Eastside Catholic beat Nathan Hale 49-27 in a first round game at the Metro League girls basketball tournament and earn a spot in the Sea-King District tournament.

The Crusaders used 13 points from Kate Spires and eight more from Aleghia Harris to set a date tonight with Seattle Prep for a spot in the fifth place game.

A loss sends EC to a Thursday game against Bainbridge or Lakeside for seventh place.

Five teams from the 12 team district tournament, which begins Saturday, will head to Regionals.

The best regular season in more than a decade sent coach Bill Liley and the Crusaders’ boys to the final four of the Metro League with the second seed a the chance to play for the conference title.

EC opens its tournament Tuesday against O’Dea at 7 p.m. in Sammamish. The Irish took the first meeting 64-63 in December before the Crusaders evened the score with a 71-66 victory.

The winner earns the right to face the winner of another semi-final between Franklin and nationally-ranked Rainier Beach in Friday’s 8 p.m. final at Garfield. The loser plays Thursday for third place and all four are headed to the district tournament.

Issaquah, the second seed from the Crown Division of 4A KingCo, takes on Inglemoor Tuesday for a berth in the semi-finals.

The Eagles won the only game between the two during the regular season 68-53.

Eastlake opens its tournament Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Ballard at home, and with a win faces either Redmond or Garfield in Friday’s semi-finals.

The Wolves won 67-60 when they faced the Beavers in early January.

Three girls squads looking for 4A Regional spots

The 4A KingCo girls basketball tournament begins Wednesday, with Skyline, Eastlake and Issaquah after a spot in the Regional round.

Issaquah meets Woodinville at home, while Skyline travels to face Inglemoor.

Eastlake meets Ballard for a semi-final spot at home on Wednesday. The Lady Wolves won a 53-41 game between the two earlier in the year.