![Eastside Catholic Girls Basketball Team after winning 3A State Championship]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1773767901/eastsidecatholicorg/yzxynjuzailnxhioaknk/DarnelliaRussell_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1773767901/eastsidecatholicorg/yzxynjuzailnxhioaknk/DarnelliaRussell_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1773767901/eastsidecatholicorg/yzxynjuzailnxhioaknk/DarnelliaRussell_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1773767901/eastsidecatholicorg/yzxynjuzailnxhioaknk/DarnelliaRussell_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1773767901/eastsidecatholicorg/yzxynjuzailnxhioaknk/DarnelliaRussell_1.jpg","width":1600}])
Russell’s Journey Comes Full Circle with Eastside Catholic Title Run
Eastside Catholic Girls Basketball Head Coach Darnellia Russell led the Crusaders to the 3A State Championship earlier this month, securing a 55-43 win over Bellevue High School at the Tacoma Dome to cap a historic season. This marks the first state championship in program history for the girls basketball team.
The title marked a full-circle moment for Coach Russell, whose own state championship experience as a player was featured in the documentary “The Heart of the Game.”
Eastside Catholic’s postseason run highlighted the team's resilience. After a 2-5 start and two regular-season losses to Bellevue, the Crusaders found their stride at the right time—delivering their strongest performance on the biggest stage.
At the Tacoma Dome, the championship reflected a season defined by growth and determination, while adding a powerful new chapter to Coach Russell’s already inspiring basketball journey.
For the full story on Coach Russell’s journey and Eastside Catholic’s championship run, read more in the Seattle Times.
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Eastside Catholic Girls Basketball Head Coach Darnellia Russell led the Crusaders to the 3A State Championship earlier this month.
![Eastside Catholic Girls Basketball Team posing for photo after winning 3A State Championship]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1773070376/eastsidecatholicorg/cxofgz0p5objvr4qd1bw/ECGirlsBasketballStateTitle.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1773070376/eastsidecatholicorg/cxofgz0p5objvr4qd1bw/ECGirlsBasketballStateTitle.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1773070376/eastsidecatholicorg/cxofgz0p5objvr4qd1bw/ECGirlsBasketballStateTitle.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1773070376/eastsidecatholicorg/cxofgz0p5objvr4qd1bw/ECGirlsBasketballStateTitle.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1773070376/eastsidecatholicorg/cxofgz0p5objvr4qd1bw/ECGirlsBasketballStateTitle.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1773070376/eastsidecatholicorg/cxofgz0p5objvr4qd1bw/ECGirlsBasketballStateTitle.jpg","width":2200}])
Eastside Catholic captured the 3A girls state basketball championship with a 55-43 victory over Bellevue High School on Saturday night at the Tacoma Dome.
![Eastside Catholic Girls Basketball player shooting the ball over an opposing defender]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772832557/eastsidecatholicorg/xpnswpqin6jvk8zqcjf6/GirlsBasketballState.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772832557/eastsidecatholicorg/xpnswpqin6jvk8zqcjf6/GirlsBasketballState.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772832557/eastsidecatholicorg/xpnswpqin6jvk8zqcjf6/GirlsBasketballState.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1772832557/eastsidecatholicorg/xpnswpqin6jvk8zqcjf6/GirlsBasketballState.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1772832557/eastsidecatholicorg/xpnswpqin6jvk8zqcjf6/GirlsBasketballState.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1772832557/eastsidecatholicorg/xpnswpqin6jvk8zqcjf6/GirlsBasketballState.jpg","width":2200}])
Eastside Catholic girls basketball defeated White River High School 67-48 in the 3A girls state basketball tournament.
