BASIN SPORTS RECAP: Eight teams reach top-10 in WIAA’s RPI

COLUMBIA BASIN — Teams from across the Columbia Basin began to enter league play in their respective conferences over the past week, battling it out on the field. Check out this week’s local sports recap for a look at how local squads fared in contests over the previous week. All scores and records are according to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

Almira/Coulee-Hartline

Football

Hosting the defending 1B state champion Liberty Bell was a daunting task for the Warriors on Saturday, falling 64-34 to the Mountain Lions. ACH trailed 28-20 at the half after a goal-line stand, but Liberty Bell outscored the Warriors 36-14 in the second half to drop ACH to 2-1 on the year. Sophomore Harvest Parrish, sophomore Caden Correia, freshman Max Grindy, sophomore Brady Roberts (twice) and junior Carter Pitts all scored in Saturday’s loss. The Warriors host Inchelium on Friday at 7 p.m.

Volleyball

The Warriors suffered their first loss of the season at home on Tuesday, a 3-2 loss to Oakesdale. Down by two sets, ACH won the third and fourth set both with scores of 25-22, but a close final frame went to Oakesdale with a score of 16-14. Sophomore Naomi Molitor led with three aces, senior Beth Okamoto led with 26 assists, senior Natalie Evers had 17 kills, freshman Grace Okamoto had 18 digs and Evers and senior Mariah McWalter tied for a team-high in blocks. After Thursday’s road contest against Valley Christian, the Warriors host Wilbur-Creston-Keller, Springdale and Lake Roosevelt next week.

ACH checked in at No. 8 in the 1B classification in the WIAA’s Rating Percentage Index on Wednesday.

Ephrata

Football

It took an extra period to decide Friday night’s Central Washington Athletic Conference game between the Tigers and Huskies, with Ephrata claiming a 27-24 win on the road. Ephrata led at halftime 14-7 with a 25-yard touchdown catch by senior Eric O’Neel and an interception returned for a touchdown by junior Coltyn Klingenberg. O’Neel caught his second touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter, and junior Llandon Ahmann scored on a 20-yard screen pass in overtime to move the Tigers to 2-1 on the season. Ephrata hosts East Valley (Yakima) on Friday at 7 p.m.

Girls soccer

The Tigers traveled to Othello for the team’s third CWAC game of the season, falling 2-1 to the Huskies. Sophomore Delanie Killinger scored just four minutes into Tuesday’s game, with Othello answering later in the game. The Huskies defeated Ephrata in the second overtime period. Ephrata hosts East Valley (Yakima) on Saturday and travels to Prosser on Monday.

Volleyball

The Tigers fell to 2-2 after a 3-0 loss to Cashmere on Tuesday, the team’s second-to-last non-conference game of the season. The Bulldogs took a close win in the first set 25-21, then rattled off 25-16 and 25-14 wins in the second and third sets. Junior Addyson Hines led the Tigers in blocks (five), senior Natania Vela had six kills, junior Alixandria Helaas led the Tigers in assists (12) and aces (three) and junior Audreyah Grey had 17 digs. After a home game against Othello on Thursday, the Tigers travel to Quincy on Saturday and East Valley (Yakima) on Tuesday.

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague

Football

The Broncos recorded their third-straight win to begin the 2023 season, defeating Tri-Cities Prep on the road 36-12. The 3-0 Broncos checked in at No. 9 in the WIAA’s RPI on Wednesday, and now prepare for a road contest against Kettle Falls at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Volleyball

LRS opened league play with a 3-1 win over Colfax on Tuesday, which pushed the team’s record to 4-0 this season. The Broncos have won 12 of 13 sets played so far this season, helping them rank No. 3 in 2B volleyball according to the WIAA’s RPI on Wednesday. After a road game against Asotin on Thursday, the Broncos host Upper Columbia on Tuesday.

Moses Lake

Football

Moses Lake’s strong start to the 2023 season continued on Friday at home against Eisenhower, a 51-0 win over the Cadets in the team’s first Columbia Basin Big-Nine game. Through the Mavs’ first three games of the season, they’ve outscored their opponents 124-17, which pushed them to No. 2 in the WIAA’s RPI on Wednesday. This Friday, Moses Lake travels to Central Valley for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Girls soccer

The Mavs improved to 2-1 in league games with a 3-0 win on the road against Sunnyside on Tuesday night, getting back on track after a 2-1 loss to Eastmont at home Saturday. Moses Lake hosts West Valley (Yakima) on Saturday and Davis on Tuesday.

Slowpitch softball

The Mavs have rattled off five-straight wins after falling in the first game of the season, including a sweep of Eisenhower with scores of 24-0 and 21-0 on Tuesday. Moses Lake, who checked in at No. 3 in the WIAA’s RPI on Wednesday, hosts Wenatchee in a doubleheader Monday.

Volleyball

Moses Lake claimed another CBBN win on Tuesday, defeating Sunnyside 3-0 on its home court. With a 3-0 record in league games ahead of Thursday’s match against West Valley (Yakima), Moses Lake hosts Davis on Tuesday.

MLCA/CCS

Football

The Lions outscored Soap Lake 20-8 in the first half Saturday, eventually riding out to a 44-30 win over the Eagles to improve to 3-0 in their inaugural season.

