BASIN HOOPS REPORT: Regional play begins

COLUMBIA BASIN — Five local teams reached the regional rounds of their respective state tournaments, setting up regional games in Moses Lake, Richland and Tacoma.

1B Boys

Both Basin teams that qualified for the state tournament – No. 3 seed MLCA/CCS and No. 10 seed Soap Lake – will play their regional games at Moses Lake High School.

The Lions, who enter regionals with a 20-1 record and riding a 19-game win streak, will play No. 6 Cusick for a chance to advance to the quarterfinals of the 1B Boys State Basketball Tournament. The Panthers (19-3) defeated Mary Walker 62-55 and Inchelium 41-38 in the first two rounds of the Northeast 1B district tournament two weeks ago, and fell to Wellpinit 82-56 in the district championship game. MLCA/CCS swept through their district tournament, defeating Soap Lake 78-45 in the district championship game. Tip-off between the Lions and Panthers is at 8 p.m. Friday at Moses Lake High School. The loser plays in the Round of 12 on Wednesday in Spokane.

The Eagles will face off against No. 15 Summit Classical Christian (18-7), who won its play-in game 78-66 against No. 18 Northport on Tuesday. Soap Lake (18-6) had an 8-5 record midway through January, but closed out the regular season with a seven-game win streak. After a loss to MLCA/CCS in the district title game, the Eagles qualified for the star tournament with an 81-58 win over Waterville-Mansfield in the Central Washington 1B district consolation bracket.

Tip-off between the Eagles and Archers is at 6 p.m. Friday at Moses Lake High School. The winner reaches the Round of 12, and the loser is eliminated from the tournament.

1B Girls

Almira/Coulee-Hartline earned a No. 5 seed in the 1B Girls State Basketball Tournament, setting up a regional matchup against No. 4 Crosspoint. Since a Jan. 16 loss to Curlew, ACH (15-6) has won all seven of their games including a 46-36 win over Curlew in the Northeast 1B district championship game Saturday. Crosspoint (22-3) won 12 straight games from Jan. 4 to Feb. 13, but lost in the district semifinals to Mount Vernon Christian. Having already clinched a state berth, Crosspoint defeated Lummi Nation in the third/fourth-place game of the 1B Girls District 1/2/3 district tournament. Tip-off in the battle of the Warriors is at noon at Tacoma Community College.

2B Girls

Warden (21-4) earned a No. 2 seed in the 2B Girls State Basketball Tournament, pinning the Cougars against No. 7 Brewster in the regional round Friday. The Cougars are coming off a 69-59 loss to Mabton in the Eastern Washington Athletic Conference district tournament on Saturday, while the Bears (18-7) defeated Liberty (Spangle) in the 2B Girls District 6/7 Crossover to qualify for the state tournament. Tip-off between the Cougars and Bears is at 8 p.m. Friday at Richland High School.

1A Boys

While Royal’s 13-game win streak was snapped with a 64-52 loss to Zillah on Feb. 15, the Knights rebounded with a 77-70 win over Wapato to advance to the 1A Boys State Basketball Tournament. Royal (20-5), a No. 6 seed, travels across the Cascades to play No. 3 Annie Wright Saturday afternoon at Tacoma Community College. The Gators (21-1) enter the state tournament having won their last 16 games, with their last loss being Dec. 17 to South Medford. The winner advances to the quarterfinals of the 1A boys tournament, while the loser plays in the Round of 12. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. at Tacoma Community College.

    No. 2 seed Warden plays No. 7 Brewster Friday night at Richland High School.
  

    No. 6 seed Royal travels to Tacoma Community College to play No. 3 Annie Wright Saturday afternoon.