A fourth place finish in the tri-district tournament might be a blessing in disguise for the Coupeville girls basketball team.

The unranked Wolves (11-11) drew the state’s ninth-ranked team, Zillah (16-8), in the first round of today’s 1A WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington 1A Girls Basketball Championship in Yakima. Overlake, which beat Coupeville for the third tri-district seed on Saturday, drew second-ranked Colfax.

“It looks like the draw has put a few contenders against each other early in the tournament,” Coupeville coach Geoff Kappes said. “This might let a dark horse team make a little run.”

Kappes hopes Coupeville might be that team.

“I think we will be a little underestimated at state because they will look at our record rather than our level of talent,” he said.

The Wolves tip off today’s double-elimination state tournament with the first game at 9 a.m.

As for the early start, Kappes said he isn’t concerned, noting his team won’t have to get up before 5 a.m. like it did for Saturday’s district game.

Zillah, which is just 20 miles south of Yakima, is no pushover. The Leopards finished second behind undefeated White Pass in league and district.

As of press time, Kappes was still scouting Zillah.

“Last year the team really liked to push the pace and play fast break basketball,” he said. “They have a new coach this year, but many of their players are the same, so I am fairly sure they like an up-tempo pace.”

Zillah is led by 5-foot-8 senior Rondelle Guthrie — a guard who likes to drive and shoot the three. She is the team leader in points (8.9), assists (3.1), blocks (1.7) and steals (1.3).

The Leopards also have size to match the Wolves’ four six-footers with three girls at 5-foot-10 and one over six-feet. Rosebud Gutherie, a 6-foot-1 freshman leads that bunch with 8.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

“They have some height, too, so I am sure they have the same idea,” Kappes said. “It will come down to who enters the ball to the post consistently and who is more active on the boards.”

•Note: Coupeville has made it to five state tournaments and placed three times. Zillah has played in 11 state tournaments and placed eight times.