The Bs

Bi-County: First place is on the line on the boys side this weekend, when Lind-Ritzville (8-0, 6-0) is home Friday against Valley Christian (7-3, 6-2) then travels to eighth-ranked Northwest Christian (9-0, 7-0) on Saturday. NWC has outscored teams by an average of 67.3-36.0 this season. The Crusaders are led by Josh Greer, averaging 16.3 points a game. … In girls play, third-ranked Almira/Coulee-Hartline (5-2, 4-1) is at Liberty (6-3, 6-2) on Friday and will battle for second place. Sophomore Kami Clark is averaging 14.7 points a game for the Warriors, with senior guard Michelle Balcom close behind at 14.4. The Lancers, 3-18 last season in 1A, are led by sophomore Shawn Hennessey at 13.9 ppg.

Panorama: Interdivision play continues this weekend, with the best boys matchup coming when South Division leader St. George’s (7-4, 6-0) makes the long road trip to North Division leader Republic (10-1, 6-0). Henry Butler is averaging 15.2 ppg for St. George’s and scored 34 Saturday night in a win at Northport. … On the girls side, North Division second-place Inchelium (9-3, 5-1) travels to Cusick (11-1, 6-0). The Panthers’ only loss came at 2A Lakeside, a nine-point loss. If Cusick gets through the week unscathed, that sets up a meeting with North Division leader Curlew (11-0, 6-0) on Jan. 22.

Whitman County: The Garfield-Palouse boys (7-3) are in a three-way tie for first with LaCrosse-Washtucna (7-2) and Tekoa-Oakesdale (9-1). All three teams have 3-1 league records. Friday night matchups include Asotin at L-W and Rosalia at T-O.

–J.D. Larson and Jessica Brown