Volleyball

MLCA/CCS notched its first win of the season Tuesday, a 3-2 win over Pateros at home. After Thursday’s road game against Thorp, the Lions return home to host Waterville-Mansfield on Tuesday.

Othello

Football

The Huskies fell in their first CWAC game of the season, with Ephrata defeating Othello 27-24 in overtime. Othello blocked a Tiger field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter to force overtime, where the Huskies scored first on a 42-yard field goal before the Tigers scored a touchdown on their possession in overtime. Othello travels to Selah on Friday in the team’s second CWAC game of the year.

Girls soccer

Freshman Brooklyn Hillman and senior Naraiah Guzman scored in the Huskies’ 2-1 win over the Ephrata Tigers in overtime, which gave Othello its first CWAC win of the 2023 season. After Thursday’s road game against East Valley (Yakima), the 4-1 Huskies take on Prosser at home Saturday and Ellensburg on the road Tuesday.

Othello reached No. 10 in the WIAA’s RPI on Wednesday.

Volleyball

Othello began conference play at home on Tuesday, falling to Selah 3-0. After Thursday’s game against Ephrata, the Huskies travel to East Valley (Yakima) later next week Thursday.

Quincy

Football

The Jacks claimed their first win of the season last Friday, winning in blowout fashion 48-7 at home against Tonasket. Quincy’s early-season non-league slate comes to a close on the road against Brewster at 7 p.m. Friday.

Girls soccer

Quincy improved to 3-1 on the year with Saturday’s 9-0 win over Warden, and the Jacks will look to make it four wins in a row Thursday night on the road against Brewster. The Jacks, who were No. 8 in the WIAA’s RPI on Wednesday, also travel to Lake Roosevelt and Chelan on Tuesday.

Volleyball

Quincy’s record was evened at 3-3 with a 3-0 win over Mabton on Tuesday, the second-straight sweep for the Jackrabbits (3-0 win over Naches Valley on Sept. 14). After Thursday’s home contest against Warden, the Jacks will host 19 teams at a tournament on Saturday.

Royal

Football

Royal won big on the road last Friday, defeating Zillah 48-7 while gaining nearly 500 yards of offense. Junior Lance Allred threw for 246 yards and a score in the win, adding another 55 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Senior Jared Lee gained 70 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in the run game, leading the way on a 233-yard rushing performance by the Knights. After checking in at No. 8 in the WIAA’s RPI, Royal aims to improve to 4-0 on the road against Lynden Christian on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Girls soccer

The Knights head into Thursday’s South Central Athletic Conference (East)-opener against Wahluke with a 2-2-2 record after defeating Wapato 3-0 at home Tuesday. After playing the Warriors, Royal hosts Connell on Tuesday.

Volleyball

The Knights got back in the win column Tuesday with a 3-1 win over Wapato, evening the team’s record at 2-2. Royal faced off against Wahluke on Thursday night and hosts Connell on Tuesday.

Soap Lake

Football

A second-half surge wasn’t enough to overcome the MLCA/CCS Lions on Saturday, dropping Soap Lake to 0-3 this season. The Eagles will look to get on track with a home game against Waterville-Mansfield on Friday at 7 p.m.

Volleyball

Soap Lake improved to 3-1 and 3-0 in the Central Washington B League with a 3-0 win over Cascade Christian on Tuesday, defeating the Wolverines with set scores of 25-21, 25-7 and 25-19. After Thursday’s home game against Riverside Christian, the Eagles travel to Waterville-Mansfield next Thursday.

Wahluke

Football

A 47-14 road loss to Naches Valley dropped the Warriors to 1-2 this season, who hope to even their record at home against Zillah on Friday at 7 p.m. Wahluke opens SCAC (East) play next week against Royal.

Girls soccer

The 3-1-1 Warriors began SCAC (East) play with a 2-0 win on the road over La Salle on Tuesday before traveling to Royal to play the Knights on Thursday. Wahluke hosts Warden on Saturday morning and Toppenish on Tuesday.

Volleyball

Wahluke fell 3-0 to River View and 3-1 to La Salle on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. After playing Royal on the road Thursday, the Warriors host Toppenish on Tuesday.

Warden

Football

Kiona-Benton amassed 30 points in the first half against the Cougars last Friday, who fell 36-12 to the Bears at home. After a five-turnover performance against Kiona-Benton, Warden looks to get on the right page against Granger on Friday at 7 p.m. before league games begin next week.

Volleyball

Warden is off to a hot start in the 2023 season, improving to 6-0 after a 3-0 sweep of Columbia (Burbank) in the team’s second league game of the season. After the Cougars traveled to Quincy on Thursday, they play host to Prosser on Monday.

Girls Soccer

After a 10-0 win over White Swan in the team’s Eastern Washington Athletic Conference (East) opener, the Cougars fell 9-0 to Quincy on Saturday and 4-1 to Goldendale on Tuesday, both of which were on the road. After Thursday’s game against Cle Elum-Roslyn, the Cougars travel to Wahluke on Saturday and Highland on Tuesday.

Wilson Creek

Volleyball

Wilson Creek has opened the year 2-1 after Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Riverside Christian, playing only in league games so far this season. After hosting Entiat on Thursday, the Devils host Cascade Christian on Tuesday.