ACH wins district title ahead of state run
CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 3 weeks AGO
The ACH boys basketball team holds up the 1B District Champions hardware following Saturday’s victory over DeSales.
COURTESY PHOTO/JENNIFER SCHUH/ACH ATHLETICS
Nolan Grindy from the Warriors looks for an opening to make a play while under pressure from the DeSales’ defenders.
Josh Booker from ACH works quickly on his feet to go in for a layup during Saturday’s game against DeSales.
ACH's Max Grindy makes a push toward the net during the district championship game Saturday against Desales.
Caden Correia from the Warriors prepares to take a shot with an oncoming DeSales defender on the way.
REARDAN — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors earned the 1B District 6 title Saturday evening after an 83-68 victory over DeSales in the district championships. With this victory, the Warriors enter the state tournament as the second seed and prepare to make a deep run toward a state championship.
“It’s a cool deal, especially now that the districts are bigger ... when you are able to come out as a district champ, it certainly means something,” said Warriors Head Coach Graham Grindy. “It’s a great accomplishment, but then (we) get refocused because we’ve got to prep for the next team.”
The game was off to a hot start as the two teams kept the scores close throughout the first quarter. High-energy offense defined the quarter as DeSales shot four three-pointers, and ACH hit five three-pointers in the total score of 24-22 by the end of the first eight minutes.
The Warriors went on a strong run in the second quarter, significantly outscoring DeSales and holding the opponent to only nine points. By halftime, ACH led 48-31.
DeSales came back from the half with renewed energy as they outscored ACH in the third quarter and pushed to cut the point differential between the two teams. The Warriors held strong in the second half, and by the end of the fourth quarter, they maintained their lead to take the victory and the district title.
All five starters for the Warriors reached double-digit scoring during Saturday’s matchup as Max Grindy led the team with 24 points, followed by Josh Booker with 18 points, Tucker Bayless with 15, Caden Correia with 13 and Nolan Grindy with 10.
“It was a really good game; it was pretty fast-paced to start out with both teams trading blows,” said Grindy. “We both came out really hot and DeSales is a good basketball team. Everybody you’re going to be playing from here on out is good.”
Following the district championships, the Warriors prepare to head back on the road to face the seventh-seeded Neah Bay. The coach said Neah Bay is a perennial tough state contender, and ACH will have to prepare accordingly.
“You just have to go one game at a time and not get ahead of yourself,” he said.
With the competition only getting more intense going forward in the season, Grindy said he wants the Warriors to be prepared for more back-and-forth matchups like they experienced Saturday. In the state tournament, he said the team that can eliminate the most scoring runs and maintains positivity on the court will be who takes the state title.
Entering the state tournament always brings feelings of nervousness, but the coach said that, despite that, the whole team is feeling good. As the team moves forward into the final stretch of the postseason, they will utilize everything they’ve learned this season to make a run for the state championship.
“We share the weight, share the responsibility, and we’ll all go in and do it together,” said Grindy.
The coach said ACH has learned to play with its greatest strength; their strong team chemistry. The Warriors have built a strong bond over the years between both players and coaches and having that bond and strong trust in one another’s abilities is what will push this team forward in the tournament.
“I have two sons that are playing on the team and the guys that are playing with them have been going to school with them since they were little kids, and I’ve taught everybody on the basketball team as a teacher,” said Grindy. “It's pretty dang special and as a coach with (sons) playing, it’s a family.”
After a first-round bye, the Warriors head to Wenatchee High School on Saturday at 2 p.m. to face Neah Bay in the second round of the state tournament.
BOX SCORE
ACHW: 24-24-21-14: 83
DSLS: 22-9-23-14: 68
Nolan Grindy from the Warriors looks for an opening to make a play while under pressure from the DeSales’ defenders.
Josh Booker from ACH works quickly on his feet to go in for a layup during Saturday’s game against DeSales.
ACH's Max Grindy makes a push toward the net during the district championship game Saturday against Desales.
Caden Correia from the Warriors prepares to take a shot with an oncoming DeSales defender on the way.ARTICLES BY CALEB PEREZ
Sushik comes full circle ahead of first season at BBCC
MOSES LAKE — The next step in Liana Sushik’s athletic journey has led her to play for the Big Bend Community College Vikings volleyball team this fall after a successful career with the Soap Lake Eagles. Joining the Vikings is something she feels has deepened her love for the sport, she said. “I fell in love with the fact that there’s more than just high school volleyball; there’s another level,” said Sushik. “It’s like a whole new chapter and I’m so excited to see what I have next because there’s a lot that I’ve been through to get here.” Despite her success on the court, Sushik said she didn’t initially start out as an athlete.
Building a community at Desert City Fitness
EPHRATA — The city of Ephrata welcomed its newest athletic club earlier this summer with Desert City Fitness setting up along Basin Street. Since their grand opening June 6, the club has worked to become a strong contributor to the community in Ephrata. “We just opened our doors and whoever comes in, that’s how we do it,” said Bryan Boney, owner of Desert City Fitness. Boney, who owns the club alongside his wife Tracy Fillion, decided to open Desert City Fitness to keep himself active after retiring six years ago. Boney said he has invested all his money from retirement into purchasing the property, remodeling and getting the equipment necessary to open his fitness center.
Grid Kids expands opportunities this season
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Grid Kids football program is gearing up for the start of its 26th football season this fall. This year, alongside their tackle football program, the Grid Kids have expanded their flag football options. “It’s one of those things that you just don’t really know how well it’s going to go, but right now we’re looking pretty strong,” said Brian Gwinn, the Gird Kids administrator and communications contact. The tackle opportunities remain the same for third through sixth grade with third and fourth graders playing together and fifth and sixth graders separately from the younger players. The format for third and fourth grade will remain at a regular 11-man game, but for fifth and sixth grade there is consideration for moving down to an eight-on-eight format.