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.