Sports

TACOMA – Gonzaga Prep came into the State 4A tournament as an underdog, and perhaps overlooked, despite finishing second in the Greater Spokane League – losing only to 3A No. 1 Mead – then beating Chiawana, ranked No. 10 in the RPI, in the district second place game to reach state.

SEATTLE – Down three points in the final minute, the Washington men’s basketball team needed a defensive stop to give itself a chance.

Two key games in the last weekend of West Coast Conference play. Two contests in the Bay Area. Against the best and the third-best teams in the conference. Two Quad 1 opportunities. And two exceptional halves.

From staff reports

Facing a team it beat one week before, the Wellpinit boys basketball team knew the challenge ahead on Saturday night in the State 1B championship game.

It was a play the Napavine girls basketball team had put into its playbook midway in the season.

Every time the Columbia boys basketball team made a charge, Colfax had an answer Saturday afternoon.

Montana’s 80-57 win against Idaho on Saturday in Moscow, Idaho, was lopsided, but at key points in the second half, the Vandals had some opportunities to somewhat slow the Grizzlies.

There was one still moment in overtime when David Riley dared to take in the madness of the game playing out at Reese Court in front of him.

From staff reports

MORAGA, Calif. – Ryan Nembhard filtered through the options.

Whitworth had two looks to advance to the Sweet 16, but both shots came up short as the Pirates fell to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 69-67 in the second round of NCAA Division III Tournament in Thousand Oaks, California.

When Ty Smith was swapped along with a third-round pick for fellow defenseman John Marino in the summer of 2022, the left-shot defenseman said he never envisioned playing in the American Hockey League.

TACOMA – It wasn’t the trophy they hoped to be playing for, but third place in the state is still a nice reward for a terrific season.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Not sure we were ready for the view outside the window this morning. A perfect tableau … for Dec. 25. Snow more than an inch deep. Stuck on trees. Car windows. Light poles. We look forward to days like this around the holidays but not on the second of March. We guess it’s good the basketball schedule at every level is so deep.

INDIANAPOLIS – For a moment Friday, maybe the most prolific offensive football player in University of Washington’s history was forced to play some defense.

For nearly half a quarter, the State 2B showdown between unbeaten teams was knotted up.

From staff reports