1B Girls: Almira/Coulee-Hartline wins, earns shot at top-rated Colton

A year after falling in the girls 1B title game, the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors got this year’s state tournament started off on the right foot and earned a rematch with the Colton Wildcats – the same team ACH knocked out of last year’s tournament.

The Warriors used their defense to cruise to a 57-25 victory over the Taholah Chitwhins in Wednesday’s opener at the Arena. The Warriors outscored the Chitwhins 21-0 in the second quarter and 8-3 in the third.

ACH used the comfortable lead to rest its starters in the fourth quarter.

Warriors head coach Mike Correia said resting the starters helps in a state tournament that doesn’t give anybody a day off.

“If we have to play for four days, we have to save legs,” he said. “Being able to get other girls in was big for us tonight.”

Seven players scored to help ACH run away in the second quarter.

Taholah’s first basket after the first quarter didn’t come until the 3-minute, 56-second mark of the third quarter.

ACH used 11 players and 10 of them scored. Gabi Isaak led the way with 14 points, while Josie Pierce finished with 11.

The Warriors had a dominating 39-16 rebound advantage.

Denise Curleybear had 14 points to lead Taholah.

The rematch with Colton looms large. The Warriors ended top-rated Colton’s eight-year reign as 1B championship last year.

“We’re familiar with them because we’ve played them a bunch,” Correia said. “We know they’re a good team. We were able to get them last year, but I also know they’re probably looking for revenge.”

Last year’s title-game appearance reminded the Warriors how fun that can be. It’s been something the team has looked forward to all season.

“Our goal every year is to play on Saturday,” Correia said. “Whether that’s the championship game or for third and fifth or fourth and sixth, that’s our goal going forward.”

Selkirk 55 Yakama Nation Tribal 52 (OT): The Rangers outscored the Eagles 18-6 in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Gabi Rick led the way for Selkirk with 16 points. Bree Dawson and Whitney Dawson scored 14 and 11 points, respectively. Nayha Mills scored 20 points to lead Yakama Nation Tribal.

Selkirk faces fourth-ranked Sunnyside Christian Thursday at 3:45 p.m.

Mount Vernon Christian 53 Columbia Adventist 30: The Hurricanes got out to a 24-15 halftime lead and never looked back, as they comfortably beat the Kodiaks. The Hurricanes will play Neah Bay in Thursday’s quarterfinal at 7:15 p.m.

Josie Droog led the Hurricanes with 18 points and made four 3-pointers. The Kodiaks didn’t have any player in double figures. Taylor Boatright’s seven points led the way.

Entiat 46, Mt. Rainier Lutheran 33: The Tigers defeated the Hawks to reach the quarterfinals against second-seeded Pomeroy at 9 p.m. today.