West Valley in a good spot
Two years ago West Valley qualified for state in baseball as the third regional seed. The Eagles were third again last year, losing 2-1 to East Valley, but only two teams advanced to the 3A tournament.
This year, the odds are in the Eagles favor. They are a veteran team, the region has three state berths again and bulk of the tournament is in Spokane.
The 3A Region field is identical to last year. All three GSL teams, district champion WV, North Central (10-9) and East Valley (8-10) are back, in the same order.
Mid-Valley entrants, state-qualifier West Valley-Yakima, Selah, Ellensburg and Sunnyside provided last year’s opposition and are joined by Hanford.
WV’s opponent, Selah, is junior, sophomore and freshman dominated said Eagles coach Don O’Neal. If the Eagles defense holds up, he likes his team’s chances.
“It’s not like two years ago when Selah was 25-0 and we had to play our best game to have a chance,” he said. “I feel right now that if we play well we’re in good shape.”
The Indians last year lost to the Rams in their tourney opener year 8-1. Part of it, said coach Scott Harmon, was unfamiliarity with travel. But, he admitted, “We got our lunch handed to us. They are well disciplined and run a tight ship. I think we’re a better team in general than last year.”
Both West Valleys, said Harmon, are mirror teams, senior heavy with high expectations. O’Neal, whose Eagles lost to the Rams in the past two regions, didn’t disagree.
“We’ve kind of grown together,” he said. “They were a little older the first year we faced them. They still have a good nucleus back.”
The Knights, who won four straight loser-out games to reach state last year, open against Ellensburg, who they beat last year 10-0.
Tourney will conclude Saturday at Spokane Falls Community College and Shadle Park.
Today’s games assure a state berth, but as EV proved last year being in a loser-out situation isn’t necessarily bad. And having three berths to state this year obviously doesn’t hurt.
Regional soccer: Victories by four GSL soccer teams tonight, particularly by Ferris and North Central, would certainly simplify playoff travel.
The Saxons, already assured a State 4A berth, would avoid a likely mid-week trip across the Cascades with a win. And if Mead beats Pasco to qualify for state, they’d stay in Spokane against Ferris in the first round.
The Indians would host on Saturday for the third 3A state berth if they win their match in Yakima. And if EV also wins, the GSL would be assured two state qualifiers. Cheney with its win last Saturday, is already in.
District 8 4A baseball: Wednesday’s first round in the Greater Spokane League district playoffs means the difference between elimination and double-elimination,
The winners between No. 3 Mt. Spokane vs. No. 6 Gonzaga Prep and No. 4 Mead against No. 5 Lewis and Clark advance to the four-team double-elimination portion against Ferris and University Friday and Saturday. Season is over for the losers.