capped their 24-5 2004 season with a 68-64 upset over two-time champion Rainier Beach.
Along the way, guard Mitch Johnson was electric, averaging 19 points per game last season and coming up big against Beach with some clutch shots and 27 points when it mattered most.
O'Dea entered the season ranked No. 1 but a loss to Jefferson of Portland, Ore. knocked them to the No. 2 position. They're here on their home turf tonight facing the newly ranked No. 1 Class 3A team, Seattle Prep.
Johnson's coach from Stanford is here as is Washington coach Lozenzo Romar, last seen standing outside, apparently waiting with a line of 100 or so other fans, for room in a backed Irish gymnasium.
This place is a pressure cooker here tonight with Martell Webster and Spencer Hawes looking to make a statement. Webster, a recent commit to the Huskies, is one of the top-ranked high-school players in the nation coming off an ankle injury last seaston.
It's time to play ball.
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