Monday, May 2, 2011

Playoffs Around the Corner

The final week of KingCo league play is here and the playoff picture for both leagues is coming into focus. In the 4A league, all eight playoff teams have been decided, with a few seeding questions to be decided. In the 3A, Mount Si is the regular season champions, currently perfect with an 11-0 league record. Three other teams have clinched a playoff berth, while the three other 3A teams are in a dog fight for the final two spots.

Here's a quick breakdown:

KingCo 4A Conference

Crest: In the Crest Division, Redmond's magic number is 1 to clinch the crown. They currently hold a 1 1/2 game lead with one games remaining for them and two games left for second place Newport. If the Knights win on Monday, Tuesday's game between the two clubs would factor into seeding. Neither team will fall below second place, as Skyline (the current #3) cannot catch Newport. The Spartans and Issaquah play Monday - a Skyline win clinches the #3 seed, while an Issaquah win will force a coin flip for seeding.

Crown: Congratulations to the Bothell Cougars, who at 12-2 are the Crown Division champions. They will go into the KingCo 4A tournament as the #1 seed. The other seeds are set as well. Woodinville will be the Crown #2 seed, as they hold a one-game lead on third-place Inglemoor and swept the season series. The Vikings will be Crown #3, with the Ballard Beavers securing the fourth and final Crown division playoff spot.

KingCo 3A Conference

Congratulations to the Mount Si Wildcats, who are the KingCo 3A regular season champions and will enter the playoffs as the league's top seed. Bellevue and Lake Washington are currently tied at 7-5, with Mercer Island just one game back at 6-6. Those three teams have clinched playoff berths and are currently fighting for the #2 seed and a first round bye in the tourney. MI & Bellevue are scheduled to play Monday, with Bellevue traveling to LW on Wednesday. The final two playoff spots are up for grabs, with three teams in hot pursuit. Liberty currently holds the #5 seed due to playing one less game than Sammamish & Juanita. All three teams have 3 league wins, with Liberty playing Sammamish Monday and Juanita on Wednesday. Weather permitting, these next three days will determine a lot prior to the league playoffs.