Return of the Rams

Winning streak puts West Valley soccer among state elite again ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — When Jake Sagare played soccer at West Valley, it was not a stretch to describe the program as a dynasty. It was simply a matter of fact.

Numbers like these don’t need hype: Nine straight state trophies from 1993 to 2001, an average of 20 wins a season during those years, four state championships and a national ranking that reached as high as third in Sagare’s senior year, 1998.

Tied deeply to that heritage, Sagare jumped at the chance to be the head coach last season. An internationally accomplished player, he was ready for the other side of the game and his alma mater was the ideal place to do it.

But a season of promise turned into an exhibition of frustration for a young team and its rookie coach. The Rams struggled through a 4-12 campaign, scored just 19 goals and tied for last in the CBL 3A.

“I had real high expectations and that came from my days in the program when it was like that, a dynasty,” Sagare admitted. “I wanted us to live up to that tradition but the bottom line is it wasn’t realistic. It wasn’t time yet.”

It is now.

After a 3-3 start, the Rams have won nine consecutive matches, moved into the Seattle Times’ state 3A rankings and wrapped up the top seed for the regional tournament in two weeks.

“Last year was a trial run,” said senior goalkeeper Phil Lopez. “Our defense is like a thousand times better, we’re scoring more, our mids are stronger. It’s really come together.”

A quick turnaround for sure, but it wasn’t like flipping a switch. It took work and it started at the top.

“Some of our problems last year were may own fault, and I’ve changed my ways completely,” Sagare explained. “I’m focusing on one aspect in a training session instead of trying to correct everything at once. Last year I made it like a hard math class.”

Given a year, the Rams are no longer stumped by those baffling equations. West Valley’s current win streak has produced a 10-2 record in league and 12-3 overall. The offense has more than doubled its scoring over last year while the defense has allowed half as many goals.

“Last year we just didn’t work well together. Everybody was kind of doing their own thing,” noted senior Kyle Boyle, who anchors a defense that has four shutouts in the last six matches. “This year we jumped right in and have been working hard from the start. What a difference.”

Chemistry and confidence can go a long way, but it’s also nice to have a kid around who has scored 23 goals. Senior forward Junior Ayala hasn’t been kept out of the net since March and he’s racked up 16 goals during the Rams’ win streak.

“I think he’s the best player in the league,” Sagare said, “but he’s not getting those goals unless the defense is doing well and the passes are getting served to him. That’s getting done.”

Ayala is basically a newcomer, having missed last season for academic reasons. Now motivated in that area, Ayala is getting history lessons from his coach.

“He still made every practice last year, and now he’s focused in the classroom, too,” Sagare said of his standout scorer. “I gave him a number to shoot for — 26 goals. That’s what I had my senior season. After Tuesday’s match I said, ‘What, only one tonight?’ He’s probably going to pass that.”

Tuesday night was, all agreed, West Valley’s best effort of the season, a 2-0 blanking of second-place Kamiakin on wet, slick turf at Lampson Stadium.

“That’s definitely the best we’ve played,” said Lopez, who had five saves in the shutout. “Kamiakin’s got good players, but we went for everything and didn’t let them get anything going.”

Even in the cold wind and rain, Sagare savored what he saw. A defense in position, not just chasing the ball, and a full squad communicating as one. It made last year seem like a distant memory.

“It was just enjoyable to watch,” the coach said. “It was the first time everything seemed to click. I was proud of the way the guys dominated the match in some tough conditions.”

The Rams return to Lampson Stadium on Saturday to conclude their regular season against Southridge. Then it’s 11 days off before hosting a regional semifinal on May 13.

Wherever this season ends, Lopez, Boyle and Ayala will continue playing together at Columbia Basin College next season. They will have some stories to tell.

“We’ve really worked out the kinks and turned it around,” said Boyle, an all-league defender since his sophomore year. “I always believed we had the talent, we just had to become a team.”

“They’ve got that feeling of winning,” Sagare added.

Just like it used to be.

Solis assists on another Grizzly win

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — Jesus Solis assisted on three goals and five different Sunnyside players scored as the Grizzlies won their sixth straight match with a 5-0 victory over Hanford in CBBN soccer action Thursday.

Joaquin Perez made three saves for Sunnyside (6-6, 9-6), which finishes its regular season Saturday hosting Wenatchee.

First half: 1. Sunnyside, Javier Contreras (Jesus Solis), 4:00; 2. Sunnyside, Julio Ramirez (Solis), 20:00;

Second half: 3. Sunnyside, Carlos Alvarez, 47:00; 4. Sunnyside, Humberto Ramirez (Solis), 67:00; 5. Sunnyside, Jesus Gudino, 68:00.

Saves: Kyle Stewart (H); Joaquin Perez (S) 3.

CWAC

WAPATO 1, GRANDVIEW 0 (SO): At Grandview, the Wolves converted four shootout goals to three for the Greyhounds to improve to 6-5 in league play.

First half: No scoring.

Second half: No scoring.

Overtime: No scoring.

Shootout: Wapato 4 (Jesse Chavez, Fredy Rodriguez, Cesar Ramirez, Jose Espinoza); Grandview 3 (Ramiro Soto, Euladio Lua, Sami Villa).

Saves: Francisco Padilla (W) 9; Teclo Perez (G) 4.

PROSSER 7, TOPPENISH 1: At Prosser, Mynor Maza scored three of his four goals in a six-minute span midway through the second half as Prosser (10-2, 13-2) broke away from a 1-1 halftime tie.

