Almira/Coulee-Hartline repeats as Scholastic Cup champions
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald ACH quarterback Maguire Isaak drops back to pass against Lummi during the state semifinals.
RENTON — Almira/Coulee-Hartline (ACH) asserted itself as the premiere Class 1B school in Washington, comfortably repeating as Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Scholastic Cup champions.
ACH totaled 885 points to second-place Colton’s 615.
The Scholastic Cup awards schools that perform well athletically as well as academically. ACH did its part by placing at state in every activity in addition to being top 10 scholastically.
The Warriors began their run toward a second consecutive Scholastic Cup in the fall with football and volleyball. Volleyball put together an undefeated regular season before losing a five-set thriller to eventual state runner-up Pomeroy in the state quarterfinals 23-25, 26-28, 27-25, 25-16, 19-17. ACH rebounded to win its next two matches to place fifth.
ACH football lost two games during the regular season before dominating the 1B state playoffs en route to a championship. The Warriors set the record for most points scored in a state championship game in their 84-60 shootout with Sunnyside Christian.
Both ACH basketball teams placed at the state tournament. Girls basketball lost to dynastic Colton 81-34 in the state quarterfinals, but routed Selkirk and Mount Vernon Christian to take fourth. ACH boys basketball made it all the way to the state championship game and lost a double overtime classic to top-seeded Sunnyside Christian 69-61.
As if there hadn’t been enough success, both baseball and softball won state championships in the spring.
Baseball navigated an undefeated season and avenged a loss in the 2017 championship game by beating Colton 8-4. Softball lost just two games before its state tournament and won three in a row in Yakima to raise the trophy.
All activities, including cheerleading, finished in the top 10 academically; baseball and football both finished as academic state champions.
Other Scholastic Cup champions include: Camas (4A), Interlake (3A), Sehome (2A), Lynden Christian (1A) and St. George’s (2B).