Broncos off to 2-0 start
IAN BIVONA | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 11 months AGO
Ian Bivona serves as the Columbia Basin Herald’s sports reporter and is a graduate of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. He enjoys the behind-the-scenes stories that lead up to the wins and losses of the various sports teams in the Basin. Football is his favorite sport, though he likes them all, and his favorite team is the Jets. He lives in Soap Lake with his cat, Honey. | December 8, 2022 3:45 PM
RITZVILLE — Led by a veteran senior class, the Lind-Ritzville Broncos have started the 2022-2023 season 2-0 with high-scoring wins to begin the year.
The Broncos opened their regular season with a 79-39 win over Almira/Coulee-Hartline on Saturday and a 73-31 win over Asotin on Wednesday.
“It’s been a great start; I really have not much to complain about at all,” Arlt said. “We played two definitely younger teams so far, and our experience and athleticism have shown against those younger teams.”
Fast starts have provided a cushion for Lind-Ritzville in its first two matchups, having outscored opponents 51-9 in first quarters.
“What’s gotten us going is really our press, and creating turnovers and getting a lot of lay-ins,” Arlt said. “Transition, we’ve overwhelmed both teams in the first quarter and gotten off to 14-0 and 22-0 starts in the first two games.”
Defensively, the Broncos held the Panthers to less than 11 points in each quarter. Senior Hayden Melcher’s 13 points and five steals led the way for Lind-Ritzville.
“(ACH is) a smaller school and young, but to do it a league team (Wednesday) night, it’s really good to see our starts, coming out with aggression and focus,” Arlt said.
Eleven players have scored in both of Lind-Ritzville’s wins to open the season.
“We’ve set the tone really well,” Arlt said. “The kids are getting along, what we’re doing is working and we’re off to a great start. Everyone’s contributed and had some games where they put the ball in the hoop. It’s got them even more excited, and shown them what we’re capable of when we work together.”
After a non-league matchup against 1A Medical Lake on Saturday, the Broncos continue on the road against league members Liberty and Colfax.
“We get going pretty quick, and probably our two biggest challenges in our division is Liberty and Colfax, and we’re playing them both on the road next week,” Arlt said. “So, it’ll be a big week for us.”
The Broncos tip off against Medical Lake on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., in search of a 3-0 start.
