COULEE CITY — Coming off a 14-9 season a year ago, the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors come into the 2023-24 season looking to build off the strides last season’s squad made.

“Having the guys the last couple days, there’s been excitement in the gym,” ACH coach Graham Grindy said. “There’s lots of hard work. We have pretty decent numbers, we’re at 19 so a little more than last year. We’re still young, but I think that experience last year of being really young is going to, hopefully, pay off this year.”

Last year’s young team was composed of mainly freshmen and sophomores, meaning the Warriors will return all five of their starters and many role players from 2022-23 with another year of experience.

“There’s a ton of energy,” Grindy said. “As kids mature, you hope to see decision-making get a little bit better, like the mental aspects of the game. Making smarter choices, and not being so nerved up because you’ve been out there before.”

After opening the year 2-3, ACH responded by winning 10 of their next 12 games and reached the district tournament with a 13-7 record. However, late losses to Wilbur-Creston-Keller and Odessa stuck with the Warriors are they prepared for the playoffs, where they went 1-2 in the 1B District 7 tournament.

“Those two losses kind of carried into the playoffs a little bit,” Grindy said. “We just ran out of steam last year, and this year I’m hoping to be picking up steam as we head into the postseason. Hopefully, we’re deeper, we have more endurance and we can figure out how to win games that really matter.”

Part of last season’s struggles was rebounding, Grindy said.

“We struggled with that last year because it’s just tough to hold your ground against older, stronger kids,” Grindy said. “I’m liking what I see physically from us.”

Grindy noted the Warriors are strong in the guard position, as well as have length among the big men and the ability to shoot from the perimeter.

“We can get out and run, and we can also put some pressure on the full court,” Grindy said. “Play a fast game that’s fun and up-tempo.”

Those strengths were demonstrated over the summer at a BNB Camp hosted in Newport, where the team spent four days playing basketball against other 1B and 2B schools from across the state.

“There was some good gelling that happened over the summer time too, it’s a fun group,” Grindy said. “They really just enjoy playing together, playing for each other and playing for the guy next to them.”

After missing the state tournament last year, the Warriors are aiming for a return to the Spokane Arena this season; ACH placed second in the 1B Boys State Basketball Tournament in the 2021-22 season.

The Northeast 1B league holds quality teams in Wilbur-Creston-Keller and Odessa, as well as the defending 1B state champion Wellpinit.

“It’d be great to sweep those teams, but you’ve got to split; you can’t get swept by all those teams,” Grindy said. “When you get down to the end and get seeded into districts, it’ll make a difference.”

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

ACH Boys Basketball Schedule

Dec. 2 — vs. Lind-Ritzville/Sprague — 6 p.m.

Dec. 5 — vs. Lake Roosevelt — 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 9 — vs. Wellpinit — 6 p.m.

Dec. 12 — vs. Wilbur-Creston-Keller — 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 — @ Valley Christian — 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 — @ Odessa — 6 p.m.

Dec. 19 — @ Manson — 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 29 — @ Waterville-Mansfield — 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 30 — vs. MLCA/CCS — 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 5 — @ Chesterton Academy — 7:30 p.m.

Jan 6 — @ Mary Walker — 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 — @ Wilbur-Creston-Keller — 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 12 — vs. Odessa — 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 13 — @ Wellpinit — 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 16 — vs. Curlew — 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 — vs. Mary Walker — 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 20 — vs. Chesterton Academy — 6 p.m.

Jan. 26 — vs. Valley Christian — 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 27 — @ Republic — 6 p.m.

    ACH junior Carter Pitts (11) looks past a Manson defender.
  

    ACH sophomore Brady Roberts (21) leaps up for the opening tipoff against Manson last season.
  

    The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors went 14-9 last season, and now look to improve with another season of experience.