State B 2007 Stories: Spokesmanreview.com

Trio for Tigers

TACOMA � Lewis and Clark's girls basketball team had no one average double figures in scoring or rebounding during its four-day stay at the State 4A tournament.

La Salle caps perfect season

La Salle's pursuit of a perfect season ended in the best way possible on Saturday night � with a state championship at the State 2B girls basketball tournament.

B Boys game capsules

Bear Creek 60, Wellpinit 52 ( Read the full story )

B Girls game capsules

Shoreline Chr. 47, Tac. Baptist 38 ( Read the full story )

La Salle advances to state title game

The La Salle girls basketball team has become accustomed to playing for a state championship, seeing as how they've made it to the finals of the State 2B tournament the past two years.

John Blanchette: With Bs, author can come home again

If Spokane has discovered anything in hosting little school tournament basketball for 51 years, it's that there are no loose threads � whether the event is the B, the 2B or not to be quite the same ever again.

NWC boys go for 3rd in row

The undefeated and the defending champion will collide tonight as the Toutle Lake Ducks look to punctuate their perfect season with a championship and the Northwest Christian Crusaders vie for a third consecutive state crown.

State B boys capsules

Wellpinit 54, NWC (Lacey) 46 ( Read the full story )

State B girls capsules

Tac. Baptist 52, Pomeroy 45 ( Read the full story )

State 2B: Sharing more than stories

The stories, no matter how often told or precise the details, can't duplicate the experience.

NWC moves to semifinals by lashing Loggers

The Northwest Christian boys are well on their way in their quest for their third straight state title.

Moody too much for the Dragons

The St. George's girls basketball team knew if it was to defeat White Pass in the quarterfinals of the State 2B tournament Thursday, then Breanna Moody would need to be controlled.

State B boys capsules

For Friday, February 29, 2008.

State B girls capsules

For Friday, February 29, 2008.

Kellerman's Brave world

The spotlight from the NCAA men's basketball tournament has nothing on the bright lights from a high school state tournament.

Riverside Christian mom relishes this trip to state

Basketball, we've been told, is not brain surgery.The fan part of basketball, well, that can be another thing altogether.

Getting in groove

Lind-Ritzville got an early scare from the Seattle Lutheran Saints Wednesday night in a first-round State 2B tournament game at the Spokane Arena.

Benson's play inspires Wahkiakum past Dragons

As Wahkiakum senior Kyle Benson stepped up to the free-throw line at the end of the first quarter, he thought he wasn't going to make the shots.

B Boys game capsules

For Thursday, February 28, 2008.

B Girls game capsules

For Thursday, February 28, 2008.

Fletchers, Lancers mesh

Even if it was as simple as a son following in his father's footsteps, the coaching staff for the Liberty girls at the State 2B basketball tournament would be interesting.

NWC boys have title in sights

Last March the Northwest Christian boys basketball team made history when it won its second straight state title � becoming the last true State B champions in 2006 and winning the inaugural State 2B tournament in 2007.

WIAA State 2B basketball

For Wednesday, February 27, 2008.

NWC boys, Lind-Ritzville girls win regionals

The Northwest Christian boys basketball team continued its quest toward a third consecutive state title in winning fashion on Saturday.

Dragons boys, girls to state

St. George's doubled its pleasure in the Eastern 2B Bi-District playoffs Monday night, qualifying both its boys and girls teams for the State 2B tournament in Spokane beginning Feb. 27.

Northwest Christian boys take another step

Northwest Christian continued its drive for a third consecutive state championship Saturday as it knocked off the St. George's Dragons 59-48 in the District 7 2B playoffs at Spokane Falls Community College.

Broncos turn aside Liberty

Lind-Ritzville's Katlin Fowles wouldn't let Liberty pull off another thrilling victory in the District 7 2B tournament at Spokane Falls Community College.

St. George's, NWC regional bound

St. George's and Northwest Christian advanced to the regional tournament with District 7 2B victories Thursday at Spokane Falls Community College.

NW Christian tops Liberty

Hayley Hendricksen scored 19 points and Brianna Bailey added 12 to lead Northwest Christian to a 56-51 win over Liberty in the first round of the District 7 2B tournament Tuesday at Spokane Falls Community College.

NWC tastes best of old, new

They are now the final true State B champions and the first State 2B champions. Once again, they did it with their bread-and-butter defense.

