Cougars, Warriors face win or done scenarios
COLUMBIA BASIN — A next step up the state basketball food chain awaits both Warden and Almira/Coulee-Hartline High Schools boys’ basketball teams this weekend.
Win, and each squad lives to play another day in the playoffs.
Lose? Then it becomes all about planning the post-season banquet and scrap booking.
Neither team wishes to partake in the latter scenario yet and both are in positions to avoid such a result.
Cougars travel to Zillah
ZILLAH — Today at 3 p.m. the Warden Cougars tip off with the rival Connell Eagles (8-13) in a South Central Athletic Conference (SCAC) district loser out playoff game.
The two teams split the season series with each squad winning at home.
Connell the No. 4 seed out of the SCAC East dropped a tough 69-60 decision at Class 1A second-ranked Granger on Tuesday night, while Warden (11-10) fell 54-45 in double overtime at home against SCAC West No. 3 seed Naches Valley.
Warden, the No. 2 seed out of the East, should know what to expect against the Eagles.
“We know each other very well and it comes down to who can stop who and who wants it more,” Warden coach Wes Richins said. “It’s playoff time and we need to step it up.”
Richins cites the play of Connell’s Matt Hadley a sophomore guard who is averaging 14 ppg, while the team also consists of “a bunch of strong football players.”
Connell went 5-1 to finish the regular season after a 3-11 start.
Warden is led by Ty Jesse, Nathan Brown, and Eric Bates.
Jesse scored 22 points in the loss to Naches Valley.
Connell beat Warden 57-32 on Jan. 30, while the Cougars pulled out a 46-44 win over the Eagles three weeks earlier.
The loser of today’s game is eliminated from the post-season while the winner remains alive in district play.
Warriors face familiar foe
DEER PARK — It all comes down to one game against an old nemesis.
ACH takes on Odessa Saturday at 12:30 p.m. for the third and final playoff spot out of the District 7 Basketball Tournament.
Cusick and Wellpinit, who play in the final later in the evening have already qualified for the 1B State Finals in Yakima next week.
ACH (15-8) defeated Inchellium 63-49 (16-8) on Wednesday night to advance to the contest with Odessa.
“It’s a win and I like it because it gives us another game on Saturday,” ACH coach Scott Isaak said. “Now it’s all about have a sense of urgency at this stage.”
Derek Isaak and Kody Jess each led the Warriors against Inchellium with 18 points apiece while Cody Dillon added 11 points.
Odessa (10-13) advanced with a 47-30 win over short-handed Wilbur-Creston (12-10).
ACH swept the season series against their Bi-County league rivals, winning 71-38 at home in December and 61-34 in Odessa on Feb. 5.