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Johnson-O’Brien stadium to host 1B, 2B state baseball championships
EPHRATA — Johnson-O’Brien Stadium at Ephrata High School is set to host the 1B and 2B WIAA State Baseball Championships in May, the school district announced on Friday. This is the first time that Ephrata has hosted a state championship event. “It is a huge honor to host a state championship in any sport,” Ephrata High School Athletic Director Bryan Johnson said in the release. “Given Ephrata’s rich baseball history, this acknowledgment is extraordinarily special. We have a talented and experienced tournament staff that’s hosted several Babe Ruth World Series events. We feel prepped and ready for this new opportunity.” The 1B and 2B state championships will be played over Memorial Day weekend, on Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27. Ephrata joins Funko Field in Everett and Joe Martin Stadium in Bellingham as state championship sites. “We’re excited to show off Johnson-O’Brien Stadium and the community of Ephrata while putting on a great tournament for the B schools,” said Johnson. “We’ve always thought it was a special place for baseball. It’s nice to have others recognize it, too.” According to the release, Johnson-O’Brien stadium was chosen for its facilities along with its previous experience hosting tournaments.
Basin sports schedule Jan. 25-31
COLUMBIA BASIN – With under two weeks remaining in the regular seasons for many sports here in the Basin, teams are looking to finish strong before entering district and regional competitions. Check out this week’s Basin sports schedule, including a full slate of games on Saturday.
Basin sports schedule Jan. 18-24
COLUMBIA BASIN – Local teams are entering the closing weeks of their regular seasons here in the Basin, with basketball teams fighting for postseason seedings and wrestling teams traveling to local tournaments. Check out this week’s Basin sports schedule below...
The Links at Moses Pointe hopes to open driving range this week
MOSES LAKE – As snow and ice continues to melt off the course, The Links at Moses Pointe said in a release that they hope to have the driving range open by January 17 or 18. “The snow is almost off the fairways, but most of the greens still have some ice and snow. Once the greens are clear, Mike and his crew will assess conditions, and work quickly to get the course open,” the release stated. Golfers with questions can call the golf shop at 509-764-2275 ext. 3 with questions on course conditions. The golf shop is open every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Local wrestlers shine at competitions
COLUMBIA BASIN – It was another weekend full of wrestling tournaments for local teams, with squads traveling across the state and into Idaho for various competitions...
Basin sports schedule Jan. 11-17
COLUMBIA BASIN – As many winter sports have passed their mid-way point of the 2022-2023 season, competition is ramping up for district standings. Check out this week’s Basin sports schedule, which includes all the local high schools as well as Big Bend Community College events...
Basin sports schedule for Jan. 4-10
COLUMBIA BASIN – Winter sports are back in full swing here in the Basin after teams had time off due to the holiday break. Check out this week’s packed sports schedule for all 12 schools here in the area.
Quincy to face Chelan on court
The Quincy Jackrabbits take on Chelan on Tuesday night for a chance to get a leg up in the Caribou Trail League. Quincy is coming off of three straight losses, two of which were at a tournament in Freeman last week. Both the Jacks and Mountain Goats are 3-1 in CTL play this season, with Chelan having defeated Quincy 69-63 on Dec. 6.
Basin wrestling recap
Many local teams competed in wrestling tournaments in both Royal and Tri-Cities last week. See below for a recap of how teams fared in the two tournaments, and both team and individual placings...
EHS wrestling team to hold Jan. 8 fundraiser
EPHRATA - Ephrata High School wrestlers will be holding a fundraiser on Jan. 8 to raise money for the wrestling program. Wrestlers will be serving brunch along with a bake sale at Pita Pit in Ephrata, located at 26 Basin St. Nw. The fundraiser will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 8 and while the brunch is no-cost, the wrestling team is asking for donations from diners.
Jacks place fourth at Cashmere Invitational
CASHMERE – Four local teams competed at the Cashmere Invitational on Saturday, with Quincy, Warden, Wahluke and Royal all finishing inside the top ten...
Rock, paper, sportsmanship, trophy
BREMERTON – With both teams tied in second place with 126.5 points each after the HammerHead Invitational in Bremerton, the Othello Huskies and Moses Lake Mavericks participated in a game of rock, paper, scissors to decide who would take home the second place trophy. Othello was the victor, Othello Head Coach Rafael Ruiz said.
Basin sports schedule Dec. 14-20
COLUMBIA BASIN – Winter sports continue over the next week before teams begin to rest over the holiday break. Check out this week’s Basin sports schedule...
