Nobody said winner-to-state bi-district basketball games come easy.
Mountain View's quest for the girls basketball program's first state berth since 2001 isn't over, but the road got harder after Saturday's 50-47 overtime loss at home to River Ridge in the 3A bi-district quarterfinals.
While River Ridge, out of the Hawks Prairie of Lacey, celebrated its first state berth since 2016 and two years removed from an 0-20 campaign, the Thunder (15-7) now must win two loser-out games to reach state. The program's last state appearance came during a 22-6 season in 2001.
It starts Wednesday hosting Silas of Tacoma.
"To get that close and to not finish is tough," first-year coach Chuck Knight said. "A tougher route, but that was our message in the locker room. We're still alive and got a great chance to still move on."