Cougars compete at Othello Jamboree

OTHELLO - With a young group of players it takes time to develop consistency.

Warden boys basketball learned that lesson firsthand during the Othello Jamboree.

In a preview of Friday's regular season opener, Warden beat Wahluke 26-18 before losing its second game of the night to Othello 17-14.

"We played pretty well and we played pretty average and down in the second at times," head coach Wes Richins said. "That's what I expected. We're kind of young and we're trying to get to know each other. There was some good things, lot of potential."

Despite the up-and-down play, Richins' team shot well in the first game. It was only a lack of energy that kept the Cougars from two wins.

"I come away pleased with where we're at," he said.

Like all sports, Warden boys basketball is making the shift down to the 2B Central Washington conference.

The smaller schools won't offer a respite in competition though. Soap Lake - making the jump up from 1B - made it to regionals last year. Kittitas and Lake Roosevelt also made it to regionals at 2B a season ago.

Brewster and Okanogan - down from the 1A ranks - made the state tournament last year.

"For boys basketball it's not a drop really in competition at all," Richins said. "The 2B's traditionally have been just as tough at the 1A's for the most part ... I think it's going to be a battle every night."

Warden will rely on the play of Conner Haynes, point guard Pedro Gonzalez and J.R. Delgado.

Richins said the Cougars are picked to finish around the middle of the South division, but thinks Warden can surprise some people and sneak into the playoffs.

"Depends a lot on how quickly we grow up," he said. "I really like this team. I think if we can gel we can be a contender. We don't have the depth, we don't have the size that some of these other teams have, but any given night I think we can hang with any of them."

Warden girls show promise at jamboree

Warden girls basketball had a similar result as the boys.

After an impressive 25-2 victory over Wahluke, Warden ran out of gas against Othello and gave up a late lead in a 15-11 loss.

"We played real well," head coach Dan Caballero said. "It was good for us to play some other competition and kind of see what we have as far as player personnel goes."

The Cougars opened up an 11-1 lead over the Huskies before allowing a 14-0 run by Othello.

"We couldn't make free throws down the stretch 'cause we were tired," Caballero said. "We just kind of petered out, but again that just comes with having to get in shape and knowing the difference between game-shape and practice-shape."

The Cougars don't have much experience with only one senior on the roster and aren't deep, according to Caballero, but he still thinks Warden can contend for a playoff spot.

Mabton - who advanced to the 1A state tournament a season ago - Waterville and White Swan should be the toughest teams in the Central Washington South.

"We're young, not a lot of depth, but I was happy with our bench play tonight," Caballero said. "I think if they continue to play aggressive and within themselves and get in the flow of the game I think we're going to be able to compete with a lot of these teams."

Caballero will look to lone senior Maria Caballero as well as juniors, Shania Kisler, Allycia Gonzales and Brenna Whitney to lead the Cougars.

"We lost her (Gonzales) early last season due to a shoulder injury so we didn't get her back," Caballero said. "I'm excited to have her this year and she played really well tonight for us."