Editor’s note: This online story is an update from the Feb. 13 article in The Courier-Herald. To double check dates and times, go to www.pclathletics.org (for Bonney Lake), www.npslathletics.org (for Enumclaw), www.spsl.org/tournament (for Sumner), and www.spslathletics.com (for White River).
When it came time for postseason play the ultimate winner was – Mother Nature.
When an unusually heavy snowfall blanketed the region last week, schools were closed and crucial sporting events were scrapped. Schedules were hastily rescheduled and timelines condensed.
The most dramatic impact came in the world of wrestling, where regional tournaments for both boys and girls were snowed out. With Mat Classic (the state championships for all classifications) slated for this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16, a tough decision had to be made.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association determined the best solution was to expand the state field. So, this week’s grappling extravaganza in the Tacoma Dome will feature 32 boys in each of the 14 weight classes, rather than the traditional field of 16.
The top local entry is the White River High boys team, which will look to repeat as Class 2A champions. A handful of local competitors will seek to repeat as individual champions.
BASKETBALL
Here’s where things stand, as of Monday, for the six hoop programs still in the running.
White River Girls: The highly-regarded Hornets received a first-round bye in the West Central District 2A tournament and host Sequim tonight (Wednesday). The winner is assured a berth in the regional tourney and plays again Friday and Saturday for seeding purposes only.
Tonight’s loser will take on Eatonville at 7:45 Thursday at Wilson High School. The loser of that one is finished, while the winner plays again Friday, again in a lose-and-go-home scenario.
White River Boys: The Hornet boys will take on either Renton or Foss at 7:45 Thursday night in the Bonney Lake High gym.
The loser is done for the season while the winner advances to play at 6 p.m. Friday in another loser-out contest. Friday’s winner is assured of a regional berth and will play Saturday afternoon for seeding purposes only.
Enumclaw Boys: The Hornets square off against Rogers High of Puyallup at 7:45 tonight, Wednesday, in a loser-out contest in the West Central/Southwest District 4A tournament. The game is set for Auburn High School.
The winner takes on Mount Rainier or Kentridge High at 7:45 p.m. Thursday at Stadium High School in Tacoma. That, too, is a loser-out affair. The winner will play Friday night and keep its hopes alive.
Sumner Girls: The Spartans dropped their West Central/Southwest District tournament opener, falling 61-19 to the Camas Papermakers on Feb. 7.
That pushed Sumner into a loser-out game tonight, Wednesday, against Curtis High. The game begins at 6 p.m. at Rogers High in South Hill. If the Spartans survive, they would need two more victories this week to secure a regional berth.
Sumner Boys: The Sumner High boys dropped into the district loser’s bracket with a Feb. 7 loss to Union High and play a loser’s bracket game against Kentwood tonight, Wednesday. The 6 p.m. contest will be at Auburn High School.
If Sumner wins, the Spartans next play at 6 p.m. Thursday against Skyview or Curtis in another loser-out game. Thursday’s winner stays alive and plays again Friday.
Bonney Lake Girls: The Panthers opened district play with a loss to Lincoln High on Feb. 7 and will play again Thursday in a loser-out contest against either Hudson’s Bay or Gig Harbor. Thursday’s contest begins at 6:45 p.m. at Graham-Kapowsin High School.
If Bonney Lake prevails, the Panthers would need two more wins, on Friday and Saturday, to advance to the regional tourney.