Vikings strike last

Lightning almost struck twice at the Arena for the second year in a row, but Lexi Belcher wasn't going to allow it to happen.

State B girls recap

For Sunday, March 04, 2007.

State B boys recap

For Sunday, March 04, 2007.

Crusaders on task

It wasn't pretty, but it was enough � for Northwest Christian, anyway.The Crusaders of Colbert are bound for the state title game again after defeating Darrington 48-39 in the late semifinal Friday night at the boys State 2B basketball tournament at the Arena.

La Salle, Mossyrock will meet in final

After months of blood, sweat and tears, the girls State 2B basketball tournament championship game is set.

State B Boys: Day 3 recap

For Saturday, March 03, 2007.

State B Girls: Day 3 recap

For Saturday, March 03, 2007.

Reserve strength

When a team's top three scorers are held to less than their season averages, winning isn't the likely outcome.

Republic, redux

Republic overcame 22-for-73 (30 percent) shooting from the field and pulled away in the fourth quarter to take down the St. George's 58-44.

State 2B boys: Day 2 recap

Napavine's Blake Anthony wasn't about to let this game slip through his hands.

State 2B girls: Day 2 recap

For Friday, March 02, 2007.

Slam-dunk start

The Northwest Christian and Republic boys have taken their first step toward a state title game rematch.

Vikings survive

In 2005, Mossyrock's then-sophomore Lexi Belcher scored 32 points on a 9-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc in a state tournament game, as the Vikings defeated Garfield-Palouse.

Girls: Day 1 recap

Reardan 51, North Beach 31 ( Read the full story )

Boys: Day 1 recap

Junior Chris Pynch and senior Ryan Van Beek finished with 14 points apiece as the Crusaders blew off an early Napavine lead to win their tournament opener.

Tigers' final tale

Not long ago, a parent brought out an old photograph of Derek Gianukakis' sixth-grade AAU championship basketball team.

Brackets are set for Wednesday, get ready for State B, part two

The brackets have been posted and it's officially time for state B, part two.It's sure going to seem strange without the Whitman County schools in Spokane for this week's state 2B tournament, which begins Wednesday at the Arena.

Lightning bolt to title

The distance between the two end lines on a basketball court at the Arena is 94 feet. That's exactly how far La Salle head coach Todd Kent's girls pressure the opposing offense, but that 94 feet starts to seem much longer if the offense can't break through easily.

Defense dazzles

He acknowledged the clich�, but Northwest Christian's Karl Richardson added a team-specific twist. "Defense wins championships," he said after NWC beat Republic 54-48 in the boys State B basketball championship at the Arena.

Toutle hangs tough

There's a theory that fifth place might be the second-toughest trophy to get besides first, because it takes winning three straight loser-out games while dealing with the disappointment of that first-round loss.

Sollars remains sold on State B

The sight of Gonzaga's Derek Raivio and David Pendergraft signing autographs at the Arena this weekend was happy proof that, yes, this town was big enough for both the State B and the West Coast Conference Tournament.

Sprague-Harrington finishes strong

Sprague-Harrington's top-ranked girls basketball team had rebounded well from its first-round loss to Sunnyside Christian with a pair of routs in consolation play, poised to take fifth place in Saturday's matchup with Toutle Lake.

Tournament leaders

NWC just gets it done

There wasn't much aesthetically pleasing about Northwest Christian's physical 35-31 semifinal win over Moses Lake Christian. All notions of basketball beauty aside, you can't help but be impressed with the way NWC's ground its way into the championship game without shooting better than 37 percent once in three games.

La Salle outlasts Mossyrock

Mossyrock head coach Gary Stamper knew he was in for a physical game when his Vikings lined up to play La Salle for the second straight year in the State B tournament.

What a kick!

It wasn't how anyone wants it to end, walking off the court with a loss in their final game. For Wilbur-Creston head coach Tom Johnson, his final game came much later than anyone could have expected.

Gianukakis wills team into B final

As they went into the fourth quarter, Morton appeared just a couple of baskets away from being in position to pull a huge semifinal upset.

Younger Gianukakis breaks loose

On Thursday, Republic missed a handful of free throws down the stretch and had to sweat out a victory. On Friday, Derek Gianukakis made sure the Tigers would have nothing to worry about.

No state experience needed

Many teams participating in the girls State B Basketball Tournament have recent experience at the state level. This is not the case for St.