![Eastside Catholic Boys Basketball Player Dunking a Basketball]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772830602/eastsidecatholicorg/evthjuxprjlj37ngblj0/ECBoysBballState.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772830602/eastsidecatholicorg/evthjuxprjlj37ngblj0/ECBoysBballState.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772830602/eastsidecatholicorg/evthjuxprjlj37ngblj0/ECBoysBballState.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1772830602/eastsidecatholicorg/evthjuxprjlj37ngblj0/ECBoysBballState.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1772830602/eastsidecatholicorg/evthjuxprjlj37ngblj0/ECBoysBballState.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1772830602/eastsidecatholicorg/evthjuxprjlj37ngblj0/ECBoysBballState.jpg","width":2200}])
Eastside Catholic secured a 53-37 win over the Mt. Spokane Wildcats in the 3A boys state basketball quarterfinals.
![Head Football Coach Jeremy Thielbahr]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771010005/eastsidecatholicorg/e9exbnq0bij8dz6gwraf/Jeremy_T_sm.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1771010005/eastsidecatholicorg/e9exbnq0bij8dz6gwraf/Jeremy_T_sm.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1771010005/eastsidecatholicorg/e9exbnq0bij8dz6gwraf/Jeremy_T_sm.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1771010005/eastsidecatholicorg/e9exbnq0bij8dz6gwraf/Jeremy_T_sm.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1771010005/eastsidecatholicorg/e9exbnq0bij8dz6gwraf/Jeremy_T_sm.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1771010005/eastsidecatholicorg/e9exbnq0bij8dz6gwraf/Jeremy_T_sm.jpg","width":2200}])
Eastside Catholic School is pleased to welcome Jeremy Thielbahr as Head Football Coach, bringing back a proven leader and longtime champion of the Crusaders program.
![Ryan Long and Tristan Weigum stand in front of a white banner with the EC and Nike logos]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770249736/eastsidecatholicorg/hxrdbgjkfuatioedzw1s/Ryan_Tristan_Signing_Day_2426.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770249736/eastsidecatholicorg/hxrdbgjkfuatioedzw1s/Ryan_Tristan_Signing_Day_2426.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770249736/eastsidecatholicorg/hxrdbgjkfuatioedzw1s/Ryan_Tristan_Signing_Day_2426.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1770249736/eastsidecatholicorg/hxrdbgjkfuatioedzw1s/Ryan_Tristan_Signing_Day_2426.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1770249736/eastsidecatholicorg/hxrdbgjkfuatioedzw1s/Ryan_Tristan_Signing_Day_2426.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1770249736/eastsidecatholicorg/hxrdbgjkfuatioedzw1s/Ryan_Tristan_Signing_Day_2426.jpg","width":2200}])
Eastside Catholic School proudly celebrates seniors Ryan Long and Tristan Weigum, who signed on National Signing Day, February 4, to begin their collegiate baseball journeys.
![Two Eastside Catholic girls varsity basketball players high five on the court.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770059076/eastsidecatholicorg/bihmcpwdl5ihwcpaojga/ECBasketballNews.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770059076/eastsidecatholicorg/bihmcpwdl5ihwcpaojga/ECBasketballNews.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770059076/eastsidecatholicorg/bihmcpwdl5ihwcpaojga/ECBasketballNews.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1770059076/eastsidecatholicorg/bihmcpwdl5ihwcpaojga/ECBasketballNews.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770059076/eastsidecatholicorg/bihmcpwdl5ihwcpaojga/ECBasketballNews.jpg","width":1600}])
Eastside Catholic varsity girl's basketball took home a resounding 64-53 victory following a trip to Metro League rival Bishop Blanchet High School.
![Eastside Catholic boys cross country team running in cross country competition.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1767988471/eastsidecatholicorg/kqfyjxose4pv1cbnxhkj/XCGoodNews.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1767988471/eastsidecatholicorg/kqfyjxose4pv1cbnxhkj/XCGoodNews.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1767988471/eastsidecatholicorg/kqfyjxose4pv1cbnxhkj/XCGoodNews.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1767988471/eastsidecatholicorg/kqfyjxose4pv1cbnxhkj/XCGoodNews.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1767988471/eastsidecatholicorg/kqfyjxose4pv1cbnxhkj/XCGoodNews.jpg","width":1440}])
Eastside Catholic’s boys cross country team earned second place in the WIAA Scholastic Awards Program this fall.