For anyone wondering how Ellensburg would react to missing the championship for the first time in five years, the Bulldogs offered an emphatic response early in Saturday鈥檚 2A third-place game.
They looked every bit as dominant as the program鈥檚 two title-winning teams in the first quarter thanks to opportunistic defense and red-hot outside shooting. That built up enough of a cushion for No. 7 Ellensburg to easily overcome a slow start to the second half and beat No. 4 Clarkston 58-44, avenging a 65-61 loss to the Bantams in Lewiston, Idaho, last December.
鈥淲e came into this game and we just wanted to leave it all on the court for each other, but also for ourselves and for our community,鈥 said senior Ellie Markus, a four-year varsity player. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so thankful for everybody who has been there for us.鈥
She鈥檚 played alongside fellow senior starters Molly Moffat and June Nemrow for 10 years, so they had more than enough experience to step into the leadership role vacated by Montana State freshman Jamison Philip, first-team all-league forward Layne Rogel and four other seniors from last year鈥檚 team. First-year coach Austin Smith called it inspiring to see the five seniors pass on that winning culture built through a 102-8 record over the last four seasons.
Ellensburg鈥檚 Molly Moffat shoots a 3-pointer during the 2A girls state basketball tournament game to decide third and fifth place against Clarkston Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the 黑料福利社 SunDome in Yakima, Wash.
All five starters scored in the first eight minutes as the Bulldogs built up a 20-2 lead, capped off by back-to-back baskets by June Nemrow. Markus and both knocked down 3-pointers while the defensive identity Smith said remains the team鈥檚 identity forced multiple steals and produced nine points off turnovers.
As usual, junior Bella Standish set the tone offensively for the Bulldogs, scoring 15 of her game-high 22 points in the first half. She averaged 24.5 points over four state tournament games, highlighted by a 35-point outburst to lift Ellensburg to an opening round upset of No. 2 Deer Park.
The 5-foot-9 guard also grabbed 14 rebounds and said the team learned to play faster throughout the season, bringing it closer to the dynamic speed of the teams that went unbeaten until the state championship each of her first two seasons. Although the Bulldogs fell just short of that mark after a semifinal loss to No. 3 Prosser, Smith and Standish both agreed the team grew considerably and benefited from playing with a chip on its shoulder all season.
鈥淥bviously I wish things could have gone differently,鈥 Standish said. 鈥淚 think everyone did. but for how far we came with all the haters, I鈥檇 say it鈥檚 something to be proud of.鈥
Ellensburg鈥檚 June Nemrow dribbles under the hoop during the 2A girls state basketball tournament game to decide third and fifth place against Clarkston Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the 黑料福利社 SunDome in Yakima, Wash.
She鈥檒l be the clear leader next season and believes a strong eighth grade class should give Ellensburg some welcome additions to replace its graduating talent. Smith added the coaching staff will take a significant advantage into its second year with a strong understanding of how to build the team around Standish and counter all the attention she鈥檚 likely to draw from opponents.
Markus, a first-team All-CWAC forward who鈥檚 heard from several interested college coaches, said this year鈥檚 group handled the pressure well by coming together despite the difficult adjustment to a new coaching staff. She expressed confidence Standish and the Bulldogs will be able to carry their high standards into next season after winning a sixth straight trophy, and the junior鈥檚 eager to take on the challenge.
鈥淚 think Bella, she knows how to win, she knows what it takes to win,鈥 Markus said.
鈥淚 feel like we can get here again and just keep it rolling,鈥 Standish said.
ELLENSBURG 鈥 Bella Standish 22, Ellie Markus 18, Moffat 6 J. Nemrow 5, Potucek 4, Gruber 0, Ross 0, Henderson 0, Kokjer 0. 19-54 10-12 58.
CLARKSTON 鈥 Laney Augir 14, Judy 9, Ja. McCormack-Marks 8, Jo. McCormack-Marks 6, Dempsey 2, McManigle 5, Bergamo 0, Blaydes 0. 16-49 8-14 44.
Ellensburg 23 15 8 12 鈥 58
Clarkston 8 9 12 15 鈥 44
3-point goals: Ellensburg 10-34 (Markus 4-5, Standish 4-9, Henderson 1-1, Moffat 1-16), Clarkston 4-17 (Augir 2-3, McManigle 1-2, McCormack-Marks 1-5). Rebounds: Ellensburg 36 (Standish 14), Clarkston 35 (Jo. McCormack-Marks 9). Steals: Ellensburg 10, Clarkston 10. Turnovers: Ellensburg 16, Clarkston 17. Fouls: Ellensburg 17, Clarkston 13. Fouled out 鈥 None.
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