Summer sports gallery: June 16-23
HERALD SPORTS STAFF | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 2 months AGO
Royal tight end Bennett Brown (87) gets set at the end of the line during Saturday’s Earl Barden Classic in Yakima.
IAN BIVONA/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Othello running back/defensive back Alex Mendez, in blue, returns a kickoff for the East at Saturday’s Earl Barden Classic.
Royal wide receiver/defensive back Case Christensen looks at the East Offensive Most Valuable Player plaque at Saturday’s Earl Barden Classic in Yakima.
Ephrata tight end/defensive end Eric O’Neel breaks out of his stance during Saturday’s Earl Barden Classic in Yakima.
Almira/Coulee-Hartline Legion second baseman Hunter Flaa makes contact with a pitch for a single during the nightcap of Friday’s doubleheader against East Valley.
Almira/Coulee-Hartline Legion center fielder Harvest Parrish rushes toward home plate during the nightcap of Friday’s doubleheader against East Valley.
A pitcher for the 12U Central Washington Sixers winds up to pitch at the Pete Doumit Memorial Tournament in Moses Lake on June 16.
MOSES LAKE — Whether it was the football field or the baseball diamond, Basin athletes remained busy over the last few weeks. As the summer heats up, school-based sports have cooled down, but youth leagues are picking up steam throughout the Columbia Basin.
Readers who know of a youth league that has earned coverage for their efforts on the field, diamond, gridiron, court or elsewhere can email Sports Reporter Ian Bivona at [email protected].
Othello running back/defensive back Alex Mendez, in blue, returns a kickoff for the East at Saturday’s Earl Barden Classic.
Royal wide receiver/defensive back Case Christensen looks at the East Offensive Most Valuable Player plaque at Saturday’s Earl Barden Classic in Yakima.
Ephrata tight end/defensive end Eric O’Neel breaks out of his stance during Saturday’s Earl Barden Classic in Yakima.
Almira/Coulee-Hartline Legion second baseman Hunter Flaa makes contact with a pitch for a single during the nightcap of Friday’s doubleheader against East Valley.
Almira/Coulee-Hartline Legion center fielder Harvest Parrish rushes toward home plate during the nightcap of Friday’s doubleheader against East Valley.
A pitcher for the 12U Central Washington Sixers winds up to pitch at the Pete Doumit Memorial Tournament in Moses Lake on June 16.ARTICLES BY HERALD SPORTS STAFF
Football set to start with Gridiron Guide
MOSES LAKE — Local football players have started to hit the turf as preseason practices have been running in the late summer. Check out how the players and coaches have been preparing for their seasons with the Gridiron Guide in Friday’s paper.
Wildcats Begin New Era with Championship Expectations
ELLENSBURG — As the Central Washington Wildcats enter fall camp, they also embark on the beginning of a new chapter, according to CWU Athletics. After winning the 2025 GNAC championship and reaching the NCAA West Regional semifinals, the Wildcats enter the 2026 season with a roster loaded with experience, talent and championship aspirations. Lauren Herseth takes over as head coach after serving as the program's associate head coach for the last five seasons, following the departure of Mario Andaya to become CWU's Deputy Director of Athletics. Herseth will be joined by assistant coach Hannah Stires, a former standout Wildcat player who returns to the Wildcats.
Miconi’s Late Strike Lifts Eagles Past Bucknell, 1-0
CHENEY — Eastern Washington earned its second straight win to open the season, defeating Bucknell 1-0 behind a late goal from Mia Miconi and another standout performance in goal from Payton Hyde, according to a statement by EWU Athletics. The Eagles recorded 11 shots in the match, while Bucknell finished with 21. Despite consistent pressure from the Bison, Eastern's defense held strong to secure its second consecutive shutout.