With trips to the 2B state tournament secured, the Bear Creek boys’ and girls’ basketball teams were playing for pride in their respective Bi-District championship games last Saturday at Chief Leschi School in Puyallup.

The boys outlasted La Conner in a marquee matchup 53-49 thriller that saw the Braves (20-3) come back from a 28-21 deficit at halftime, holding the Grizzlies to just nine fourth-quarter points as the Grizzlies were able to hang on in the closing seconds.

For the Grizzlies, Ryan Strandin led the way with 17 points, followed by Erik Domas with 12.

Both the Braves and Grizzles went undefeated in league play this year and hold an identical record of 20-3 heading into the state tournament, which next Friday, Feb. 25, with a play-in game against Adna at Mount Vernon High School at 9:15 p.m.

The Lady Grizzlies suffered their first loss of the season, a 30-27 setback to Darrington in their Bi-District championship match.

Both teams struggled offensively in the early going, with Darrington clinging to a 14-9 lead at halftime, as the Grizzlies did not find the net often enough down the stretch to take the lead.

Kristina Engelstone led all scorers with 13 points, followed by Morgan Rial with seven points and 11 rebounds.

The girls’ squad will begin their run at state on Friday, Feb. 25 with a play-in game against Napavine at Mark Morris High at 7:30 p.m.