WENATCHEE — The top-seeded Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors open the first round of the Class 1B state tournament against the Ocosta Wildcats at 6 p.m. Friday at Wenatchee High School. 

The winner will advance to the semifinals of the state basketball tournament Thursday at the Spokane Arena, while the loser plays in the opening round Wednesday. Warriors Coach Graham Grindy said qualifying for the Thursday game is preferable.  

“If you get the win, you’re going to the (Spokane) Arena on Thursday, and Thursday means you’re in the double-elimination format, so you extend your season. Those loser-out games on Wednesday – those are tough,” Grindy said. “You know someone is going home. There’s definitely a little different feel to it.” 

ACH enters the tournament as the top seed, defeating DeSales 61-50 Feb. 21 to win the Class 1B District championship. Grindy said it’s a reflection of the work the Warriors put in, both on and off the court.  

“We have great kids that are great students as well. That student-athlete combined makes for good consistency. In sports you have to be a willing learner, and you have to be coachable. I think that if you excel in the classroom, then that carries into your sports for sure,” he said. 

Being the top seed means being the team everyone is looking to beat, and Grindy said that brings added pressure. Coaches and players have been talking about dealing with pressure since the season started, he said. 

“All season long, the message has been one game at a time. I think every team that feels like they have a chance (to do well at the state tournament) is going to set that goal to win the whole thing. And I think you should, if you feel like you have that kind of team,” he said. “From there you have to go back and take smaller steps throughout the season so that the kids aren’t constantly feeling that pressure.”  

Whatever the expectation, Grindy said he wants his players to focus on the immediate tasks. 

“All (the players) have to do is put in the work and the time and put in a good approach,” he said. “Not just one game at a time, one practice at a time. I continually tell the boys, ‘If you focus on practice and preparation, and you feel like you’re prepared, when you go into a game you won’t feel as much pressure.’ Because you’ll feel like, ‘I did my work, I’m ready to go.’ And then you just go and play.” 

The state tournament is a new season, in a way, he said. 

“I tell the guys, ‘You’re number one because of what you did, but now you’re 0-0, just like everybody else.’ It’s almost like a restart – it is a restart to a new season,” he said. 

“No matter what, (qualifying state tournament teams) earned it. They’re good enough to be here. We need to take it seriously, respect our opponent and play the best game possible,” he added. “Not take anything for granted, because nobody is going to give you anything at this point in the season. You’re going to have to take it.” 

    Nolan Grindy (15) takes a shot in a game earlier this season. Almira/Coulee-Hartline starts state tournament play Friday