UW’s Penix Jr. to return for 2023
SEATTLE – University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. announced on social media Sunday that he will be returning for the 2023 season with the Huskies. Penix finished the 2022 season as the nation’s leading passer with 4,354 yards. 2023 will be Penix’s sixth collegiate season. He spent his first four seasons at Indiana University before transferring to Washington after the 2021 season...
Zags drop to No. 14 in AP poll
SPOKANE – The Gonzaga men's basketball team checked in at No. 14 in the Week 4 AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll this season after suffering its second double-digit early season loss. The Zags (5-2) fell out of the top 10 of the AP poll for the first time since the 2017-18 season. That year, Gonzaga was ranked No. 12 in Week 14 before finishing the season in the No. 2 spot...
Winter sports season tips off
COLUMBIA BASIN – With 11 of 12 local schools stepping onto the basketball court, wrestling mat and in the pool this week, the 2022-2023 winter sports season is officially in full swing here in the Basin....
Collier off IR; Brown, Homer return to practice
SEATTLE – Seahawks defensive end L.J. Collier was activated off of Seattle’s injured reserve on Wednesday, and cornerback Tre Brown and running back Travis Homer both were designated to return to practice. Collier, who has an elbow injury, has been out since Seattle’s second preseason game against the Chicago Bears. The 2019 first-round pick out of TCU was designated to return to practice earlier this month but suffered a thumb injury which set him back. In Collier’s three seasons as a Seahawk, he has three sacks, 33 tackles and three passes defensed in 37 career games. Homer missed the previous four games with a rib injury that he suffered in Seattle’s loss to Atlanta on Sept. 25. Brown returns from the team’s physically unable to perform list after a knee injury from last season. Both Brown and Homer will not count toward Seattle’s 53-man roster until they are added to the active roster. Brown had elevated himself into a starting role with the Seahawks last season before his knee injury. In five games, the then-rookie out of Oklahoma had 10 total tackles and one pass defended. Homer is a former sixth-round pick out of Miami who had 16 yards on four carries in three games this season. The fourth-year veteran also has four catches for 33 yards this year.
Local scores Sept. 12-16
A summary of Columbia Basin sports scores as of Sept. 16, 2022.
Henry takes title, wins Tri-Cities Classic
KENNEWICK – The Professional Bull Rider’s Tri-Cities Classic concluded on Saturday with the Kansas City Outlaws’ Bill Henry taking home a win, with no other rider able to surpass his flawless runs on Friday. Henry finished with a combined score of 168.5 in his two runs, scoring 83.5 points in Round 1 and 85 points in Round 2. With the win, Henry was awarded with 34 points in the Challenger Series. Finishing in second place was Wyatt Rogers, who scored 168 points in his two runs. Placing in second garnered Rogers 25.5 Challenger Series points. Conner Halverson of the Austin Gamblers finished in third place with a total score of 167 points on his rides. His runs were rewarded by 18 Challenger Series points...
Friday’s results of Tri-Cities Classic
KENNEWICK – Bill Henry, a rider for the Kansas City Outlaws, went two-for-two on rides on Friday’s opening night of the Professional Bull Riders Challenger Series’ Tri-Cities Classic in Kennewick, a flawless performance on the evening.
Benevolent golf tournament hits Moses Lake Saturday
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Firefighters’ Benevolent Golf Tournament hits The Links at Moses Pointe tomorrow, August 27, raising money for the International Association of Firefighters' local 1258 group in Moses Lake. The money raised from the tournament goes toward programs like Operation Warm, Firefighters for Kids and more. Along with the golf tournament, prizes and raffles will be included during the outing, and lunch will be served as well. Participation costs $150 for an individual golfer and $500 for a foursome. Golfers can also purchase mulligans and more for the course, with money going to charity. Registration for the tournament is open online and prior to the 9 a.m. shotgun start of the tournament on Saturday morning. For more information, or to register, visit https://bit.ly/3SUkqKx.
WSU players make Senior Bowl watch list
MOBILE, AL – Linebacker Daiyan Henley, EDGE Brennan Jackson and running back Nakia Watson all were given nods on the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List, the organization announced Wednesday. The Senior Bowl serves as both a college football all-star game and as the first step in the NFL Draft process. Representatives from all 32 NFL teams attend the practices leading up to the game. The previous two Senior Bowls have seen 106 players drafted in April’s NFL Draft, all-time highs for the game. Henley transferred to Washington State after beginning his career with Nevada. The Los Angeles native also received a nomination on the Butkus Award Watch List last month...
