A Look at Local Basketball

Local basketball teams have gotten a break over the holidays, and the downtime provides a natural pause point to evaluate each team’s standing and to speculate about the remainder of the season.

1A Basketball

The Colville girls entered the break at 4-3, a strong mark considering the level of competition on their early schedule. The Lady Crimson Hawks have topped 50 points three times and shown a physical presence in the paint, giving them a foundation to build on, once league play begins. Andee Kroiss, Georgia Beardlee, Aubree Kubesh and Rylee Brisby have all emerged as top scorers, and Colville appears to be well-positioned for the postseason. 

The Colville boys have flashed one of the more explosive offenses in the region. The Crimson Hawks have scored 70-plus points twice and topped 60 once, with Jet Bateman, Parker Darnold, Crew Bridgeman and Brock Benson all reaching double figures in multiple games. Colville’s ability to stretch defenses was evident in a 12 3-pointer performance against Deer Park, and when the offense is clicking, they are difficult to contain. The team sits at 3-4.

2B Boys Basketball

Kettle Falls matched last season’s win total early, and opened the year 5-1 before running into a demanding stretch against upper-tier opponents. Close losses to 1A Omak and 2A Deer Park, along with league challenges, have left the Bulldogs at 5-5 overall and 1-3 in NE 2B play. Mace Thivierge has been a bright spot, highlighted by a 34-point performance against undefeated Northwest Christian.

Chewelah continues to trend upward. The Cougars are already two wins shy of last season’s total after opening with four straight victories and later bouncing back from losses to state powers Northwest Christian and Reardan. Wins over Newport and Mary Walker, including a 67-19 rout of the Chargers, have Chewelah at 5-3 overall and 1-2 in league play. Ryen McMillin has proven capable of 20-plus point nights, while Chewelah’s balance makes them dangerous on any given evening. Franky Sety, Grady Skok and the well-named Kannon Sheppard make this a difficult team to guard. 

2B Girls Basketball

Kettle Falls has struggled in the win column but has a clear centerpiece in Wyn Edwards, who has been a consistent force. At 2-8 overall, the Lady Bulldogs still have league opportunities ahead, having yet to face the bottom half of the NE 2B standings.

Chewelah earned a much-needed boost just after Christmas with a 34-26 comeback win over Springdale, its first victory of the season. Jessika Davis and Sara Vioni have been steady scoring threats, and the Cougars’ 34-point output marked their second-highest scoring game dating back to last season. Chewelah enters the new year at 1-7 overall and 0-4 in league play.

1B Boys Basketball

Northport has been the offensive standard in northeast Washington, rolling into the break undefeated in league play (7-2 overall, 5-0 league). The Mustangs posted eye-catching wins over Curlew (92-48) and Republic (83-63), with Pete Beardslee capable of taking over games with 30-point performances.

Inchelium sits firmly in the league mix at 4-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play. Derek Perez, Caleb Abrahamson, and Gaige Stensgar have all delivered double-digit scoring efforts, giving the Hornets a solid offensive core. Wellpinit has also made noise at 5-2 overall, consistently scoring more than 60 points per game and positioning itself as a team to watch when postseason play arrives.

1B Girls Basketball

Republic has set the early pace in the NE 1B, entering Christmas break unbeaten at 8-0 overall and 4-0 in league play. Northport nearly handed the Tigers their first loss in a 30-26 battle on Dec. 20. Despite starting several eighth-graders, the Lady Mustangs have shown composure beyond their years and sit at 5-3 overall and 2-3 in league play, though they dropped three straight heading into the break.

Inchelium remains a contender behind the scoring brilliance of Marianna Agapith, who is capable of erupting for 30 or more points on any night. The Lady Hornets are 4-3 overall and 3-2 in league play, firmly in the conversation as the second half of the season begins.

As league schedules ramp up after the holiday break, northeast Washington teams appear poised for a competitive and unpredictable second half, with several squads already laying the groundwork for postseason runs.