Success on the basketball court at Auburn High School has run rampant over the last two seasons.

Since Jessica Hansen has taken over the program the girls have gone 35-8, given the No. 4 seed in state, won a league title and have now punched their ticket to state after defeating Bethel and Tahoma in the 4A district tournament.

The boys have been the model of success in the south sound. Over their past two seasons the boys record is a stunning 40-3. That is a combined record of 75-11 (.872 win percentage).

The two sides had the opportunity to play back-to-back in the girls opening round of the district tournament and the boys second round against Rogers on Feb. 14. Both teams came out with victories, the girls by show of dominant force and the boys by way of resilience and grace under pressure.

The girls defeated Bethel 62-25, the fewest points Auburn has allowed since Mount Rainier was able to score just 23 points on Jan. 17.

“We really rotated on defense, know where your man is. We really communicated well too,” Ari Deloney said.

In the first quarter it was clear what type of game it was going to be. Auburn jumped out to a 19-5 lead and even got contributions from Jayden Lewis, who was in her first game back after an injury that sidelined her for eight games.

“It feels good bringing her off the bench. She’s one of our smartest defensive players,” Head Coach Jessica Hansen said.

Fresh off being named 4A NPSL Player of the Year, Avery Hansen had nine first half points, leading her team at the break. Hansen also got her teammates involved, Ari Deloney had seven first half points and the transfer from Foster has really shined in her new home.

“She is just getting so much tougher and aggressive and understanding she has a green light with us… She’s an incredible three-point shooter and incredible at the basket,” Jessica Hansen said.

Deloney was named to the 4A NPSL first team and finished with 15 points in the win over Bethel.

“I learned how good I can be on and off the court. They’re teaching me how to be more of a leader, communicate more and have more confidence,” Deloney said.

At the end of the third quarter, the game was well out of reach with the Trojans leading 50-20. But there were a couple frustrating moments for Hansen and her squad. Despite the blowout win, the quest for perfection is ever present in the Auburn basketball program.

“If we can control what we can control. Our effort, execution, energy, limiting turnovers, finishing strong at the basket, we will be okay. I like our chances,” Hansen said.

The win put the Trojans in the second round of the district tournament against Tahoma, a team that has found a way to beat Auburn in both matchups this season.

“We all want to beat them really badly,” Deloney said.

On Feb. 15, the Trojans went on the road to Tahoma and downed the Bears for the first time all season, 42-41.

Back inside the Bob Jones Gymnasium, the second-seeded Trojan boys took the court against 10th-seeded Rogers. The Rams gave Auburn everything they had, but the Trojans outlasted Rogers and defeated the Rams 71-64.

“It was a huge win tonight. Our goal is to win districts and be a four-time district champion,” senior Carter Hansen said.

The story of the night was Rogers in the first three quarters. The Rams gave Auburn all sorts of fits on offense and were methodical when they had the ball in their hands.

“They did a really good job at being physical and pushing us off our spots. I think their gameplan was to do that and get really handsy with Carter and DJ. That’s a good basketball team,” Head Coach Ryan Hansen said.

At the end of the first Auburn trailed, at halftime the two sides were level and heading to the fourth Rogers was in front by two. But when it came down to the final two minutes, Carter Hansen, Daniel Johnson and Miles Henry got it done.

“Carter just made some huge plays down the stretch for us, he kind of willed our team to that win,” Ryan Hansen said.

This game was incredibly physical and a little chippy as well. Both sides were giving it to each other on the court and after every huge basket, someone had something to say to their opponent on the other side of the floor.

It was a real playoff environment for a player like Hansen to relish in the moment.

With 2:00 left, Auburn trailed by three points. After a timeout, the five players huddled and from that moment forward Auburn was in control.

“The really challenged each other to focus on defense and said defense is going to win this game,” Ryan Hansen said.

Matthew Fredrickson, the lone freshman on the Trojan roster played big minutes for Hansen and got into the action on defense with a couple deflections.

“He played some really critical minutes for us and did a great job keeping guys in front. He was big for us tonight,” Ryan Hansen said.

Last season was a massive disappointment for the Trojans in the state tournament. After being given the top seed, rightfully so. Auburn was upset by the 17th-seeded Lincoln Abes in the first round at the Tacoma Dome. This year the Trojans’ eyes are set on redemption.

“A lot of people are doubting us this year. We are just going to silence that and show them what we can do,” Carter Hansen said.

Ben Ray / The Reporter Auburn’s Ari Deloney puts up a three pointer.