For the first time in Washington history, a Jewish high school sent a team to the state tournament, and it just happens to be from Mercer Island.

The girls basketball team of Northwest Yeshiva High School began and ended its high school state 1B basketball tournament last week.

The team lost its first game and forfeited its second, which fell on a religious fasting day.

Last Wednesday night, the Yeshiva team played in its first state tournament game, losing 62-25 to Sunnyside Christian, a school near Yakima.

The next afternoon, the girls took a loss to St. John-Endicott, 2-0, because it is one of several fasting days throughout the year the students, who are all members of the Orthodox Jewish faith, observe.

Last Thursday, recognized by the team and other Orthodox Jews as “Fast of Esther”, is one of five fasting days throughout the year, meaning the team could not eat or drink until nightfall.

Due to the fact that the game was scheduled for the middle of the day, and with fasting including no water intake, the school and team determined it would be an unnecessary risk for them to play.

If the team had won their first game, they would have been scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. second game, which would have been after sunset and after the fast.

“The girls suited up today to meet the opposing team, St. John-Endicott on the court to congratulate St. John-Endicott for advancing to the next level,” said Melissa Rivkin, the director of advancement for the school. She said the teams shared high fives and hugs.

“Our girls are thrilled to have had the opportunity to go to state and they had a blast there,” said Rivkin.

The team has only seven active members. Five team members play on the court at one time.

Northwest Yeshiva has 95 students, 60 of whom traveled to Yakima to watch the girls team play at state.

According to reports, this is the first time in state history a Jewish high school team, in any sport, as made a state tournament.