B Boys A 1998 Flashback

Those who show up late for opening games of the 56th boys State B tournament might think they never left the 55th tournament.

Wednesday night’s schedule is laden with teams that placed in the top eight at the 1998 tourney.

One matchup, Valley Christian vs. Darrington, is a repeat of last year’s opening-rounder. Valley Christian won that game and ultimately placed second. Darrington fought back at the tourney to place eighth.

Night games begin at 5 with defending state champ Chief Leschi (15-11) against Liberty (17-9). The 6:30 game matches St. JohnEndicott (22-3), third last year, and Pe Ell (20-3). The DarringtonValley Christian game, at 8, will complete opening-round play.

Coaches and fans who attended Sunday morning’s draw at the Ridpath Hotel agreed the upper half of the bracket was the place to be.

Odessa (18-6) is the only returning placer among the teams in the first four games. The Tigers, fifth place last year, kick off the tourney at 9 a.m. against first-timer Evergreen Lutheran (22-3). Evergreen Lutheran, of Des Moines, is the only new team in the field.

Other openers are: Orcas (14-8) vs. Sunnyside Christian (21-1), 10:30 a.m.; Naselle (16-7) vs. Mount Vernon Christian (17-6), noon; Pateros (16-9) vs. LaCrosse-Washtucna (18-5), 1:30 p.m.; and Willapa Valley (16-10) vs. Waterville (21-2), 3:30.

Liberty coach David Baird said an opener with the defending champs suited him fine. Chief Leschi is noted for its quickness and razzledazzle.

“It sounds like we’ll match up all right with their quickness,” Baird said. “We should be fine if we can keep the tempo what we like, and not let it get too up-tempo.”

“It’s going to be a challenge for us because we’ll be one of the smallest teams,” said Chief Leschi coach Michael Bradley. “But it’s been that way all year.”

Liberty and Chief Leschi are both moving up to Class 1A next year. Liberty is making its 15th trip to state.

Both District 9 entries, LaCrosse-Washtucna and St. John-Endicott, drew teams that played at state in ‘98.

L-W meets ‘96 champion Pateros, which set tourney records last year with its 96 points and 62.5-percent field-goal shooting in a game against Pe Ell.

L-W is making its second state appearance. The Tigercats placed eighth two years ago, with six of their current players on the roster.

“It’s such a competitive group of boys, they’re going to go out and fight,” said first-year Tigercats coach Brian Koller.

SJE was knocked off its perch a bit by Friday’s district loss to the Tigercats. But the Eagles are much the same team that made last year’s semifinals.

“Last year, late in the season we got on a roll,” said SJE coach Darrell Miller. “We were just happy to be there. This year was a little bit different because we were supposed to be here.”

SJE opens with District 4 champion Pe Ell. The Trojans were a young team last year when they gave up tourney records to Pateros.

Naselle, under second-year coach Ryan Bjornsgaard, has qualified for its 32nd tournament. The 32 appearances ties Reardan for the record. Reardan returns to Class B next year after two years at the 1A level.

Darrington is in its 18th tournament. The Loggers are also set to move up to 1A next year.