Perhaps Rogers’ big win wasn’t such an upset

It’s way too early to start speculating about a possible state berth, but the Rogers boys basketball team certainly should revel in its accomplishment Tuesday.

The fourth-seeded Pirates took to the road, knocking off the Mid-Columbia Conference’s No. 1-seeded 3A team, Kamiakin, 56-49.

Rogers (5-16) returns to the Tri-Cities on Friday for another loser-out game when it takes on second-seeded Hanford (16-5). Tipoff is at 7.

Less than 30 minutes after Rogers’ win Tuesday, a Pirates graduate sent this text to The Spokesman-Review: “Flashback to 1995 4-seeded Rogers went to #1 Richland and upset the Bombers as well.”

Senior guard Amaujae Daniels made four 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 23 points.

“There’s no fear in that kid,” Rogers coach Tim Wood told a Tri-City Herald reporter. “When he plays like that, he’s as good as anybody on the east side of the state.”

This much is true: Rogers is much better than its record shows. In six losses, the Pirates led at halftime and in another they were tied. It’s obvious they’ve had difficulty at times finishing games.

“We feel like we could be .500 or better,” Wood said. “If we finish and value the basketball we could have been right there. Unfortunately we are who we are. (Tuesday) we went out and won the game instead of playing not to lose.”

The Rogers/Hanford winner turns around and plays the University/Shadle Park loser on Saturday for a state berth. Shadle (12-9) and University (14-7) square off to decide a state berth Friday at U-Hi. Tipoff is at 8.

• Overall, it was a good night for Greater Spokane League 3A boys and girls teams Tuesday as they won five of eight games.

The U-Hi (12-9) and Kamiakin (16-5) girls meet Friday at Kamiakin to determine a state berth. Tipoff is at 7.

In a loser-out game, Kennewick (9-12), which upset top-seeded Mt. Spokane, visits Shadle (12-9) at 6. The Shadle/Kennewick winner faces the U-Hi/Kamiakin loser on Saturday for a state berth.

• In 4A subregional games Friday that will decide state berths, Mead’s girls (20-1), ranked No. 1 in the state, travel to Pasco to meet Chiawana (16-6) and Central Valley’s boys (20-1) visit Richland (17-4). Both games are at 7.

Mead is heavily favored against Chiawana, which dropped nonleague games to Ferris and CV. It’s a rematch for the CV and Richland boys. CV handled visiting Richland 68-44 in late December.

In elimination games Friday, the Gonzaga Prep boys (16-6) and girls (19-3) travel to Walla Walla for a doubleheader. The girls game is at 5:30 with the boys following at 7:15.

• The 5A Region I boys tournament begins Friday with a doubleheader at Inland Empire League champ Lake City.

Third-seeded Coeur d’Alene (12-8) faces No. 2 Lewiston (6-14) in the opener at 5:30 with No. 1 Lake City (15-5) taking on No. 4 Post Falls (8-12) at 7.

The winners meet Tuesday in the winner-to-state title game. A second team can earn a state berth.

• The 5A, 4A and 3A state-qualifying wrestling tournaments are Saturday at Lakeland High School.

The top three placers in 5A, top two in 4A and top three in 3A advance to state next week.

Matches begin at 9 a.m. with finals beginning at about 4:30.