First half: 1, Toppenish, Arturo Gonzales, 25:00; 2, Prosser, Mynor Maza (Anthony Cervantez), 37:00.

Second half: 3, Prosser, Maza (Alex Cortez), 60:00; 4, Prosser, Maza (Beto Quinones), 63:00; 5, Prosser, Maza, 66:00; 6, Prosser, Cortez (Maza), 70:00; 7, Prosser, Quinones, 75:00; 8, Prosser, Gustavo Madrigal (Cortez), 78:00.

Saves: Leo Fuentes (T) 6, Brian Molina (P) 5.

SCAC

HIGHLAND 9, GOLDENDALE 3: At Cowiche, all the Scottie seniors scored on senior night as Highland improved to 7-0 in league and 15-0 overall.

First half: 1, Highland, Eric Perez (Ryan Town), 6:00; 2, Highland, Juan Aguilar (Jesus Silva), 8:00; 3, Highland, Marcos Sanchez (Silva), 10:00; 4, Highland, Town, 16:00; 5, Highland, Silva (Anthony Naranjo), 18:00; 6, Highland, Perez, 23:00; 7, Highland, Sergio Flores (Aguilar), 38:00.

Second half: 8, Highland, Naranjo, 42:00; 9, Highland, Jose Segura (Perez), 64:00; 10, Goldendale, Oscar Ocampo, 66:00; 11, Goldendale, Ocampo, 70.00; 12, Goldendale, Alejandro Armenta, 80:00.

Saves: Armenta (G) 7, Billy Monroe (G) 5; Omar Ochoa (H) 1, Jorge Sanchez (G) 5.

GRANGER 4, NACHES VALLEY 2: At Naches, four different Spartans scored as Granger claimed its seventh victory in its last eight matches.

First half: 1. Granger, Nathan Trevino (A.J. Rodriguez), 1:00; 2. Granger, Jose Zuniga, 30:00.

Second half: 3. Granger, Jesus Lemus, 42:00; 4. Granger, Hector Camacho, 50:00; 5. Naches Valley, James Davis (Jon Whitmore), 69:00; 6. Naches Valley, Whitmore (Porfi Navarro), 76:00.

Saves: Ulyssyes Lemus (G) 12; Henry VanderHouwen (NV) 5.

BASEBALL

Red Devils fall at Othello

OTHELLO — Rick Garza had three hits as Othello beat East Valley 13-3 in CWAC baseball action Thursday. Jonathan Janis had a pair of hits for EV, which concludes its regular season Saturday at Wapato.

East Valley        001    02    —    3    3    1

Othello        042    7x    —    13    8    1

Cameron, Clements (4) and Janis; Suarez, Burnetti (5) and Valdez.

Highlights: Jonathan Janis (EV) 2-3, 2b; Rick Garza (O) 3-4, RBI.

FASTPITCH

Leopards fall to River View

ZILLAH — Lexi Hess struck out 12 and Chani Brisby clubbed a two-run homer as River View downed Zillah 9-0 in a non-league fastpitch game Thursday.

Rosebud Guthrie was 2-for-3 for the Leopards, who host Cle Elum in a SCAC West doubleheader today.

River View    300    001    4    —    9    3    1

Zillah    000    000    0    —    0    4    9

Lexi Hess and Brisby; Salverda, Robillard (5) and Argo.

Highlights: Chani Brisby (RV) 2-run HR, Lexi Hess (RV) 12 K; Rosebud Guthie (Z) 2-3.

CBBN

WALLA WALLA 10-5, EISENHOWER 0-0: At Walla Walla, the Blue Devils improved to 8-0 in conference play with the sweep. Eisenhower hosts Richland today.

Game 1

Eisenhower        000    00    —    0    4    2

Walla Walla        020    71    —    10    9    0

McClain and Hernandez; Ambler and Reardon.

Highlights: Hannah Rumbolz (E) 2-3; Ambler (WW) 6 K.

Game 2

Eisenhower    000    000    0    —    0    3    2

Walla Walla    211    001    x    —    5    8    0

Rumbolz and Hernandez; Klicker and Reardon.

Highlights: Hope Klicker (WW) 3 K.

Davis runners dominate 1,600-meter races

YAKIMA, Wash. — Davis’ boys turned in two standout 1,600-meter performances — individually and as a team — in a four-team CBBN track and field meet at Kamiakin on Thursday.

Emmanuel Contreras lowered his four-lap career best to 4 minutes, 17.91 seconds, and he joined a 4×400 team that clocked 3:26.14, which ranks fourth in the state.

Dimitri Mandapat won the 100 and 200, sped 50.57 for second in the 400 and ran on the 4×400 relay for the Pirates.

At Eisenhower, the Cadet girls split with Richland and Sunnyside to run their dual record to 8-3.

CBBN

AT EISENHOWER

Boys

Team scores: Eisenhower 86, Sunnyside 59; Richland 102, Eisenhower 42; Richland 111, Sunnyside 34.

