CALEB PEREZ
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Huskies build up new tennis players and strengthen returners
OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies have returned to the tennis courts as they prepare to play in another successful season following the boys’ top-three finish and the girls finishing as the Central Washington Athletic Conference league champs. Coaches Caleb and Priscilla Tovar said they are ready to bring up a new group of dedicated players for the 2026 season. “They definitely competed,” said Caleb. “We lost quite a few seniors on both sides. It’s a matter of rebuilding now, but traditionally around here, we get kind of lucky and a lot of kids enjoy playing and you get younger siblings that have played at least a little bit before.” This season was the biggest start to the season yet, as the coaches said 108 players signed up to join the team.
Wilson Creek partners with Odessa for spring sports
WILSON CREEK — The Wilson Creek Devils have partnered with the Odessa Tigers for spring sports this year. Despite wearing different school colors, the Devils will be competing in baseball, golf and track as they continue their athletics through the end of the sports season. “We’ve had combined sports for the last few years,” said Devils Athletic Director Loni Koziol. “Before going to Odessa we were combined with Soap Lake, it’s a pretty common practice in our small 1B schools just for numbers, and Odessa was the school that was the closest and had the availability to take our kids.” Koziol said the ability to combine athletics with other schools in the area allows the students in smaller schools to have the opportunity to play in more sports since they don’t always have the numbers to make a full team. Besides that, Wilson Creek doesn’t have a baseball field, a track or a golf course that the students would be able to utilize to participate in these sports from home.
Huskies aim for a return to state in 2026
OTHELLO — The Othello Huskies are gearing up for the start of the 2026 baseball season after concluding the last season with a third-place finish in state. This year, Head Coach Sonny Garza said the Huskies are preparing to get into the state tournament once again. “Great group of kids last year,” Garza said. “They began playing for the team and for the person next to them, which was really good, and I think that’s really what helped us have a successful season.” The Huskies were a dominant force in the Central Washington Athletic Conference last season, finishing with a 23-6 record. The Huskies entered the 2A District 5 tournament as the second seed where they earned victories over East Valley and Ellensburg before falling to Selah in the district finals to take second in District 5.
Returning athletes look to make strides for Lions track season
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions are preparing to get their track and field season underway. After the successes from last season, Head Coach Dan Bishop said there is a group of returning athletes who are ready to make a name for themselves. “We’ve got several state veterans that were really good athletes (last season) and several that are just starting out and trying to find their way and decide which events are going to work out for them,” said Bishop. “We have a good mix of veterans and beginners.” Last year, he said the Lions sent seven of their athletes to the state tournament. Returning junior Amelia Shopbell made it onto the podium by earning sixth in javelin with a throw of 101 feet, 4 inches (30.89 meters).
Lions add softball to the schedule for spring athletics
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions are starting their first softball season at the high school level this year. Under the leadership of Head Coach Todd Gregory and Assistant Coach Ty Whitaker, the team hopes to grow this season to build the program into the future. “They look promising and I’m hoping that we can put in a good season and prove (ourselves) by the end of the year to where we can have a winning season and make some noise in the postseason,” said Gregory. The building of the program began last year at the middle school level after getting a group of girls together for a short season, said the coach. With their success in making that team, the Lions transitioned to getting the numbers to play in a high school season.
ACH gets back to the diamond with hopes to return to state
COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors baseball team is ready to get back onto the baseball field this spring after finishing their basketball season in the final round of the state tournament. For baseball, the Warriors have set their sights on returning to state after finishing third last season. “We’re excited,” said Warriors Head Coach Hunter Lee. “Obviously it’s tough to make the transition when you’re a (small) school like us. When you’re playing on the final weekend, it’s a very quick transition to go from all in on basketball on Saturday, then Monday, you’re in a completely different sport. It’s hard to make that transition, but it’s what you get for being good.” The Warriors had a very successful 2025 season, ending with a 19-4 record and advancing through districts to enter the state tournament as the number three seed.
Basin Sports Schedule: March 11-21, 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — Spring sports are beginning this week for high school teams around the basin. See where the local athletes will be getting their season started.
UW prepares for Big Ten Tourney run
MOSES LAKE — The University of Washington Huskies (15-16) are heading for the Big Ten tournament in Chicago where they will compete against the University of Southern California in the second round. The Huskies are coming off a close loss last weekend against the Oregon Ducks in the regular season finale.
GALLERY: WIAA State Basketball tournament gallery
MOSES LAKE — Multiple basin teams battled among the best players in the state during the state basketball tournament over the weekend.
Wildcats earn top seed in NCAA West to host regionals
BELLINGHAM — The Central Washington University Wildcats (23-6) concluded their run in the GNAC Tournament Friday during the semifinal round when they fell 74-79 to the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets (19-14). Despite the loss, CWU earned the top seed in the 2026 NCAA Division II West Region Tournament. “Our team showed a lot of fight and played hard,” said CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson. “I’m so proud of our fight and effort, but we didn’t have enough execution in finishing possessions with rebounds, making paint shots and limiting our fouls. Credit to MSUB, they played a great game and never let us pull ahead.”