Tigers maintain success on the court
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year AGO
EPHRATA – The Ephrata Tigers (7-0) boys tennis team took care of business on the road against the Ellensburg Bulldogs (4-4), winning 4-1 and keeping their undefeated season alive. With dominant performances from Josh Mullin’s singles win and a doubles victory from Charles Flynn and Jacob Wolther, this team was a unified front.
With how the season has gone thus far and how they prepared for their matches, head coach Greg Becker felt anything but a win would be unexpected.
“These guys literally are all for one and one for all, and so it's hard not to be really happy with a situation like that. I think that's what's gotten them the success,” Becker said.
Despite dropping one singles match, the Tigers won the rest of their matchups in the first two sets. In doubles, Becker gave a lot of praise to Flynn and Wolther. Not only have they performed at a high level as a tandem, but their leadership amongst the team does not go unnoticed.
“They just come in, and they drive the heart of the team, and when they get done first, they're out there cheering on the rest of the guys, and everybody kind of takes energy from that,” he said.
Becker made note of Flynn’s ability to diagnose the action ahead of time and be proactive in play while Wolther is quick at the net.
“These two guys are in the game mentally the whole time, and so that makes them dangerous,” Becker said.
The Tigers are focused on not letting the hot start distract them from the work left for the rest of this season.
“You know, our goal is, of course, to be league champions, and if we're undefeated, then we're going to be the league champions, but you gotta focus on the match and not the numbers that come after. Let's celebrate later, but let's focus on the here and now, and they do that,” he said.
The Tigers are looking ahead to their big matchup with the East Valley Red Devils, who are currently 8-2 in the season.
ARTICLES BY MIKE MAYNARD
Cougs’ extend win streak after win over Portland
PULLMAN — The Washington State Cougars (19-17) extended its win streak to five after defeating the University of Portland Pilots 9-3 Monday, according to a statement by WSU Athletics. Pitcher Brock Blatter was happy with his performance after coming back from a recent injury. “It felt good (to) give us a good start and stuff and get us in good position and get a win on a Monday,” Blatter said. “(I just) keep getting innings and building up my pitch count and stuff like that and continue to build each outing. (I) got four innings today and continued to build the pitch count.”
Basin diamond roundup, April 7-13
MOSES LAKE — Over the last week, we have crossed the halfway mark of the spring sports season for Basin baseball and softball. While many schools were enjoying a relaxing spring break, many others still stepped out on the diamond as they work toward the postseason. See below how your favorite teams fared and their current record.
More than basketball
Grant County Red Tails emphasize mentorship while earning dramatic home victory
MATTAWA — The Grant County Red Tails (6-5) are the Basin’s newest professional basketball team. Part of The Basketball League, the Red Tails aren’t only focused on hoops, they’re also driven by community service. “We came together because we saw the need, number one, that we could revitalize the mentorship and the leadership things that are missing in this community, with touch points, with kids and families and family engagement, being in such a rural area, and we wanted to really take advantage of that and be the answer,” Co-Founder Antonio Williams said. Alongside Doug Foodies and Ryan Purdie, the trio has brought another option for entertainment to Mattawa and Grant County as a whole. Williams pointed to a new jail being built in the area as motivation for pursuing this endeavor, he said.