Chiefs open CBL wrestling with road win
Prep sports recaps
WALLA WALLA - It wasn't always pretty, but the Moses Lake Chiefs wrestlers accomplished job No. 1 on Thursday night - win their Columbia Basin League opener.
The Chiefs got the job done on the road, making the long trek south for a 49-21 victory over the Walla Walla Blue Devils. Moses Lake wasn't at full strength because of a couple injuries sustained during the recent Hall of Fame duals, but managed to win with relative ease anyway.
"We've got a few weights we've got to shore up before we get into any more dual meets," Chiefs head coach Jamie Wise said. "That'll make us more solid when it comes to postseason as well."
Moses Lake's 160-pounder, Josh Nielsen, started the afternoon match with a pin of his Blue Devil foe in 1 minute, 26 seconds. Teammate Brian Chamberlain (171) followed with a pin at 1:13, and 189-pounder Spencer Fackrell won 8-2 to give the Chiefs an early 15-0 lead.
Walla Walla quickly responded. Chief sophomore Connor Barthelmess lost by pin at 1:08 of his 215-pound match, while freshman heavyweight D.J. Henderson was pinned in 54 seconds. Henderson was a substitute for senior starter Tad Harman, who was held out because he's quickly approaching his maximum number of matches.
Moses Lake's 103-pounder, freshman Derrick Johnson, earned a key win in his match by staving off a late surge to win 9-8. The Chiefs forfeited the 112-pound match, and the team score was tied at 18-18.
But David Peralez (119) started the Chiefs on a six-bout tear, pinning Walla Walla's Dustin Taylor one second before the second-period horn sounded. Tyler Vela (125) earned a 40-second pin and Gabe Guzman (130) walloped Walla Walla's Ryan Harmon 10-1.
At 135, Cameron Chlarson was victorious by pin at 3:42. First-time varsity wrestler Cody Hoiness won by pin in 25 seconds at 140, and Tom Pfeiffer (145) eked out a 5-4 win over David Marquez. Parker Byington (152) lost 6-1 in the day's final match.
Hoiness was a replacement for John Silva, who dislocated his knee in a Hall of Fame match with Snohomish. Fackrell sustained a concussion in the same match, but was available in the league opener.
The Chiefs wrestle in the Pacific Northwest Classic at Spokane's University High School today and tomorrow, then return to CBL action by hosting the Pasco Bulldogs next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Bowling
Moses Lake d. Sunnyside
SUNNYSIDE - The Chiefs improved their Central Washington League record to 14-0 on Thursday with an easy win over the Grizzlies.
Sandy Smith led Moses Lake in the first game of the scratch series, rolling a 197. Amanda Strezlczyk was at 189, followed by Michelle Reynolds (188), Shanice Brice (157) and Virginia Valdez (154). Moses Lake won the game 885-668 to take early command.
"We started out kind of slow, but the girls stayed together very good," Moses Lake head coach Billy Brice said.
The Chiefs were even better in game two, with Smith once again leading the pack at 187. Reynolds and Brice both shot 183, with Valdez at 176 and Strezlczyk at 175, keying Moses Lake's 904-541 win.
"Once again, the girls stayed strong - they bowled like a team," the coach said.
Moses Lake's junior varsity players got some action in the Baker games, splitting the series. The Chiefs won the first 179-120 and the Grizzlies took the second 158-99.
The Chiefs return to their home lanes at Lake Bowl next Tuesday, facing a tough challenge against the Kennewick Lions.
Girls basketball
Soap Lake 42, Oroville 19
OROVILLE - The Lady Eagles braved a long and wintry road trip on Thursday night to knock off the Hornets in the North Central League opener for both teams.
Ariel Wernex led Soap Lake with nine points, Chelsea Allen scored eight and Michelle Martini tossed in six.
"We were really balanced tonight," Eagles head coach Tony Blankenship said. "Our defense was just really steady for us tonight. It was a good win for us."
Soap Lake's first three league games are on the road, and the Eagles are back at it on Saturday against Manson at 6 p.m.