Local highlights

100: 2, Jonathan Newport (E) 11.24; 4, Mike Esparza (E) 11.64. 200: 3, Newport (E) 23.33; 4, Jose Madrigal (S) 23.48. 400: 4, Bryan Simison (E) 54.75. 800: 2, Simison (E) 2:02.63; 4, German Silva (E) 2:06.80. 1600: 1, Ryan Chapman 4:35.93; 3, Silva 4:40.33. 3200: 1, Ivan Alfaro (E) 10:14.26; 2, Andy Romfo (E) 10:20.47; 4, Jacob Rogers (S) 10:38.50. 110H: 1, Kennedy Sarmiento (S) 15.41. 300H: 1, Sarmiento (S) 43.67; 2, Ricky Sanchez (E) 44.57. 4×100: 2, Sunnyside 45.24; 3, Eisenhower 46.09. 4×400: 2, Sunnyside 3:40.51; 3, Eisenhower 3:41.43.

Shot: 4, Edward Martinez (E) 44-1 3/4. Disc: 4, Abel Soto (E) 126-4. Jav: 1, Chase Janosik (E) 161-11; 4, Andres Cantu (S) 125-5. HJ: 3, Francisco Navarro-Rodriguez (S) 5-10; 4, Chapman (E) 5-8. LJ: 2, Navarro-Rodriguez (S) 19-5; 3, Isreal Manzo (S) 19-1. TJ: 1, Navarro-Rodriguez (S) 41-1; 2, Newport (E) 39-11; 4, Guadalupe Mendoza (S) 36-5. PV: 1, Joseph Keeton (E) 12-6; 2, Jesse-Ryan Hernandez (S) 11-0.

Girls

Team scores: Eisenhower 131, Sunnyside 15; Richland 93, Eisenhower 57; Richland 135, Sunnyside 13.

Local highlights

100: 1, Shanai Campbell (E) 12.89; 3, Beth Klingele (E) 13.26; 4, McKenzie (E) 13.44. 200: 2, Kelsey Dix (E) 27.58; 4, Arnold (E) 27.89. 400: 2, Rachel Freeman (E) 1:04.23. 800: 1, Mayra Chavez (E) 2:27.94; 3, Kirsten Sheffield (E) 2:33.14. 1600: 3, Chavez (E) 5:28.43; 4, Berenice Penaloza (E) 5:33.30. 3200: 2, Penaloza (E) 11:44.83; 4, Jocelyn Yanez (S) 12:27.87. 100H: 4, Jessica Montoya (E) 18.04. 300H: 2, Katherine Bravo (E) 48.05. 4×100: 1, Eisenhower 51.59. 4×200: 2, Eisenhower 1:51.72. 4×400: 2, Eisenhower 4:24.32.

Shot: 1, Jessica Bush (E) 37-0 1/4; 3, Jazmine Frazier (E) 36-4. Disc: 1, Bush (E) 119-7; 3, Kayla Randles (E) 96-10; 4, Carrie Johnston (E) 94-7. Jav: 2, Megan Tyler (S) 89-0; 3, Anna Smart (E) 85-2. HJ: 3, Montoya (E) 4-6; 4, Cecily Wilson (E) 4-4. LJ: 2, Lizzie Blanchard (E) 15-8; 3, Megan Kinney (E) 14-4 1/4; 4, Ayla Schmick (S) 13-8. TJ: 1, Kinney (E) 32-5 1/2; 3, Casey Guilland (E) 31-0; 4, Blanchard (E) 30-10. PV: 4, Katie Herndon (S) 8-6

AT WEST VALLEY

Boys

Team scores: Kennewick 72, West Valley 71; Moses Lake 87, West Valley 58; Hanford 104, West Valley 41.

WV highlights

800: 1, Kyle Mellander 2:02.52; 2, Taylor McDowell 2:02.95. 1600: 4, Ryley Hausken 4:50.37. 3200: 2, Joseph Matheson 10:32.35. 110H: 4, Michael Risley 17.32. 300H: 2, Jeremy Oram 43.70. 4×100: 3, WV 46.01. 4×400: 3, WV 3:33.16.

LJ: 3, Drew Goodman 19-2. PV: 2, Evan Wolff 12-6; 3, Ben Johnson 11-6.

Girls

Team scores: West Valley 62, Kennewick 54; West Valley 66, Moses Lake 54; Hanford 102, West Valley 47.

WV highlights

100: 1, Chantel Jaeger 12.71; 3, Mikele Cluff 13.69; 4, Keely Hausken 13.76. 200: 2, Ashley Packard 28.17. 400: 2, Chelsea Nell 1:02.49; 4, Packard 1:04.80. 800: 4, Margret Parobek 2:37.48. 1600: 1, Parobek 5:41.44; 2, Lisa Olander 5:44.68. 3200: 2, Audrey Urlacher 11:58.81. 4×400: 1, WV 4:20.14.

Shot: 4, Quianna Winkfield 30-10. Disc: 3, Aleia Gefre 90-5. Jav: 3, Taylor Herzog 106-8; 4, Winkfield 104-9. LJ: 2, Vida Rezaie 15-6 3/4.

AT KAMIAKIN

Boys

Team scores: Kamiakin 79, Davis 62; Southridge 88, Davis 53; Wenatchee 88, Davis 57.

Davis highlights

100: 1, Dimitri Mandapat 11.26. 200: 1, Mandapat 22.48. 400: 2, Mandapat 50.57. 1600: 1, Emmanuel Contreras 4:17.91. 110H: 3, Ernesto Gonzalez 16.25. 4×400: 1, Davis 3:26.14. Shot: 3, Chaz Espinoza 41-6. Disc: 4, James Carter 111-2. LJ: 3, Anthony Corbray 20-0 1/4. TJ: 3, Edwin Rainey 40-0 1/2. PV: 1, Marcus Schooley 14-0.