Cougars to play in Las Vegas Clash
PULLMAN – The Washington State Cougars will head to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in December for a matchup against UNLV in the Las Vegas Clash. The game, which is set to tip off at 1:30 p.m. on December 10, is part of a doubleheader between the Cougs and Rebels followed by Arizona facing off against Indiana. "We are excited to participate in the Las Vegas Clash," said WSU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Kyle Smith. "This is an opportunity for us to go on the road and compete against a quality opponent in Las Vegas. It will give our kids a good prep for our conference tournament." ...
Cougs bring in French guard Kymany Houinsou
PULLMAN – French guard Kymany Houinsou signed with the Cougars for the 2022-2023 season, the school announced in a release on Monday. He joins his French U18 National teammate Maël Hamon-Crespin, who signed with WSU in June. "We have completed our recruiting class with the addition of Kymany Houinsou," said WSU men’s basketball head coach Kyle Smith. "He is a highly touted European guard from France and a perfect fit for our program with his ability to play on both sides of the ball. He is a big guard who possesses great offensive playmaking skills that blend well with his natural defensive length, strength and instincts." ...
Zags women’s soccer plays in Montana tournament
MISSOULA, MT – Gonzaga women’s soccer played in the Rumble of the Rockies over the weekend, a tournament hosted at the University of Montana. The Bulldogs faced off against Pittsburgh and Creighton, losing 1-0 and drawing 1-1, respectively. The tournament and regular season began for Gonzaga on Thursday against Pittsburgh. This was the first meeting between the schools on the pitch, and the Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute on a strike by senior Amanda West, with Landy Mertz credited for the assist. Gonzaga out-shot Pittsburgh 17-16 and held a 10-5 advantage on shots on goal. Erin Healy and Sophia Braun had team-highs in shots with four shots each...
Greeny to continue leading Cougar volleyball
PULLMAN – Women’s volleyball head coach Jen Greeny signed a contract extension keeping her in Pullman until the 2026 season, Washington State Director of Athletics Pat Chun announced on Friday. Greeny’s contract was set to expire after the 2022 season, having spent the previous 11 years as head coach of the Cougars. She’s earned Pac-12 Coach of the Year awards twice over that span and brought Washington State to six consecutive postseason appearances. "During her time leading Cougar Volleyball, Coach Greeny has established our program as a national contender annually," said Chun. "She has proven to be one of the best coaches in our conference and the country. We are fortunate to have her guiding our program for many years to come." Having played middle blocker for the Cougars from 1995-98, Greeny returned to the school as an assistant coach from 2000-2004. After a stint as head coach for Lewis-Clark State from 2004-2007, she returned to Pullman once again to serve as head coach in 2011. "It is an honor to continue leading this program and build on the success we have achieved," said Greeny. "Washington State University is home and we are so thankful to our administration for believing in us. We love Pullman and are 100 percent invested in the tremendous young women that have and continue to make Cougar Volleyball so special." Greeny was chosen to a coaching staff to train Team USA hopefuls at the U.S. Olympic Training Center for tryouts with the U.S. Women’s National Team and U.S. Collegiate National Team. Eight players under Greeny’s coaching have gone on to play internationally over the past decade.
Wildcat volleyball picked second in preseason poll
ELLENSBURG – CWU volleyball was picked to finish second in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference on Wednesday, the GNAC announced. Coming off a 2021 season where the Wildcats finished with a 17-9 overall and 12-6 in GNAC play, CWU also advanced to its ninth-consecutive Division II West Regionals. The Wildcats finished the 2021 regular season with a 6-1 record and had a 3-1 victory over Chaminade in the West Regional...
Cougars MBB to play in quadruple-header
PULLMAN – The Washington State Cougars will travel to Dallas in December to take part in the second-annual Pac-12 US LBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge, the conference announced on Monday. The Cougars will face off against Baylor on December 18 at the American Airlines Center, with tip-off tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. The last time the two teams met was at the 2010 Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu, where the Cougars defeated the Bears 77-71. WSU holds a 3-1 advantage in all-time meetings against Baylor, their only defeat being a 58-52 loss in 2008 in Pullman. "Playing Baylor this season gives us an incredible opportunity to see where our program rates against one of the best programs in the country," Washington State Head Coach Kyle Smith said. "Baylor has championship DNA and NBA talent all over their roster. It's a testament to the growth of our program that we are even considered for the event."
Seahawks RB Carson released with injury designation, reportedly to retire
SEATTLE – The Seahawks released running back Chris Carson with a failed physical designation on Tuesday, and Carson will reportedly retire after five seasons in the NFL, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport...
WSU linebacker named to Butkus Award watch list
CHICAGO – Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley was one of 51 players named to the 2022 Butkus Award watch list on Monday, annually presented to the best linebacker in the nation...
