4 Basin basketball programs in top 16 of RPI, so far

RENTON — The first batch of RPI rankings from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) was released and there are four Columbia Basin basketball teams ranked in the top 16.

The top eight play each other in the regional round and earn an automatic berth into the state quarterfinals at the Tacoma Dome, Yakima SunDome or Spokane Arena. Teams ranked nine through 16 play a loser-out game in the regional round.

Almira/Coulee-Hartline (ACH) boys basketball check in at No. 7; the three other teams are girls programs.

Warden has surprised early with a 6-0 record and is ranked No. 3 in 1A. Warden has welcomed a strong freshmen group of Kiana Rios, Jaryn Madsen and Rylee McKay to complement seniors Bailey Whitney, Aubree Skone, Ashlyn Yamane and Ellie Conahan.

ACH girls basketball, which took fourth in state last season, is ranked first in 1B after a 3-0 start.

Moses Lake girls basketball is right on the fringe in Class 4A at No. 16. The 4-3 Chiefs pushed No. 7 Sunnyside to overtime in a 68-63 loss. Strength of schedule won’t be an issue as the Chiefs’ other two losses have come against Class 3A state tournament hopefuls No. 5 Kamiakin and No. 7 Mt. Spokane.

— Staff report