Girls

Team scores: Kamiakin 110, Davis 37; Southridge 122, Davis 26; Wenatchee 122, Davis 28.

Davis highlights

800: 1, Shawna Schooley 2:21.73; 2, Kaitlin Kaluzny 2:26.69. 1600: 1, Sandra Martinez 5:15.67; 4, Hannah Kaluzny 5:40.50. 4×200: 3, Davis 1:54.26. Shot: 2, Daria Winckler 36-4. PV: 4, Edith Martinez 8-0.

CWAC

AT EPHRATA

Boys

Teams: Ellensburg, Selah, Ephrata.

100: Cody Mann (Eph) 11.2. 200: Mann (Eph) 22.9. 400: Ignacio Romero (S) 53.2. 800: T.J. Hesselgesser (S) 2:01.2. 1600: James Currell (S) 4:37.6. 3200: Kevin Aubol (Ell) 10:14.26. 110H: Mike Mandeville (Eph) 15.2. 300H: Mandeville (Eph) 39.5. 4×100: Ephrata 44.5. 4×400: Ephrata 3:37.6.

Shot: Ryan Fleenor (Eph) 47-8 1/2. Disc: Scott Ellenberger (S) 113-1. Jav: Travis Flint (Eph) 144-4. HJ: Jerome Prescod (Eph) 6-2. LJ: Mandeville (Eph) 20-8 1/2. TJ: Prescod (Eph) 45-2. PV: Wes Chamberlain (Eph) 14-6, Kyle Stone (S) 14-0.

Girls

100: Shannon Bland (Ell) 12.8. 200: Casey Demory (Ell) 26.7. 400: Bland (Ell) 1:02.0. 800: McKenzie Graf (Ell) 2:35.8. 1600: Danielle Friend (Eph) 5:34.1. 3200: Friend (Eph) 12:26.3. 100H: Daiam Navarro (Eph) 16.3, Lena Mitchell (S) 16.3. 300H: Demory (Ell) 48.2. 4×100: Selah 51.4. 4×200: Selah 1:51.7. 4×400: Ephrata 4:21.7.

Shot: Jordyn Murray (Eph) 36-2 1/4. Disc: Kelsie Einspahr (Eph) 96-2. Jav: Liz Pickett (Ell) 106-11, Kierstin Wilson (S) 102-1. HJ: Acacia Young (Ell) 5-0. LJ: Kasey Head (S) 16-0 1/4. TJ: Niki Pope (Eph) 32-2 1/2. PV: Kendahl Hintz (Eph) 10-0, Belen Lopez (S) 9-0.

TENNIS

CBBN

Eastmont boys 5, Eisenhower 2

Singles: Nathan Mount (Ei) d. Braden Welick 6-1, 6-4; Aaron Lince (Ea) d. George Ygona 6-3, 6-1; Kameron Torres (Ei) d. Eric Shreiner 6-1, 6-2; Brett Canada (Ea) d. Gabe Martinez 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles: Micah Spaun-Dillon Delabarr (Ea) d. Marco Guillen-George Chen 6-1, 6-0; Justin Canada-Mitch Poshia (Ea) d. Bryan Klingele-Tanner Briggs 6-1, 6-0; Brett Jaspers-Travis Cronin (Ea) d. Logan Patterson-Jordan Chen 6-3, 6-1.

Eastmont girls 5, Eisenhower 2

Singles: Bekah Waterhouse (Ea) d. Robin Klein 6-0, 6-0; Kayla Long (Ei) d. Rachel Miller 6-2, 6-0; Brooke Compton (Ea) d. Leslie Guske 7-5, 4-6, 6-3; Ali Sellsted (Ei) d. Kelsey Mayer 6-2, 6-0.

Doubles: M. Mayer-H. Waterhouse (Ea) d. K. Cross-K. Cross 6-2, 6-1; M. Dahlin-S. Waerhouse (Ea) d. C. Eglin-K. Racy 6-3, 6-1; J. Gale-S. Tarbert (Ea) d. A. Hodges-C. Ruff 6-2, 6-4.

CWAC

Wapato boys 5, Quincy 0

Singles: Erick Tuex (W) d. Jonathan Velaquez 4-6, 6-0, 6-2; Jake Velasco (W) d. Fabian Galeana 6-0, 6-2.

Doubles: Rogelio Ruiz-Greg Strom (W) d. Blake Van Dyke-Garrett Van Dyke 6-4, 6-7, 6-4; Micah Garza-Greg Shank (W) d. Michael Garcia-Javier Gordillo 6-4, 6-3; Paul Rickert-Gerardo Valencia (W) d. Adam Wilson-Trevor Marcialen 6-0, 6-0.

Quincy girls 3, Wapato 2

Singles: Katie Homer (Q) d. Nakota Strom 6-1, 2-6, 6-2; Clara Rasmussen (Q) d. Hayler Strom 6-3, 6-4.

Doubles: Bonnie Knodell-Collenn Knodell (Q) d. Tiffany Armijo-Lizette Melendez 6-7, 6-4, 6-3; Ariel Valdez-Stephanie Velasco (W) d. Becca Boen-Tiffany Yeates 8-7 (7-4); Jessica Camacho-Alina Gutierrez (W) d. Olivera Anzmerdi-Lily Blancas 6-3, 6-2.

SCAC

Goldendale boys 4, Highland 1

Singles: Goldendale won both singles by forfeit.