EWU's Chism, Jerome named to All-Big Sky lists
SPOKANE – Eastern Washington University receiver Efton Chism III and defensive lineman Joshua Jerome were both named to the preseason All-Big Sky list on Monday at the Big Sky Conference Kickoff in Spokane...
Big Bend hires new athletic director
MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College hired John Meeks as the school’s new athletic director, bringing along years of coaching experience to Big Bend’s athletic programs...
Basin sports schedule for July 20-26
Check out this week’s sports schedule, featuring local, regional and national events...
Ward named to Maxwell Award Watch List
PHILADELPHIA – The Maxwell Football Club announced its 2022 Maxwell Award Watch List on Monday, with Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward being one of the 86 players named to the list...
Hughes drafted in first round of MLB Draft
SPOKANE - RHP Gabriel Hughes made Bulldog history on Sunday, becoming the highest drafted player in program history.
Sports schedule July 13-19
Columbia Basin sports schedule for July 13-19.
WCC announces conference basketball matchups
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA - The West Coast Conference released matchups for the upcoming 2022-2023 men’s basketball season on Tuesday. Conference matchups include 16 games between teams in the conference.
Sports schedule June 29 - July 5
COLUMBIA BASIN - Check out this week’s sports schedule, featuring local, regional and national events and camps.
Zags’ ace named to All-American list
SPOKANE - Right-handed pitcher Gabriel Hughes was named to the D1Baseball.com All-American list on Friday, earning a nod on the second team.
Zags’ ace named to All-American list
SPOKANE - Right-handed pitcher Gabriel Hughes was named to the D1Baseball.com All-American list on Friday, earning a nod on the second team...
Former Gonzaga volleyball player to play in Finland
SPOKANE - Former Bulldog Cara McKenzie is heading to Finland to start her professional career with Polkky Kuusamo, the reigning champions of the top Finnish volleyball league, according to a press release. "It's always been my dream to play professionally overseas, and I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity and the support I've received along the way," McKenzie said. "I'm very excited to play with and against some incredible athletes and I'm excited for the growth from competing at this level." ...
CWU to have new helmets this season
ELLENSBURG - Central Washington will be donning new football helmets this season, shifting from the black helmets that the Wildcats have worn the previous six seasons, the school announced last week.
Silver Mountain hosts off-road race this weekend
KELLOGG, ID - Silver Mountain Resort will host an off-road motorcycle race this weekend, June 18-19. The event will host 500 dirt bikes on Silver Mountain in the Silver Kings Hard Enduro as part of the 2022 AMA West Extreme Off-Road Regional Championship Schedule. The enduro also serves as a qualifier for the grand championship in Tennessee...
PBR to host event in Kennewick in September
KENNEWICK - The Professional Bull Riders will return to Kennewick from September 9-10 in the Challenger Series’ PBR Tri-Cities Classic at the Toyota Center. This is the second time the PBR has had an event in Kennewick, and this year attendees will bear witness to the finest riders that the PBR has to offer...
Seattle’s X League team debuts next Saturday
KENT - The Extreme Football League’s Seattle Thunder will have their first game next weekend, playing the Denver Rush at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent. The league, also known as the X League, is a women’s tackle football league owned by NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka. The X League began as the Lingerie Football League and was rebranded to the Legends Football League in 2009. They rebranded again 10 years later to the X League. This is the Thunder’s lone home game of the season, and those interested in attending can purchase tickets on the accesso ShoWare Center’s website.
BBCC names new wrestling coach
MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College has hired a new wrestling coach, as Mark Geary prepares to take over the men’s and women’s wrestling programs. “I am incredibly excited, honored, and humbled to become part of the Big Bend Academic and Athletic Community,” Geary said. “Coaching wrestling is something I have always loved doing, and to get to do that as my full-time job is a dream come true. I look forward to making the most of the opportunity.” ...
WSU introduces new women’s golf coach
PULLMAN - Washington State introduced new women’s golf coach Sofie Aagaard Wednesday as the seventh women’s golf coach in the program’s history....
High school sports schedule, April 13 through 20
Wednesday, April 13 3 p.m./5 p.m. - Quincy JV softball vs. Waterville-Mansfield at Waterville High School
Bloomsday race postponed because of COVID-19
SPOKANE — The annual race to welcome spring will have to be held in the fall this year.
Spring sports suspended after school closure announcement
Columbia Basin sports fields and courts will be empty for the foreseeable future after Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced the mandatory closure of all K-12 schools statewide. The closure goes into effect March 17 and lasts until April 24, according to a tweet from Inslee.