Closeout time

We are nearing another sports season change in the next week with spring sports officially beginning on February 26th in the state of Washington. The Washington State basketball tournament finals take place at three venues on February 28th and the champions crowned on March 2nd.

So we go from indoor to outdoor and the first few weeks always seem to be a bit chilly. This is a time when a wide variety of athletes will perform. Baseball, softball, track, tennis and golf will be competing all over the area.

Before we get to the new season let’s wrap up the winter activities and recognize those efforts. Boys’ basketball had a difficult season with the loss of the majority of their offense from a year ago. But the boys played hard and gave their best efforts. There were several injuries and matchups were not always beneficial for the Broncos. At District the Broncos lost to NWC and then were eliminated by Davenport in a close loser out game. The Bronco boys placed two players on the South Division all league team. They are Senior Brock Kinch and Freshman Joey Duff. Duff was named despite a season ending injury that cut short a promising freshman year. Congratulations Brock and Joey.

The girls’ team had a decent season and won their first district tournament game against NWC. They lost to Colfax and Liberty but still had a chance to make a Crossover game but would lose out to NWC. A young Bronco team learned a lot during the season and hopefully the hunger will be there next December to put it together for a successful run to the playoffs. Earning NE 2B South Division 2nd team honors were senior Harlee Hennings and sophomore Saige Galbreath. Sophomore Zoe Galbreath was a 1st team selection. Congratulations Harlee, Saige and Zoe.

The Bronco wrestling team had a highly successful year sending four to state. At regionals these four earned a spot at the Mat Classic at the Tacoma Dome: Octavio Pardes-Martinez placed 3rd at 113 lbs; Carson Kubik 1st at 144 lbs; Gabe Smith 1st at 215; and Brock Tracy 1st place at 285.

At the Mat Classic competition in Tacoma Tracy finished in 5th place and Gabe Smith wrapped up a great senior season by earning the 215 lb championship. He is the first Bronco wrestling champ since 2010. Congratulations to the entire Bronco wrestling team. Although wrestling may be an individual sport it is the competition from the entire team and camaraderie that makes wrestling a great sport for so many athletes.

Just about every athlete that competed in winter sports for LRS were also part of the football or volleyball teams last fall. And many of these same athletes will be competing in the spring in some capacity. It isn’t easy to be a three sport athlete but it is necessary at a small school.

There are a few athletes from other league schools that have athletes that focus on one sport like baseball or basketball or volleyball or softball. But the need to fill out rosters is dependent upon kids that are focused on being a well-rounded athlete with loyalties to the school offering those team sport options.

I’ve seen a lot of teams from these schools that put together championship caliber teams that rallied during the season and realized their hard work was paying off. Success is a lot more fun than nonsuccess and their personal investment will pay dividends.

We’ve had weird weather in late February and getting excited to run in cold weather or warm up a pitching arm takes a lot of want to. But by late April when the Undeberg Invitational takes place or a key doubleheader for the baseball or softball teams, a tennis match on a warm afternoon or a league match on a local golf course in early May all of the hard work and dedication should get young athletes and their coaches excited. It will be fun to watch the progress.

As we closeout one season for another I’m hoping for good weather and continued success for our Bronco athletes.

— Dale Anderson is a sports columnist from Ritzville. To contact him, email [email protected].