Gar-Pal Boys, Sje Girls Tough To Beat

During the Whitman County League season, teams took two stabs apiece at the Garfield-Palouse boys and St. John-Endicott girls.

Those who hold to the third-time’s-a-charm adage hope their wishes are fulfilled during the Whitman County Tournament, which begins Friday at Endicott.

Still, 10th-ranked Gar-Pal (16-4) and top-ranked SJE (19-0) could prove hard to topple. Especially SJE, which won every league game by at least 17 points.

LaCrosse-Washtucna (14-6) gave Gar-Pal a run both times, most notably in Tuesday’s double-overtime thriller for the league title.

“I figured this would be a rebuilding year,” said Gar-Pal coach Tim Coles, unbeaten during the last three league seasons. “And it has been, in a sense, because we’re not anything like we could be.”

Coles announced at last year’s State B Tournament the stress of coaching might force him to retire. After the season, he reconsidered because of his players’ dedication and the chance to continue coaching his son, Logan.

The tourney continues through Monday. The top four boys and girls teams advance to the District 9 tourney at Walla Walla and Pullman.

Martinizing

Jessica Martin of Wilbur-Creston has become the team’s leading all-time scorer. Martin, set to play volleyball at Washington State, stands at 1,915 points as the third-ranked Wildcats prepare for Saturday’s Bi-County League Tournament.

Angie Bandy-Donahue, who led the Wildcats to the State B title game in 1991, scored 1,761 during her career.

Next time, try winning

Ryan Hansen of Cascade (Leavenworth) scored 57 points on Jan. 30 during a double-overtime loss to sixth-ranked Chelan.

Saints marched on

Both St. George’s teams wrapped up perfect Panorama League seasons last weekend. The two combined for a 30-0 record.

Then there was one

A potential boys State B title game between unbeaten teams faded last Friday when Mossyrock beat second-ranked Toutle Lake 55-54. Top-ranked Pateros (18-0) is the lone team that could reach state with a flawless record.

Wahoo, Wahluke

An obsessed reader wishes to point out the Wahluke boys are 12-4 overall. The Warriors have never played at the State B Tournament. Stay tuned.

Coleman lit it up

Morton senior Sarah Coleman led all State B girls in scoring, with 476 points in 20 games (23.8 ppg).

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN - Prep basketball notebook