Eagles headed to the Arena
BOB KIRKPATRICK | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 12 years, 10 months AGO
CBH Basketball Stock Photo
MOSES LAKE - Eight local high school basketball teams entered postseason play Feb. 7.
But after two grueling weeks of head-to-head match ups, only Soap Lake is left standing.
The Eagles beat Valley Christian 52-50 at the regional tournament at Eastmont High School Feb. 22 to get in, and are now among the elite eight 1B teams vying for a state championship in Spokane this weekend.
"The game against Valley Christian was a hard-fought physical contest," coach Rick Winters said. "We knew going in we were in for a real battle. Our guys played with a lot of heart and we were able to come out with a win."
Soap Lake finished the regular season with a 13-1 record and was the No. 1 seed at the regional tournament. The last time the Eagles made it to the big dance was in 2010 as a 2B school.
"Soap Lake has never placed at state, but we hope to change that statistic this weekend," Winters said. "We are really excited to have qualified for the tournament ... the community is excited for us ... and the boys are feeling good about themselves and should be."
The Eagles first round opponent is the LaCrosse-Washtucna/Kahlotus Tigercats. The game is scheduled to get underway Thursday evening at 7:15 p.m.
"LaCrosse-Washtucna/Kahlotus is a very strong team so I am expecting a hard-fought close game," Winters said. "We've weathered the storm to get to this point ... to make it to the top eight ... but I told the boys this is not the time to celebrate and that we need to go out and give it everything we have and hopefully we'll bring home a championship."
Ritzville boys in
Lind-Ritzville/Sprague is the only other boys team within a 50-mile radius of Moses Lake to make it to Spokane. The 2B Broncos will play a first round game against Northwest Christian at 12:15 Thursday. The Connell girl's team takes on Castle Rock at 9:30 a.m.
ARTICLES BY BOB KIRKPATRICK
Cd'A city administrator takes buyout
Park director also opts for incentive program to leave post
City Administrator Troy Tymesen and Parks and Recreation Director Bill Greenwood were among the 24 applicants the Coeur d’Alene City Council unanimously approved for the city's voluntary separation incentive program, granting them early retirement.
Key Cd'A personnel eye buyout
24 apply for separation package aimed at reducing personnel costs
Earlier this year, the Coeur d’Alene City Council directed staff to analyze the fiscal impacts of offering an incentive program that would allow employees to apply for a one-time incentive payment in exchange for a voluntary separation within the next 12 months and separating from the city’s insurance coverage.
Coeur Terre Phase 1 gets OK
Many voice objections to 438-acre development
There was nary an empty seat at the Coeur d’Alene Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Tuesday evening, as concerned citizens gathered in anticipation of the committee’s ruling on the Coeur Terre project.