Doubles: Chase Wing-Fletcher Wilhite (G) d. Matt Newman-Ryan Martin 6-4, 6-2; Zack Shattuck-Bryan Milberger (G) d. James Colbert-Joe Scott 6-2, 6-0; Highland won by forfeit.

Goldendale girls 4. Highland 1

Singles: Stacey Thompson (G) d. Danielle Cummings 6-0, 6-2; Jazmin Aretega (H) d. Racheal Tipser 6-4, 6-3.

Doubles: Kylee Bellamy-Ryell Karle (G) d. Tavi Wise-Denise Castro 6-3, 6-2; Taylor Bradley-Sierra Davis (G) d. Katelyn McIntire-Joseline Velasquez 6-2, 6-3; Felisha Budde-Nanna Olson (G) d. Lucero Gutierrez-Abril Lopez 6-4, 6-4

Naches Valley boys 3, Granger 1

Singles: Ben Villa (G) d. Terrance Kleeschulte 6-2, 6-1; Jeremy Gaudette (NV) d. Andy Aldaco 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.

Doubles: Tyler Slick-Cameron Fisk (NV) d. Andrew Bending-Daniel Valencia 6-0, 6-1; Naches wins by forfeit. No 3rd doubles.

Naches Valley girls 4, Granger 1

Singles: Zori Fossum NV d. Brenda Velasco 6-1, 6-1; Larisa Fossum NV d. Italian Mengarelli 6-0, 6-1.

Doubles: Janae Klarich-Emily Carpenter (G) d. Leticia Gonzalez-Taylor Ranger 6-1, 6-2; Mariah Eisner-Shelly Johnson (NV) d. Anabel Ontiveros-Jasmine Almaguer 6-2, 6-0; Ashley Hunter-Stainder Kaur (NV) d. Natalie Carpenter-Martha Alcarav 6-0, 6-0.

La Salle boys 2, White Swan 1

Singles: Ryan Voelker (LS) d. Thomas Lewis 6-2, 7-6; no match for No. 2 singles.

Doubles: Oscar Gonzalez-Travis Dick (WS) d. Brian Carlson-Jeremy Klarich 6-0, 6-2; Jacob Tri-Danny Panagelli (LS) d. Alex Craig-Zach Tenney 6-2, 6-1; no match for No. 3 doubles.

La Salle girls 3, White Swan 0

Singles: Olivia McLaughlin (LS) d. Delores Moore 6-1, 6-0; Chloe Martin (LS) d. Felicia Teter 6-0, 6-3.

Doubles: Aubrie Widhalm-Tori Heckart (LS) d. Bree Dekker-Jackie McLaren 6-1, 6-4; no matches for Nos. 2 and 3 doubles.

GOLF

CWAC

AT YAKIMA ELKS

Boys

Team scores: Othello 325, Selah 328, Quincy 426.

Medalist: R.J. Gunner (S) and Jared Kummer (O) 79, par 71.

Selah: Tyler Sugden 81, Brett Dodeward 84, Kyle Yates 84. Quincy: Chase Henne 95, Ben Evans 95, Nate Biaumont 96, Clayton Hobbs 136.

AT APPLE TREE

Girls

Team scores: Selah 406, West Valley JV 439, Ellensburg 484.

Medalist: Anna Elofson (WV) 88, par 72.

Selah: Holly Wood 97, Megan Jones 103, Breanna Taylor 103, Taylor Jones 103. West Valley JV: Kayla Rothenbehler 98, Taylor Boyle 122, Brooklyn Wood 131. Ellensburg: Nevada Caraway-Holmes 111, Jessica Schademan 121, Alex Gumeson 124, Autumn Grassel 128.

SCAC

At Desert Aire CC

Boys

Team scores: Cle Elum 358, Goldendale 404, Wahluke 418.

Medalist: Zach Wanderchild (G) 73, par 72.

Cle Elum: Michael Greene 86, Rilee Iacolucci 83, Michael Montgomery 87, Colton Anderson 102, Devon Ergler 135. Goldendale: Ron Lindhe 93, Riley Ross 107, Kyle Ross 131, Scott Valentine 135.

Girls

Team scores: Cle Elum 402, Goldendale 448, Wahluke inc.

Medalist: Taylor Rico (CE) 93, par 72.

Cle Elum: Brittnie Ren 95, Jessie Johnson 106, Courtney Reed 108, Megan Dillinger 128. Goldendale: Amber Ihring 106,Cassie Kelly 110, Lexie Cameron 112, Molly Swift 120, Margaret Bellamy 122, Kayla McWhitmire 130.

AT YAKIMA CC

Boys

Team scores: East Valley 337, Prosser 366, Grandview inc.

Medalist: Tyler Jensen (EV) 80 and Josh Jardine (G) 80, par 72.

East Valley: Alex Aiken 87, Corbin Perrault 101, Ben Assink 82, Tanner Olson 88, Drew Gibbs 107. Prosser: Devin Bender 83, Cad Hancock 82, Wade French 94, Markus Smith 107, Mitch Bousquet 116. Grandview: Ryan Contreras 103.

At SunTides GC

Boys

Team scores: Highland 352, Naches Valley 364, Zillah 406, Riverside Christian 414.

Medalist: Min Woo Park (H) 71, par 70.

Highland: Kyle Belton 84, Kenny Hampton 87, Forrest Kopta 110. Naches Valley: Shane Tillett 84, Tyler Edwards 92, Jason Schuler 93, Dawson Roeber 95. Zillah: Travis Oswalt 97, Trevor Perrault 101, Caleb Duford 102, Matt Hauck 106. Riverside Christian: Kevin Westbay 90, Lauren Button 102, Michael Coffman 107, Jason Morrow 115.

