Youth notebook: NCAA-sanctioned girls basketball tourney this weekend

The lone NCAA-sanctioned girls basketball tournament in the region takes place this weekend at the Warehouse.

Co-sponsored by the Spokane Stars and Spokane Sandpipers, the sixth annual Summer Heat Showcase features most of the top area club teams and some of the best in the Pacific Northwest.

The tourney begins Saturday and concludes Sunday. It’s a showcase format meaning no champions will be crowned.

There are two divisions – elite and all-star. The Stars and Sandpipers along with the North Idaho Elite are in the elite division.

College coaches representing the best West Coast schools will be on hand to evaluate talent.

Admission is $10 for a day pass and $7 for seniors and students.

Schedules can be found at: www.warehouseathletics.com.

The Stars Blue elite team recently competed in two of the top tournaments in the nation.

The Stars tied for third at the Oregon City End of the Trail tournament. They went 3-2 at the Nike Invite National Championships in Chicago.

Lexie Hull (Central Valley), Jamie Loera (Moses Lake) and Hailey Christopher (CV) were named to the all-tourney team for the Stars’ 32-team bracket in the 128-team tournament. Lacie Hull (CV) was named the most valuable player.

Team members are: the Hulls, Loera, Christopher, Mady Simmelink (CV), Camryn Skaife (CV), Quincy McDeid (North Central), Olivia Mayer (Gonzaga Prep) and Jaidyn Lyman (Mt. Spokane). The Stars are coached by Ron Adams and assisted by Steve Ranniger.

Baseball

Three Spokane Indians youth teams won state tournaments recently.

The Indians 10U team won the Cal Ripken north state tournament at Moses Lake. The team went 6-0.

They defeated Eastmont 1-0 in the title game. Carter McPherson reached on a walk. Braedyn Killinger was put in to pinch run. He scored on a single by Easton Amend.

Pitcher Tanner Smith was involved in two critical defensive plays that secured the shutout. Center fielder Cole Startin had a key catch on the run in the gap. Startin pitched the final three innings.

Team members are: McPherson, Killinger, Amend, Smith, Startin, Jake Hernandez, Luke Brown, Samuel Davidson, Cooper Davis, Rece Schuerman, Sam Weaver and Tristan Utley. Coaches are Joe Killinger, Jeremy Weaver and Brett Startin.

The Indians advanced to regionals in Meridian, Idaho, beginning Wednesday.

The Indians 9U team also won the Cal Ripkin north state tournament at Moses Lake, going 6-0. The Indians defeated Lynden 5-3 in the title game.

Defense, pitching and timely hitting led the team, coach Mark Sodorff said.

Jeremiah Kirkwood and Grant Yost combined to pitch.

With the score tied 3-3, Jacob Williams hit a two-run double in the fifth inning.

Team members are: Kirkwood, Yost, Williams, Kai Wheeler, Briggs Beaudoin, Brady Strahl, Adam Sodorff, Kyle Wilkinson, Ridge Bryant, Mikey Funaro, Tannon Marsalis and Marco Longo. Assisting Sodorff were Bobby Strahl and Ryan Beaudoin.

The team advances to the regionals in Meridian, Idaho, beginning Wednesday.

The Indians Pony 11U won the west zone tournament in Seattle, going 6-0.

They defeated Maltby 24-4 in a game called in the fifth inning because of the mercy rule.

Jack Sklut was the winning pitcher and hit a three-run homer to get the Indians rolling.

Coach Kevin Ereaux stressed it was a team effort in the tournament.

Team members are: Sklut, Dylan Kakuda, Jayson Smith, Quinn Malone, Dresden Tyler, Colby Danielson, Robbie Burnett, Parker Ereaux, Aden Rasmussen, Logan Nagle, Scotty Hocking and Garrett Dehn. Ereaux was assisted by Bob Danielson and Josh Hocking.

The team advances to regionals in Walnut, California, beginning Thursday.

Golf

Several area youth played well recently in the Banner Bank Jr Golf Invitational tournament held July 7-8 at Walla Walla Country Club.

Jack Reeves, of Sandpoint, competing in the 15-17 age group, shot 73-77 to finish in fifth place.

Megan Bileter, of Mead, shot a 76-74 to finish in fourth place in the 15-17 girls age group.

Tommy Kimmel shot a 77-67 to win the boy’s 12-14 age group. Brayden Miles, also of Spokane, shot a 76-80 to finish in second place. Hayden Gamache, also of Spokane, shot a 81-87 to finish in fourth place in the same age group.

Kyla Currie, of Coeur d’Alene, shot a 93-97 to finish tied for fourth place in the girl’s 12-14 age group.