Othello boys coach reaches milestone
OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies boys basketball team rolled past the visiting Ellensburg Bulldogs 63-55 Saturday night as Othello head coach Pete Patitucci earned his 300th win while roaming the Othello sidelines.
After the game Patitucci said it felt good to reach the milestone in Othello.
“It was nice to be honored at home,” he said. “On the road it doesn’t mean as much. It’s pretty exciting. I started the season with 294.”
While Patitucci said it was relieving to win his 300th game, he insists the game is about his players.
“It’s not about me,” he said. “It’s about the kids.”
The Huskies controlled the momentum in the first half on their way to a 28-24 halftime lead.
Ellensburg managed to trim the lead to two points in the third quarter for a 45-43 Othello advantage.
Othello would not deny their coach his 300th win as the Huskies outscored the Bulldogs 18-12 down the stretch for a 63-55 Central Washington Athletic Conference victory.
Patitucci said his team is playing well at this point in the season.
“It’s a pretty competitive league,” he said. “Our goal is to keep improving each week and try and qualify for the district playoffs.”
Sam Harris led the Othello offense with 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Jeremy Cerrillo scored 17 points in the victory.
Othello’s Jakob Scott finished with a double-double when he scored 10 points and recorded 11 rebounds.
SCAC Boys Basketball
Royal 50, Warden 39
ROYAL CITY — The Royal Knights got their first win of the season Saturday night when they knocked off visiting South Central Athletic Conference rival Warden 50-39.
Royal senior Blair Collins led all scorers with 17 points and the Knights jumped out to an 11-3 first quarter lead.
The Knights continued to pour it on in the second quarter and Royal took a 24-11 lead into the break.
Warden managed to close the gap in the third quarter for a 32-23 Royal lead.
However, the Knights proved too strong down the stretch as Royal improved to 1-12 overall and 1-4 in SCAC competition.
The Cougars fell to 4-8 overall and 2-3 in SCAC competition.
Nate Stott led Warden in scoring with 14 points.
Royal junior Marc Albertson finished the game with eight points, six rebounds, six assists and five blocks in the winning effort.
CWAC Girls Basketball
Othello 53, Ellensburg 44
OTHELLO — The Othello Lady Huskies improved to 6-2 in Central Washington Athletic Conference play Saturday night when the Lady Huskies knocked off the Ellensburg Bulldogs 53-44 at home.
Othello senior Allison Walker led the Lady Huskies on the court when she scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to record the double-double. Christine Kirkwood added nine points, 14 boards and seven assists for the Lady Huskies.
Othello moved into sole possession of third place with the win.
SCAC Girls Basketball
Royal 56, Warden 40
ROYAL CITY — The Royal Lady Knights improved to 2-3 in South Central Athletic Conference girls basketball competition when they knocked off the visiting Warden Lady Cougars 56-40 Saturday night.
Tawnee Gonzales led the Lady Knights to victory and led all scorers with 26 points and Janae Anderson added 13 for Royal. Gonzales also grabbed 12 rebounds to record the double-double.
Warden dropped to 1-4 in SCAC action with loss. Kim McPartland led the Lady Cougars with 12 points Saturday night.
North Central Washington Girls Basketball
Mansfield 36, Moses Lake Christian 33
MANSFIELD, Wash. — The Moses Lake Christian Lady Lions couldn’t ride senior Esther Timofeyev’s team-leading 16 points Saturday night as the Mansfield Kernels knocked off the Lady Lions 36-33.
The Kernels popped their way to a 6-3 first quarter lead and a 12-11 halftime lead as Mansfield’s Jaci Bayless led the Kernels to victory with 23 points.
Friday
North Central Washington Boys Basketball
Moses Lake Christian 84, Thorp 7
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Lions boys basketball team left no doubt in their 84-7 win over 1B North Central Washington rival Thorp at home.
The Lions mauled their way to 31-1 first quarter lead and never looked back as they rolled into the half with a 52-3 advantage.
Moses Lake Christian managed to keep the Tigers off of the scoreboard in the third quarter for a 70-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Moses Lake Christian scored 60 points off Thorp turnovers and five Lions scored in double digits.