Girls

Team scores: Naches Valley 431, Highland 508.

Medalist: Sam Osborn (NV) 98. Par 70.

Naches Valley: Mandy Stockton 101, Emily Thompson 107, Kathleeen Schut 125. Highland: Lillian Mitchum 100, Cassie Hampton 112, Shani Baker 137, Jessica Churchill 159.

Like it or not, shot clock is here for boys

YAKIMA, Wash. — A week after the WIAA’s Rep Assembly voted 42-11 to use a shot clock in boys basketball, a lot of coaches are still wondering how exactly that happened. Me too, especially by such a landslide.

But before getting into the questions of why and what for, the pressing issue is what impact a 35-second ticker will have. There are two ways to go here.

Little impact: How many boys possessions have you seen that lasted longer than 35 seconds? In an era of up-tempo play, not many, I’m guessing.

Major impact: More pressing, poorer shooting, less ability to protect a late lead. When the clock gets into single digits, watch how quickly defenders go after the shooters.

From my perspective, it doesn’t look like anything was broken. Where’s the burning issue? Anyone who thinks ‘stall ball’ is a problem hasn’t seen much high school basketball lately.

And where’s the precedent?

The National Federation of State High School Associations has no rules governing a boys shot clock because only six states use one — California, New York, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Rhode Island and South Dakota. Washington will be No. 7.

The reasons I’ve heard for instituting a shot clock seem like a reach, especially when cash-strapped schools will have to pay more for clock operators and, in some cases, purchase new equipment.

Create more exciting games, which could boost attendance, get kids prepared for the men’s college shot clock, get in line with Washington’s girls, who have a 30-second clock — these are the reasons that apparently rallied support for the lopsided vote.

But what tipped the scales was a recent WIAA on-line rules clinic that included a survey asking, among other things, if a shot clock should be opted for boys. A majority approved.

Eisenhower coach Pat Fitterer, who serves as president of the Washington State Coaches Association, believes that survey was interpreted as an endorsement from the WSCA, which actually voted the idea down two months ago.

“I was stunned by the size of vote,” Fitterer said. “I never thought we’d have a shot clock until the National Federation got behind it and we’re nowhere close to that yet.”

Fitterer said he’s against the shot clock, but not adamantly.

“In all actuality, the only serious change will be the last couple minutes,” he said. “I don’t like having my control taken away if I’ve got a lead. That doesn’t necessarily mean spreading the ball, just using the clock smartly and making the other team come after you.”

Dean Wagenaar’s Sunnyside Christian boys program has a trophy case fill of hardware, most of which was obtained by frustrating defenses with a patient, deliberate offense. Might he be impacted more than most?

“We actually play a ton of games when we’re not very deliberate. People just notice it more at state when we’re looking for matchups,” Wagenaar said. “We like to stretch our possessions to get the best shot, but I don’t think a clock will be a huge change for our offense. But we might defend differently.”

One clarification from the Seattle Times story we ran following the Rep Assembly: The boys shot clock will be reset when the ball hits the rim, just as it is in girls basketball and men’s college and professional basketball.

Davis, Ike making a push

Two weeks ago, Davis and Eisenhower were just trying to make sure they finished among the top eight 4A soccer teams in the CBBN to earn a spot in the district tournament. With 0-3 starts, it was a chase for both.

Now they’re looking at hosting first-round games. That’s what a four-game win streak can do.

Davis (8-5) is done with its regular season and has already secured a district home opener. The Pirates sit in fourth but could slip to fifth if Eisenhower (7-5) beats Kennewick in Saturday’s final round of CBBN play.

Davis, which started 0-3, won six of its last seven and closed with a rush, beating two 9-3 teams in Kamiakin and Southridge. Andres Ruiz has scored nine goals, and Salvador Navarro has booted in six in the last four matches.

“We lost some close matches early in the season,” said Davis coach Armando Garcia, noting a 1-0 shootout loss to unbeaten Pasco in March. “We’ve just been scoring more lately. Defensively we’ve been pretty sound all season.”

Garcia especially likes the play of his midfielders — Jorge Sanchez, Walter Manriquez, Alexio Garcia and Rudy Sanchez.

“Those guys have been together since they were 5,” the coach said.

Tyler Suhm’s crew at Eisenhower, which owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over Davis, has outscored opponents 10-4 during its four-game streak.

“Like any team, we’ve made some changes as the season has gone on, but mainly it’s the boys getting to know each other’s playing style and the system we’re running,” noted Suhm, whose senior captain Sabdi Palma is headed to Columbia Basin College.

“Saturday is a big one,” he added. “Kennewick is a good team, and it’s a battle for home-field seeding.”

Strikeout record up to 19

As the search continues for the Valley’s single-game strikeout record — a mark Selah’s Jake Fife bid for with his 18 whiffs against Ellensburg on April 18 — a well-informed tip uncovered 19 for Marquette’s Scott McDonald in 1965.

McDonald’s big number came in a 10-2 win over West Valley in the Northern A League, which consisted of 12 teams from Cle Elum to Eisenhower to Toppenish. He allowed three hits and one walk.

Considered the state’s top pro prospect out of high school in 1965, McDonald was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles.

McDonald and teammate Ed LaBissoniere both had 18 strikeouts in a game that season — within three days of each other, in fact — but they were both in seven-inning games that would’ve ended after five if today’s mercy rule was employed.

