Warden back in Class 1A SCAC East after two-year absence

WARDEN — It’s the same goal, just a different destination.

Qualify for the state tournament and make a run at some hardware.

Warden — competing in Class 2B the last two seasons — was eliminated in the regional round. In 2015, the Cougars’ season ended against state runner-up Liberty of Spangle. In 2016, the same fate was suffered by streaking Lind-Ritzville/Sprague.

Now, back in the Class 1A South Central Athletic Conference East, the focus shifts west — from the Spokane Arena to the Yakima SunDome.

“This year, like every year, I just want to go farther,” senior JR Delgado said. “Accomplish more than what you did last year so that’s the plan this year; place at state is our goal.”

To return to regionals and have an opportunity at a state berth Warden will have to navigate a league ripe with quality opponents. In the East, Connell reached the regional round a season ago. However, the West is where the true tests will be come postseason.

Zillah placed fourth in state after a controversial first-round game against King’s. The Leopards and the Knights were believed to be the two best teams in the state and were expected not to play until the state championship.

Naches Valley, also out of the West, reached the regional round.

The Cougars are led by the senior trio of Delgado, Tanner Skone and Adam Richins.

“We expect to do big things,” Skone said. “We can do a lot, but — especially from our young guys — in these last couple games our young guys have been doing a lot. It’s just not us seniors, but I’m really looking forward to it being the last year and just try to make a run for that state title.”

So far, the Cougars are 2-0 with a pair of blowout wins against Mabton and Highland. Delgado was a force, dropping 36 points in the opener and adding 24 points against Highland.

But Friday will be perhaps Warden’s biggest regular season game — another meeting with Kittitas and Brock Ravet. Ravet dropped 40 points in Kittitas’ 83-37 victory over Class 1B state runner-up Almira/Coulee-Hartline. The sophomore sensation added five assists and five steals.

For the Cougars, it’s about picking up Ravet at half-court and turning him into a volume scorer.

“It’s probably going to be our most exciting game of the season,” Delgado said. “It’s probably going to be a back and forth game; Ravet’s going to go off, obviously. Should be fun.”