Whitmore looks back on winter sports

RITZVILLE - Another winter sports season is over for the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague athletic combine, which also includes Washtucna and Kehlotus.

While the spring sports coaches are already busy preparing for their season, The Journal asked Athletic Director Greg Whitmore to look back at the eventful basketball and wrestling seasons.

"All in all, it was a successful season." Whitmore said. "It isn't always all about the championships."

A successful season includes providing a fun, meaningful experience for the student athletes, he said, adding that's something he thinks was accomplished.

The boys basketball team took a big step forward this year. The Broncos' record was 15-5 in the regular season and 16-7 including postseason. This is quite an improvement from a year ago when they finished 7-13 in the regular season and 8-14 overall.

"They finished second in a very tough south-division league," Whitmore said. "That's a good thing. I know [head coach Dustin Arlt] is a little disappointed because four teams went to state and we were in the top four in the regular season. But unfortunately [the district tournament] didn't end well."

Whitmore said the coaching staff and players didn't want their season to end so soon.

"It's tough when you don't make it to the next step, so that's what we're trying to get back to," Whitmore said. "But overall, I think if you ask him about the season he'd be happy.

"He was cautiously optimistic at the start, but a lot of people didn't think we were going to be that good."

Arlt said the fact the team surpassed expectations didn't make failing to advance any easier.

He did, however, try to focus on some positives.

"We only won eight games last year," Arlt said. "We lost our leading scorer [to graduation] coming into this year.

"We only got four kids back who ever played varsity basketball. Team chemistry was a big thing. Last year I think that suffered."

The girls basketball team also had a strong regular season. Then, like the boys, the girls failed to get out of the district tournament. The Broncos finished the regular season 14-6 and were 15-8 after the tournament.

From Dec. 30 to Feb. 3, the Bronco girls went 10-1.

"Our girls team also played in a tough league," Whitmore said. "Liberty is one of the top teams in the state and we played them tough twice. We played them as well as anyone else did in the state."

"We just have to keep looking forward," head coach Steve Wellsandt said. "We have to look at what we can do better from this year. We just have to put the ball in the hole. It's a pretty simple game when you do that."

The girls team had a successful season off the court, winning the academic state championship award.

The LRS wrestling team saw four grapplers make it to the state championship tournament. Two won medals there. Johnny Ryan won the silver medal at 113 pounds and Douglas Morris took fourth place at 195 pounds.

"Anytime you have kids who make it to state is a good thing," Whitmore said. "But to get medals, and in Johnny's case, to have a chance to win a state title, is incredible."

"I'm ecstatic with the way those kids wrestled," Coach Jason Hilzer said.

Now, Whitmore says he is ready for spring.

"Any change in the sports season brings renewed energy," Whitmore said. "After a long fall season, the kids are ready to come indoors and start their basketball and wrestling seasons. Then it becomes a long indoor season and they are ready to get back outside."

Whitmore also said the weather is cooperating so far.

"The start we are having is great," Whitmore said. "Last year we were shoveling snow."