Warden girls basketball continues undefeated
Warden HS senior Anahi Pinedo (23) waits for the ball.
Josh Madsen/Courtesy photo
WARDEN – The Warden High School girls basketball team is undefeated and solidified its status as league champions Tuesday after defeating Dayton/Waitsburg High School.
The Warden Lady Cougars shut out Dayton/Waitsburg 67-4 on senior night at Warden High School. Senior Kiana Rios had 23 points to lead the Lady Cougars against Dayton/Waitsburg.
Head coach Josh Madsen said his team has six seniors this year: Arely Rangel, Jaryn Madsen, Kaya Enriquez, Rylee Mckay, Anahi Pinedo and Kiana Rios.
Madsen said his team’s biggest strength is its chemistry. He attributed a lot of that to the seniors who have played together a long time and who are focused on “unfinished business.” The group of seniors has a 69-1 record in the regular season, four league championships, but no district title and only one official state appearance, he said.
While the team wants to make it to the state championship and hopefully take the trophy, Madsen said the kids are just happy to be playing.
“We’re taking it one game at a time and enjoying the ride,” said Madsen.
Madsen said the biggest weakness for the team is the unknown. Due to various cancellations, the team hasn’t played some opponents he said would challenge the team and allow it to see how it measures up to other teams around the state.
The girls have two more league games this week. The first is against Walla Walla Valley Academy on Thursday, and the second is against Dayton/Waitsburg on Saturday. In between those two games, the team has a non-league matchup against Mabton High School on Friday.
Following the games is the district tournament, where Warden will first take on Goldendale High School on Feb. 10. Warden must place in the top four at districts to move on to the state tournament.
The team is ranked No. 5 in state 2B basketball, according to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association website through RPI ranking. It is the only undefeated team in the top 10.
Box Score
Warden - 21 26 12 8 - 67
Dayton/Waitsburg - 1 1 2 0 - 4