Operative Number Here Is 10

The top boys winning streak in the area grew to 10 last Saturday when 10th-ranked Republic (13-2) ended Selkirk’s 10-game streak with a 51-47 Panorama League decision.

Republic trailed by 12 points early in the third quarter when coach Rory Rickard called timeout. Rickard changed defenses, although he would rather not elaborate on the specifics. The Tigers responded with a 15-0 spree.

“It mostly had to do with the intensity of the kids anyway,” Rickard said.

Republic, which last competed at the State B Tournament in 1986, started three juniors and two sophomores against Selkirk (12-3). Rickard said three other good players, who would have been with this group, moved from town after mine closures.

The Tigers’ losses are to St. George’s (13-2, 11-0) and Oroville.

“Those are good teams, and we could have just as easily won as lost,” Rickard said.

Leading the Tigers are juniors Jason Baldwin (23 ppg) and Mark Rickard (19.0). Baldwin has twice scored more than 35 points in a game. When Baldwin recently missed a game, Rickard stepped up and scored 34.

Elite club

Naselle boys basketball coach Lyle Patterson won his 600th career game on Monday, 62-44 over North Beach.

Patterson’s Comets (11-5 this year) have qualified for the State B Tournament 31 times. Naselle has earned 19 trophies at state, including five as runner-up. The Comets, who last made the final in 1992, have never won the title.

Welcome back

Junior Bill Graffis has returned to Oakesdale and the Tekoa-Oakesdale basketball team after spending part of the school year in Lewiston.

Graffis was projected to be the Nighthawks’ starting quarterback, but father Kevin accepted an administrative position with the Lewiston School District.

The family’s house in Lewiston developed a leaky roof, allowing the Graffises to dissolve their lease. Part of the family, including Bill, moved back to Oakesdale.

, DataTimes