NWC clamps down

Although they were threatening post-peach basket records for scoring futility, it wasn't because Sunnyside Christian and Northwest Christian were playing poorly offensively. The defense was just that good.

Eagles fly past Waterville

Many teams participating in the girls State B Basketball Tournament have recent experience at the state level to rely on when trying to pick up a win.

Hustling McGree leads La Salle into semifinals

When two rivals square off as many times as La Salle and Sunnyside Christian's girls basketball teams, players and coaches alike know what to expect.

WIAA's Colbrese public face at B's on reclassification

Most people don't understand how the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association really works. In a lot of ways, it is democracy in action. The WIAA is an association of member schools.

Coach challenges team, SJE bounces back

It was an important point to make, one that occasionally gets lost in points and wins and losses. After St. John-Endicott head coach Mike Tollett watched his team lose a heartbreaking first-round game on a blown 3-point call at the buzzer, he gathered his team in the locker room.

Arena display tells story of the B

The week of the B Tournament is an unofficial holiday at many of our state's smaller high schools. But, concerned as we are with the education of our youth, we don't think they should get away without at least one assignment.

Knights are headliners

Sunnyside Christian had a nothing-to-lose mentality heading into Wednesday's first-round State B basketball game against undefeated and top-ranked Sprague-Harrington at the Spokane Arena. "We had two choices," junior guard Tori Van Wingerden said, "we could either roll over and die, say we were supposed to lose, or we could just work hard and try to make headlines."

Richardson rescues Crusaders

It was nearly a carbon copy of last year's semifinals � same teams, same intensity � and Northwest Christian center Karl Richardson was again limited to one solid half of basketball because of foul trouble.

Tigers topple Toutle Lake

In the end, it was just about survival. Riding the top-10 performance of Zach Gianukakis, Republic overcame a late Toutle Lake rally and free-throw woes � the Tigers made just 3 of 12 free throws down the stretch � to knock off the Ducks 66-56 in the first round of the boys State B Tournament Wednesday at the Spokane Arena.

Standouts play beyond their years

Youth was served during the opening round of the girls State B basketball tournament, as a group of underclassmen led their respective teams to victory during Wednesday's early session at the Arena.

Tekoa's triple threat

It's a good thing Tekoa-Oakesdale doesn't put last names on the backs of their jerseys. People might get confused. As the announcer read the names of the Nighthawks starting lineup during Wednesday's matchup against Lummi, he introduced Austin, Casey and Kelly Cook � all brothers, all starters, and all of them hoping to bring a bit of glory back to their small farm town in the Palouse. ( Read the full story )

State B: Boys at a glance

State B: Girls at a glance

Tradition

If this is the last State B Tournament � and it is, in feel if not fact � then it's something of a comfort to know there's a Bannish in it.

'A team' hospitality

Scott Middleton knows that teenagers, basketball and pizza are a winning combination. As general manager of Centerplate,the concession company for the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, Middleton helped create a menu for the 36,000 people expected to attend the State B basketball championships this week.

Coplen caps 60 years

It's safe to say Hank Coplen knows his way around the State B tournament. Sixty years after getting his start as a scorekeeper, P. A.

'I knew I had found my destiny'

Before there was Jennifer Stinson, before there was Lance Den Boer, before there was equality for girls high school basketball, there was Tammy Tibbles. Her Creston teams battled Aileen McManus' Reardan teams in the State B title game three consecutive years from 1981 to '83.

Ten girls to watch

Ten boys to watch

Girls previews

Boys previews

State B Tournament champions

Changes made to B draws

Changes were made in the brackets for the State B tournament after the first draw. This was "to better reflect the draw criteria," said Darin Hanson, WIAA director of marketing and media relations.

State B: It only gets tougher

After Sunday morning's final State B draw, it became apparent the only real benefit to winning a district championship is the chance to cut down nets.

GSL coaches have no complaints about draw

There were no complaints about the draw by coaches of three Greater Spokane League 3A state basketball qualifiers, other than its 4 p.m. scheduled time.

Final B girls draw has familiar look

The draw for any state basketball tournament is a lot like Thanksgiving at Gramma's house. Most are there just to catch up with people they haven't seen in a while before moving on to gorging themselves on the main course.

Warriors happy to be back

Almira/Coulee-Hartline head coach Mike Correia was fighting back tears Friday night. After watching his Warriors earn a berth in the State B finals, it wasn't hard to see why.