5/1/09 This Week on Track

YAKIMA SPEEDWAY

Who’s racing: Late Models, Pure Stocks, Hornets, Youth Hornets, Bump to Pass.

When: Saturday. Gates open at 4 p.m., racing at 6.

Point leaders — Pure Stocks: Jay Younker 59, Ron Pepper 56, Jeff Liebert 54. Sportsman: Reese Kastl 59, Mel Patnode 58, Terry Taylor 47, Jesse Vincent 47. Super Street: Zach Beaman 56, Mike Easley 55, Bob Greiner 55.

Address: 1600 Pacific Ave., Yakima.

Track information: 248-0647 or www.yakimaspeedway.us

RENEGADE RACEWAY

Who’s racing: Street Legal Drags and Summit Series.

When — Saturday: Street Legal Drags. Gates open at 10 a.m., time trials 11:30 a.m., eliminations 2 p.m. Sunday: Summit Series No. 2. Gates open at 10 a.m., time trials 11:30 a.m., eliminations 2 p.m.

Address: 1395 No. Track Road, Wapato.

Track information: 877-4621 or www.renegaderaceway.com

STATE FAIR RACEWAY

Who’s racing: Modifieds, Sportsman, Stock cars, Hornets, Bump to Pass.

When: Saturday. Gates open at 6 p.m., racing at 7.

Address: Central Washington State Fairgrounds.

Track information: www.yakimaraceway.com

NASCAR SPRINT CUP

Russ Friedman 400

Site: Richmond, Va.

Schedule: Today, qualifying, 2:40 p.m. (Speed); Saturday, race, 4 p.m. (KCYU).

Track: Richmond International Raceway (0.75-mile D-shaped oval).

Race distance: 300 miles, 400 laps.

2008 champion: Clint Bowyer.

Next race: Southern 500, May 9, Darlington Raceway, Darlington, S.C.

Web site: www.nascar.com

NASCAR NATIONWIDE

Lipton Tea 250

Site: Richmond, Va.

Schedule: Today, qualifying, 1:10 p.m. (Speed), race, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Track: Richmond International Raceway (0.75-mile D-shaped oval).

Race distance: 187.5 miles, 250 laps.

2008 champion: Denny Hamlin.

Next race: Diamond Hill Plywood 200, May 8, Darlington Raceway, Darlington, S.C.

Web site: www.nascar.com

NHRA FULL THROTTLE

O’Reilly NHRA Midwest Nationals

Site: Madison, Ill.

Schedule: Friday, qualifying (ESPN2, 6-8 p.m.); Saturday, qualifying (ESPN2, 3-6 p.m.); Sunday, final eliminations (ESPN2, 3-5 p.m.).

Track: Gateway International Raceway.

2008 champion: Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car);Rod Fuller (Top Fuel), Kurt Johnson (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle).

Next event: NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, May 15-17, Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn.

Web site: www.nhra.com

GNAC cancels meet because of illness

SPOKANE, Wash. — The discovery of an apparent case of swine flu at Western Oregon University has prompted cancellation of the GNAC track and field championships on the Monmouth, Ore. campus, conference officials said Thursday night.

The meet, scheduled for today and Saturday, will not be rescheduled.

A four-game baseball series between Central Washington and Western Oregon has also been postponed.

A GNAC news release said a single case of swine flu has been found at Western Oregon, prompting closure of the campus at least through Monday.

“This is an unfortunate situation,” GNAC commissioner Richard Hannan said in the release, “but our No. 1 concern is the safety and welfare of everyone involved.”

A lone suspected case of swine flu in Spokane will not stop the annual Bloomsday road race this Sunday.

Organizers met with the Spokane Regional Health District Thursday and said afterwards that the race will go on. The 12-kilometer Bloomsday race annually draws more than 40,000 runners and is billed as the largest race in the nation in which all participants are timed.

Health officials in Spokane are still trying to make contact with a man suspected of having the swine flu. The man is described as in his 40s who recently returned from California and went to his doctor when he felt sick.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association is pushing back its championship events until at least next week amid dozens of school shutdowns in the Huntsville area, where two probable cases of swine flu were reported. The state track and field championships were scheduled for this weekend in Gulf Shores and Troy.

Special Olympics Texas, meanwhile, canceled its spring games a day after all public high school athletic competitions in the state were put off until May 11.

Mexico has been at the center of the flu outbreak and its sports have been badly disrupted. Mexican pro soccer matches this weekend — 176 in all — will be played in empty stadiums and a pair of Copa Libertadores matches were moved to Colombia next week. The Copa Libertadores is Latin America’s most prestigious club championship.

Back in the United States, the flu’s impact hasn’t yet hit major league sports.

Texas Rangers spokesman John Blake said team physician David Hunter is keeping in contact with local health organizations. The Rangers also have distributed an information sheet about the flu provided by Major League Baseball to all ballpark personnel.

“It is a concern, because we do travel a lot,” New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “We’re in places where there are big crowds all the time.”

Aces wild at SunTides; CWU fastpitch players lauded

YAKIMA, Wash. — The third hole at SunTides Golf course has been the site of some serious excitement lately — four aces in nine days.

On Wednesday, just one week after Highland golf coach Dennis Richardson aced the 130-yard third hole for the first hole-in-one of his life, Lou Anderson of Yakima aced the same hole.

