Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

State B memories

View a photo gallery chronicling the hard work, diligence, heartbreak and celebration that shaped the State B Tournament through the years.

Holding a championship trophy while the players celebrated became a habit for St. John coach Bill Hays. The St. John Eagles won their fifth title in 1969.

Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review


Brewster’s Roger Boesel tussles for the ball with a player from Toutle Lake in 1975. The Bears fought hard to protect their 82-game win streak.

Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review


When Dick Olson talked, his players listened to the tune of 82 straight wins and three straight state championships. Photo taken in 1975.

Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review


La Center’s Jerry Cole, left, can only watch as Dale Smith of Brewster leaps to score again. Dale Smith was Brewster’s big gun, laying in two of his then all-time B tournment-leading 328 points. Photo taken in 1977.

Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review


Ritzville fans erupt into cheers in 1977 during the State B Tournament at the Coliseum.

Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review


Oakesdale’s Renee Brown goes up for the lay-up against Inchelium in 1979 at Whitworth.

Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review


Coulee-Hartline won the 1979 title with current NC coach, Jay Webber (12), a starting guard, with his all-state identical twin brother, Jon Webber (20). Jay later coached Dayton to the 1995 title.

Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review


Hall of Fame coach, Roy Graffis, talks to the Columbia High School girls team at the State B Tournament in 1986.

Photo Archive The Spokesman-Review


When Tekoa-Oakesdale began celebrating the right to be the Southeast B’s representative to state in 1991, it was hard on Coach Ron Cox.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review


St. John-Endicott coach Phil Hergert, his team and Eagle fans enjoy the thrill of victory over Hunters during the 1988 State B Tournament in the Spokane Coliseum.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


The Davenport Gorillas, under coach Jim Stinson, charge the Spokane Coliseum floor after beating St. George’s 67-55 in the 1993 State B finals.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


Mike Gembala flashes the number one sign as he hugs Dayton head coach Jay Webber. The Dayton Bulldogs won the State B championship in the Spokane Coliseum in 1995.

Christopher Anderson The Spokesman-Review


St. John-Endicott Eagles celebrate their win over the Waterville Shockers to advance to the the championship game against Sunnyside Christian in 1996.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review


Borin Lach (22) of Chief Leschi goes full horizontal to deflect a pass and battle Grant Bafus of St. John for control during their Friday night, March 6, 1998, State B Tournament game. Chief Leschi got to most of the loose balls and beat St. John handily to advance to the title game.

Christopher Anderson The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


Colfax’s Rachel Johnson (22) celebrates the State 2B girls Basketball Championship with her coach’s son, Cole Baerlocher, after the Bulldogs beat Napavine in the Spokane Arena in 2009.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review


Northwest Christian’s Chase Ramey lofts the State 2B Championship Trophy and celebrates with his teammates after defeating Davenport 54-39 on March 7, 2009, in the Spokane Arena.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review


Pe Ell teammates rush to congratulate Hank Robinson (41) after he made a buzzer-beater to defeat White Swan on March 4, 2010, at the WIAA State 2B Basketball Championships in the Spokane Arena.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


Almira/Coulee-Hartline’s Derek Issak finds himself in a tight spot against Sunnyside’s Steven Bosma and Trevor Wagenaar,right, March 4, 2011, in the Spokane Arena.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


Almira/Coulee-Hartline’s Miranda Porterfield, facing forward, tries to wrestle a ball from the grip of Colton’s Mollie Kramer in the girls 1B state finals game on Saturday, March 5, 2011, at the Spokane Arena.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


Reardan’s Savanah Ward (5) screams and falls to the floor along with Charlene Grey (20), left, and Bailey Wiedman (21) after their 55-42 win against Toutle Lake in the WIAA 2B game at Spokane Arena on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


North West Christian’s Cole Ramey (3) signals to the crowd after the win against Napavine during the WIAA 2B game at the Spokane Arena on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


Brewster’s Hanna Bayha leaves the bench at the closing buzzer to celebrate a narrow overtime victory over White Swan in the 1B girls state basketball tournament, Friday, March 2, 2012, at the Spokane Arena.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


ACH’s Derek Isaak and Mike Evans jump for joy at the final buzzer after beating Valley Christian in their 1B Boys championship game in the Spokane Arena, Saturday, March 3, 2012.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


The Colton Wildcats’ Savannah Chadwick, facing, hugs Kaden Dahmen after the 1B girls state championship game Saturday, Mar. 2, 2013 at the Spokane Arena. Colton beat Sunnyside 55-40. The WIAA 1B/2B Hardwood Classic wrapped up Saturday night in Spokane.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo


St. George’s Erik Muelheims dives for the ball against Colfax’ Brady Ellis during the second half of the 2013 Washington State B boys state final basketball game on Saturday, March 2, 2013, at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Spokane, Wash. St. George’s won the game 50-28.

Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo

Share on Social Media

Recently in Picture story