Cusick clicks in semifinal

The smile said it all. With 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Cusick coach J. R. Bluff pulled most of his starters, including daughter Kim, a senior forward.

Sunnyside Christian in finals

Sunnyside Christian, quite frankly, would love if you were bored watching them. The Knights squeeze every second out of every possession until an opening appears, at which point SC attacks relentlessly.

Rivalry gains more heat at State B

It may not have been the game between the best boys teams, but it was clearly one of the best games of this year's State B tournament: Neah Bay 58, Clallam Bay 57 in overtime.

Cusick basketball player overcoming odds as parent

At every game she plays during the State B basketball tournament, Taunie Cullooyah looks to the bleachers and checks up on a fan of hers.

Baugher comes up big as Vikings earn shot at title

It's easy to spot the difference between a good Willapa Valley team and a championship one. After all, he's 6-foot-11. Valley big man Zach Baugher missed most of the first 18 minutes Friday because of foul trouble, but returned to spark a 17-2 run as the Vikings pulled away from Northwest Christian for a 55-39 win in a State B tournament semifinal at the Spokane Arena.

Honoring Mitch

They can't be seen from the stands but every member of the Sprague-Harrington girls basketball team has a bead in the laces of one shoe with a M and C on the other shoe.

Curlew bottles up Lightning for win

There's an old saying that good things come to those who wait. For the Curlew girls basketball team, 27 years for a State B trophy was quite long enough.

Vikings find clear sailing to semifinal

After a pair of games at this year's tournament, Willapa Valley has made a habit out of two things: starting off slowly and winning. One day after overcoming a halftime deficit in an opening-round win over LaCrosse-Washtucna, the Vikings (26-0) overcame another sluggish start in a 57-36 victory over Selkirk in a State B boys basketball tournament quarterfinal at the Arena.

By any name, King's West impressive in its first State B

A first appearance at the State B boys tournament was a long time coming for Rick Walker and the King's West Warriors. The school, previously Bremerton Christian until 1991, took the next step by earning a berth in tonight's semifinals with a 48-45 win over Lind-Ritzville at the Arena.

Seniors ensure Cusick will get first girls trophy

The image isn't one anyone from Cusick will forget any time soon. With 1:01 left in the fourth quarter, Panthers guard Misty Ostlie tripped and rolled into Mossyrock's Lexi Belcher.

Belcher 'trey' magnifique

Lexi Belcher almost set the State B record for team 3-pointers in a game � by herself. And it nearly wasn't enough. Belcher, a sophomore, was 9 of 12 from behind the arc, setting the State B record for most 3-pointers by one player in a game, and finished with 32 points as Mossyrock eked past Garfield-Palouse 53-51 in a battle of Vikings Wednesday at the Spokane Arena.

Following family tradition

Amanda Grumbach's debut at the State B girls basketball tournament wasn't too shabby � but that should have been expected. The Curlew sophomore showed as much poise as her famous cousins Zach and Derek Gianukakis did last year at the Arena in helping Republic win the boys title.

Sunnyside defeats Toutle Lake

In the second half of Sunnyside Christian's girls State B first-round game against Toutle Lake, there wasn't really a question whether the Knights would outscore their opposition.

Let's just call it: 'No team left behind'

News item, March 2005: The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association readies to vote on a proposal that would, in effect, split its current Class B schools into two different classifications, B and C, and establish a new state tournament for schools with enrollments less than 87, give or take a dropout.

Willapa Valley avoids rude awakening in early morning test

Sometimes a powerhouse team needs a wake-up call. This can come in the form of a loss late in the regular season. But at the state tournament, it doesn't have this luxury.

girls at a glance

9 a. m. Evergreen Lutheran vs. DeSales10:30 a. m. Toutle Lake vs. King's West12:30 p. m. Garfield-Palouse vs. Darrington2 p. m. Raymond vs.

Boys at a glance

9 a. m. LaCrosse-Washtucna vs. Neah Bay10:30 a. m. Clallam Bay vs. Pateros12:30 p. m. Riverside Christian vs. Toutle Lake2 p. m.

The Bs

Bi-County: The girls will determine the basketball league champion Friday in Hartline. Eighth-ranked Sprague-Harrington (15-2, 14-1) comes in to face Almira/Coulee-Hartline (15-2, 14-1). The Falcons drilled ACH by 22 in early January.