Anderson achieved his feat with a 5-iron in front of witnesses Ron Thomas, Ron Whittaker and Bob McCutcheon. For Anderson, though, the accomplishment was nothing new; the 72-year-old, who still plays to an 11-handicap and shot his age three times last year, now has six holes-in-one, two of them having come at SunTides.

Also Wednesday,  Jeff Cowman scored his first hole-in-one when he aced the 158-yard 13th hole at SunTides Golf Course with a 7-iron. The shot, witnessed by Jake Harwood, was dedicated to Cowman’s father.

Then, on Thursday, Steve Adams of Spokane — in town to gain a little course knowledge before playing a two-man best-ball tournament this weekend — aced the 235-yard 17th hole with a 5-wood for his first hole-in-one. Witnesses were Steve Stough, Bill Miller and Nick Panerelli.

COLLEGE FASTPITCH

4 Wildcats on all-academic team

ELLENSBURG — Liz Wallace led a contingent of four Central Washington fastpitch players named Wednesday to the GNAC all-academic team.

A senior from Florence, Mont., Wallace has compiled a conference-best 3.94 grade point average in elementary education. It was Wallace’s third appearance on the all-academic squad.

Joining her on the team were senior Holly Rossman (3.35, law and justice), junior Katriina Reime (3.28, elementary education) and senior Jackie Hawkins (3.22, business/elementary education).

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

Central signs Kamiakin standout

ELLENSBURG — Marcy Hjellum, a Kamiakin High School standout, has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Central Washington, the university has announced.

A 5-foot-11 outside hitter, Hjellum was an all-state Class 4A selection last season after helping the Braves reach the state title match. She was also CBBN player of the year, having totaled 455 kills (4.8 per set) and 314 digs (3.2 per set).

SOCCER

AWARE event Saturday

The second annual AWARE Soccer Tournament – Goals In Action! is schedule for Saturday at Marquette Stadium.

The event, which includes games, prizes, live music and food, is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free.

There will be a 5-on-5 tournament with registration costing $250 per team. Tournament winners receive a $200 cash prize.

There also will be a free exhibition game with the Yakima Reds at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Melissa Dowd at AWARE, 509-248-2063.

Swine flu yet to affect prep sports schedules

YAKIMA, Wash. — While state and local school officials are keeping a close eye on the growing swine flu outbreak, they don’t expect to make any changes to currently scheduled athletic events.

“At this point, there is no plan for us to cancel anything,” Yakima School District athletic director Lee Maras said Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association issued a news release Thursday saying they have no plans to cancel events. The release also said the WIAA is in close contact with the Washington State Department of Health and Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and will issue “necessary updates as the situation continues to develop.”

In Yakima, Maras said the district has contingency plans in place if things change, and they are working closely with the local health district and will follow their recommendations. But right now, he said, there is “no reason to initiate anything more than precautionary measures.”

“As of right now, based on the information we have, we have not changed any of our activities,” Maras said.

The risk of contracting the flu while participating in or attending current athletic activities is lower because spring sports are contested outdoors and not in confined, enclosed spaces, according to Becky Scholl, executive director of student services and director of health services for the Yakima School District.

“Air and sunlight are good,” she said. “Almost as good as soap and water (as preventive measures).”

There has been growing concern about athletes’ safety across the country, with officials in Texas and Alabama postponing high school events in the wake of the outbreak. In Texas, prep events were put off until May 11, while Alabama is pushing back its championship events at least one week after dozens of school shutdowns in the Huntsville area, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

5/1/09 Prep Hot Tickets

SATURDAY

FASTPITCH: Selah (12-0) will put its unbeaten CWAC record on the line at Ellensburg (11-1) in a doubleheader that starts at 11 a.m. After Saturday both teams will have four conference games left.

TRACK: Sixteen teams will converge at Andreotti Stadium for the 20th annual Keith Jewett Invitational. Included in the field will be Eisenhower, Sunnyside, Ellensburg, East Valley, Wapato, Prosser, Kittitas and La Salle. Field events start at 10:30 a.m.

TUESDAY

BASEBALL: The top two teams in the CBBN’s Cascade Division will meet when West Valley (7-3, 12-6) hosts Richland (7-1, 14-2) in a 2 p.m. doubleheader. Richland is ranked fourth in 4A and West Valley is No. 9 in 3A.

GOLF: Boys teams from West Valley, Selah, Ellensburg, Grandview, Davis, Wapato and Highland are among those scheduled to compete in the Suncadia Invitational near Cle Elum. Play begins at 8 a.m.

5/1/09 Prep spotlights

CLASS 4A-3A

Chantel Jaeger, West Valley track, sophomore

The Rams’ standout sprinter leads the Valley in the 100 (12.35), 200 (25.30) and 400 (1:00.96) and has helped the Rams clock area-best times in the 4×100 and 4×200.

CLASS 2A

Josiah Jackson, Ellensburg tennis, junior

After placing third at state last year with doubles partner Aaron Porter, Jackson is unbeaten in No. 1 singles and a big reason the Bulldogs are 10-0 in CWAC matches.

CLASS 1A

Jose Zuniga, Granger soccer, senior

Five goals in the last two SCAC matches, including a hat trick on Tuesday, pushed Zuniga’s season total to 22 goals for the Spartans, who have won six of seven.

CLASS 2B-1B

Andrew Venema, Bickleton track, senior

Among the state’s top 1B athletes, Venema ranks second in the 110 hurdles, third in the high jump and fourth in the 300 hurdles. He placed at state last year in all three.

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