Prep basketball: West Valley, Pullman boys survive district openers

Martin Herford scored nine of his 20 points during an 18-4 first quarter Wednesday as third-seeded West Valley defeated visiting East Valley 57-47 in a loser-out opener of the District 7 2A boys basketball tournament.

Brandon Ray and Anthony Rice had seven rebounds apiece for the Eagles (14-7).

Jeremiah Hillard scored 11 fourth-quarter points for the fourth-seeded Knights (5-16).

The Eagles will travel to Pullman at 7 p.m. Friday at Lincoln Middle School for a winner-to-state, loser-out game. The winner will meet top-seeded Clarkston (20-1) at 6 p.m. Monday at Clarkston for the title game and state seeding.

Pullman 70, Cheney 42: Micah Lagerquist totaled 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists as the second-seeded Greyhounds (17-4) eliminated the visiting and fifth-seeded Blackhawks (5-16). Kyle Imler and Caleb Nillson added 11 points apiece for Pullman. Keenan Williams led Cheney with nine points and seven rebounds.

District 7 1B

Odessa-Harrington 54, Cusick 52: Sam Schafer scored a team-high 14 points, including the go-ahead basket with 3 seconds left, to give the Titans (12-9) a win over the host Panthers (12-9). Shane Whitaker added 13 points for the Titans, who stopped Cusick from getting off a final shot. Cusick’s Alec Bluff had 27 points and 10 rebounds. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Deer Park, O-H will play a winner-to-state game against Almira/Coulee-Hartline and Cusick will meet Northport in a loser-out.

ACH 54, Northport 36: Dallas Issak finished with 19 points and four assists to lead the Warriors (17-4) past the Mustangs (9-12) at Coulee City. Payton Nielsen added 13 rebounds and 12 points for the Warriors.

Curlew 80, Valley Christian 21: Coby Grumbach finished with 26 points and eight rebounds while leading the host Cougars (17-4) past the Panthers (3-16). Gunner Brown added 19 points for Curlew, which led 26-7 after one quarter. At 6 p.m. Saturday at Deer Park, Curlew will play Wellpinit in a winner-to-state game and Valley Christian will meet Selkirk in a loser-out.

Wellpinit 61, Selkirk 45: Cedric Bowen totaled 19 points and 10 boards to power the host Redskins (17-4) past the Rangers (12-9). Wellpinit’s Brandon Flett added 12 points, and Jason Holt had nine assists. Dominic Cain paced Selkirk with 17 points.

Girls basketball

District 9 1B

Oakesdale 78, St. John-Endicott 60: Jacey Johnson and Logan Reed combined for 50 points and the fourth-seeded Nighthawks (14-7) made 27 of 31 free throws to defeat the visiting Eagles (9-12) in an opener. Oakesdale will play at top-seeded Colton (21-0) at 5 p.m. Friday for a berth in the title game. Abby Glorfield scored 14 points for the fifth-seeded Eagles, who will play a loser-out game at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Clarkston.

Touchet 55, Liberty Christian 36: The third-seeded Indians (18-4) defeated the visiting Patriots (6-12). Touchet will travel to second-seeded Pomeroy (13-7) at 5 p.m. Friday for a berth in the title game. Sixth-seeded Liberty Christian will play at loser-out game at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Clarkston.

Idaho boys

Nonleague

Prairie 79, Moscow 64: Rhett Schlader scored 23 points to lead the host Pirates (17-2) past the Bears (2-15).