Eastern 4A Regional At A Glance

Boys

Walla Walla (15-7) vs. Ferris (19-3), GU, 7:30 p.m.: A rematch of last year’s state title game, won by Walla Walla 55-39. The Blue Devils have four players from that team, which also lost to the Saxons big in the regional semis, but only Thomas Kelati, who averages 9.0 a game, played much. Leading the way for coach Jim Thacker, in his 24th year, are second-team Big Nine picks Kelati, a 6-5 junior, and Patt McMcConn, a 6-0 senior, who averages 13.6. The other double-figure scorer is honorable mention Bryan Erlebach, a 6-0 senior, at 11.4.

Kamiakin (16-7) vs. Gonzaga Prep (20-2), EWU, 6 p.m.: The Braves have the only non-Yakima player on the All-Big Nine first team in 6-2 senior Chris Bullock, who averaged 13.3 points. Also in double figures are second-team pick Eric Patrick, 6-5 junior, at 11.0, and 6-3 senior Kevin Wyatt at 10.4. The Braves, coached by Don Schumacher, in his 21st year, won their last five games during the regular season and led Davis at halftime of their regional semi before losing. The Braves won at Walla Walla, not an easy place to win, for the third seed with Patrick sitting out to rest an ankle injury.

East Valley (14-9) vs. Eisenhower (15-7), Yakima Sun Dome, 6 p.m.: The Cadets are coached by Chuck White, in his first year from Alaska, where he coached Duke freshman sensation Carlos Boozer. The Cadets won six of last seven to finish second, first time since 1965 the Yakima schools went 1-2 in the Big Nine. Michael Bushmaker, 6-7 junior, 14.3 ppg, and Dustin Bremerman, 6-3 junior, 12.9 ppg, made first-team All-Big Nine and Brock McKenzie, 6-3 senior, 11.6 ppg, made second team. The Cadets have been without 6-3 post Jason Chase with an injured finger for the past five games.

Shadle Park (17-6) vs. Davis (22-1), Yakima Sun Dome, 7:30 p.m.: The second-ranked Pirates had the Big Nine’s top two scorers in MVP Taylor Stubblefield and first-teamer Josh Williams. Stubblefield, a 6-1 guard headed to Purdue to play football, averaged 20 points and Williams, a 6-8 junior, averaged 17.7. Jabari Riggins, a 6-0 senior transfer from Kent-Meridian, averaged 12.3 and made first team. Davis, led by fourth-year coach Lester “Shag” Williams, won their first Big Nine title since 1983.

Girls

Mead (16-6) vs. Kennewick (22-0), Pasco HS, 7:30 p.m.: Third-straight regional meeting. Two years ago, Lions were a fourth seed and upset the Panthers, propelling them to their one and only state appearance. The second-ranked Lions, coached by Debbie Roueche, in her fourth year, are led by league MVP Heather Thoelke. A 6-footer, who has signed with EWU, average 12.6 ppg. On the first team are leading scorer Emily Faurholt, a 5-11 junior at 16.5 ppg, and 5-3 freshman point guard Leilani Mitchell, who averages 9.8. Mitchell is compared to former Mead star Stacy Clinesmith for her quickness and court savvy. Autumn Fielding, a 5-8 sophomore, averages 10.8 and made the second team and Heidi Mensinger, a 5-11 junior, averaged 10.0.

Central Valley (17-7) vs. Richland (17-6), Pasco HS, 6 p.m.: This is a third-straight first-round meeting. The winner - Bombers two years ago at Pasco, Bears last year - won regional. The balanced Bombers, under second-year coach Bruce Wallace, are led by Lindsay May, a 5-10 junior, at 10.7; Bethany Such, a 5-5 junior, at 10.6; and Kara Piippo, a 5-8 senior, 10.0. Piippo was on Big Nine second team, May and Such honorable mention.

Pasco (14-9) vs. Shadle Park (13-10) at EWU, 7:30 p.m.: The Bulldogs have the No. 2 scorer in 5-9 junior first-team pick Brooke Lanning, at 17.2 points a game. Coach Ronny Coleman, in his seventh year, uses five freshmen, led by 5-6 guard Emily Halliday, who averages 9.0 points, and 5-7 Shelby Ramirez.

Southridge (10-13) vs. University (19-5), GU, 6 p.m.: The Suns are in their third year, all under coach Darlene Harris. To get to this point, the sixth seeds had to beat Kamiakin for the first time ever, knocking the Braves out of the regional for only the second time ever (1991 was the other). Second-teamer Vanessa Coon, a 6-1 senior, leads the way at 12.5 ppg. Bria Skorpik, a 5-6 junior, adds 9.7.