Royal wrestlers settle for fourth at Best of the West
Prep sports recaps
PASCO - The Royal Knights wrestling team began Thursday with a courageous victory over Toppenish to reach the semifinals of the Best of the West tournament.
But a 53-22 loss to the eventual champions from Skyview in Billings, Mont., and a 51-27 setback at the hands of Crook County, Ore., left the Knights settling for fourth place at one of the region's top events.
Royal started the day with a 41-37 victory over 2A power Toppenish. Heavyweight Edgar Montoya cemented the win in the final match, pinning the Wildcats' Luis Rodriguez in 36 seconds.
The Knights also received crucial wins from 215-pounder T.J. Hunt, who pinned Ramon Rodriguez at 3 minutes, 39 seconds; 189-pounder Hector Ledezma, a winner by pin over Cesar Jimenez at 17 seconds; and 160-pounder Mitch Christensen, who pinned Robert Torres at 3:48.
Other Royal winners included Angel Ledezma (152), who beat Nick Walle by pin at 1:55; Sam Villegas (145), a 16-0 technical fall winner over Oscar Ramirez; and Ethan Tonnemaker (112), who pinned Isaiah Garza at 5:59.
In the semifinals against Skyview, the Knights got off to a poor start by losing the first seven bouts. Villegas (145) got the ship righted with a 12-2 major decision over Tyler Elm, and Angel Ledezma (152) followed with a pin of Joey Mancuso at 5:57.
Royal's two other victories came from Hector Ledezma (189), a winner by pin against Carson Hilliard at 1:28, and Montoya (285), a winner by pin over Sam Holt at 3:39.
The Knights had a chance for third place in the day's final duel meet, but dropped five of the first six weights to Crook County, Ore.
Ethan Tonnemaker (112) was a winner by pin at 1:06 against Andy Katzenberger. But Royal didn't win another match until Luke Tonnemaker (140) stepped up to beat Brad Brock 6-0.
Villegas (145) beat Taylor Coyle by pin at 2:55, Angel Ledezma (152) pinned Marcos Urrea at 1:03, and Hector Ledezma (189) pinned RJ Kriege in 41 seconds.
The Knights host the Royal Tournament on Friday, Dec. 28, beginning at 10 a.m.
Quincy 49, Prosser 12
QUINCY - The Jackrabbits took advantage of a short-handed Mustangs lineup and won six of the nine contested matches to stay undefeated in Central Washington Athletic Conference play.
Quincy went up 12-0 quickly as 112-pounder Tony Lee and 119-pounder Eziquiel Heras each won by forfeit. Carlos Magana (125) defeated Ethan Groom 6-1 and Ben Horning (130) picked up a 19-4 technical fall over Alex Jasso.
At 135, Quincy's Manny Ybarra made it a 29-0 lead with a pin of Carlos Hernandez at 1:20. Prosser's Joseph Huizar (140) took down Danny Somers in the grudge match of the night, 12-11 in double overtime. Quincy's Colby Melburn (152) followed with a 12-4 decision over David Huizar.
Quincy's other victories came from 160-pounder Kyle Arnall, a 17-5 major decision winner over Taylor Ledgerwood, and Max Melburn (215), a 10-5 winner over Seth Warren.
The Jacks' Ronald Sorto (145) and Lional Barajas (285) both won their matches by forfeit. Quincy's Breck Webley (171) lost a 7-6 decision to Nathan Bauer.
"They were down. They had some kids hurt and some kids in trouble," Quincy head coach Manuel Ybarra said. "There were some good, close matches. We have work to do like everybody else."
Quincy returns to action next Friday, Dec. 28, with a tournament at Vashon Island High School in western Washington.
Girls basketball
Almira/Coulee-Hartline 46, Sprague-Harrington 28
HARTLINE - The Lady Warriors picked up their first Bi-County League win of the year on Thursday, beating the Falcons.
Sarah Gloyn led ACH (2-3 overall, 1-3 Bi-County) with 19 points and Nikki Osborne added 11 points.
The Warriors are at home again tonight with a 6 p.m. non-league outing against Moses Lake Christian.
Wilson Creek 44, Lake Roosevelt 22
COULEE DAM - The Devils went on the road Wednesday night to wallop the Raiders in a non-league contest.
Holly Wilson had a team-high 14 points for Wilson Creek, with Tiffany Friend adding 10 points and Brittnee Reyes chipping in eight.
The Devils are off until next Thursday and Friday, when they play a holiday tournament in Mansfield.