WARDEN — A first playoff appearance since 2007 for the Warden Cougars tips off tonight at 7 p.m. against the Naches Valley Rangers.

The two squads begin their quest for a South Central Athletic Conference (SCAC) bid to the Class 1A state finals at the Yakima Sundome, March 3-6.

Three teams from the SCAC will advance from the eight-team tournament.

Warden (11-9, 8-4) is the SCAC East Division’s second-seed while the Rangers (13-7, 8-4) are number three out of the West.

“Naches started their season a little slow due to the fact they were missing their potential league MVP Weston Parker,” Warden coach Wes Richins said. “With him they have went 12-4 and finished tied for second place in the West.”

Parker averages 16 points-per-game for the Rangers.

“We haven’t seen them for two years, but more importantly, they haven’t seen us,” Richins said. “We are happy to be playing them at home. The Cougars have won eight in a row at home, but realize that this is a whole new ball game playing in the district tourney.”

Richins, who is in his fourth year as Warden head coach, is taking his second team to the post season behind a strong finish which saw the Cougars go 6-2 down the stretch.

The Cougars have been sparked by the play of senior guard Nathan Brown (12.5 ppg), and sophomore guard Ty Jesse (10.5).

Eric Bates, a 6-3 senior forward pitches in with eight-points-per game. Seniors Jon Burkholder (6-2 forward, 6.5 ppg) and Nate Stott (5-9 guard, 6.6 ppg) round out the starting five for Warden.

Naches also have plenty of experienced players like the Cougars with seniors Parker, Jeremy Gaudette (6-4, post, 11 ppg), and Justin Weigel (5-10 guard).

The winner/loser of this contest take on their identical counterpart from the contest between SCAC East No. 4 Connell (8-2) and hosts Granger (19-0), the SCAC West No. 1 seed.

On the other side of the bracket tonight, SCAC East No. 1 River View (14-6) hosts SCAC West No. 4 Goldendale (13-6) while SCAC East No. 3 Columbia-Burbank (12-8) travels to SCAC West No. 2 Mabton (13-7).

All games are going to be held at Zillah High School on Friday.

“We have a tough road ahead of us, but look forward to the journey,” Richins said. “Hopefully we get hot and surprise some people.”