Vikes impress in early hoop action

Garfield/Palouse center Nathan Cocking rips down a rebound in front of LW forward Jeff Zimmer in the Vikings' 67-57 win Friday night at Palouse.

Garfield/Palouse boys showed they have enough offense to make their defense hold up by starting off the hoops non-league season with a pair of double-digit wins over the weekend.

Coach Tim Coles, who was worried about his club’s attack entering the season, was encouraged by the weekend’s performances.

“Let’s hope we can keep it up,” said Coles.

Steven Griffin had his outside shot working in Friday’s home opener, knocking down four treys and putting up 26 points in a 67-57 win over visiting LaCrosse/Washtucna in a non-league matchup. Blake Slocum added 21 for the Vikes, and center Nathan Cocking ripped down 16 rebounds. Tigercat Jeff Zimmer splashed through 19 points, despite only playing ten minutes because of foul trouble.

Freshman Race Martin announced his presence Saturday in GP’s 63-53 win over visiting Lakeside of Plummer. In his second game, the young forward tallied 12 points and 13 rebounds. Slocum put down 17 to pace the Vikings.

The Tigercats bounced back after Friday night’s loss for two wins.

Tuesday, Tri-Cities Prep traveled to the LaCrosse gym and took a 10-point loss back to Pasco. Taking advantage of their size, the T-cats booked a 57-47 win over the former league opponents. Jeff Zimmer topped the scoring attack with 19 points.

LW spoiled in spectacular fashion the opening game of the new Odessa/Harrington cooperative Saturday night in Harrington, topping the Titans 74-46.

Zimmer again led the way with 22 points, as the ‘cats opened a 13-4 lead and rode cruise control to the easy win.

LW opens league play Saturday night with a home match against Colton, which opened the season with a pair of slugfest losses to Idaho opponents.

Tuesday, the Wildcats fell 54-31 at Grangeville, as the smaller Bulldogs used a 27-3 third quarter charge. Dustin Patchen, the ‘cats 6’7” post, booked 13 points to lead the ‘cats. Grangeville had seven hoopsters hit buckets.

Colton opened with a 48-37 loss last Thursday night at Genesee. Patchen again paced the ‘cats, coming up with a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds.

Coach Seth Payne said the lack of a shot clock on the Idaho courts hampered his team’s attack.

Rosalia posted a split in its two matchups against non-league rivals.

Scott Eberle put up 18 points to lead the Spartan attack in a 44-36 win over Liberty Friday night. Rosalia’s charge came in the second quarter, as the Spartans grabbed the lead midway through the second frame. They iced the game by holding the Lancers to just three points in the third quarter. Flash Hodges chipped in nine points.

Saturday night, the Spartans lost a 55-54 nail-biter to Wellpinit in a brewing rivalry between the two squads. The two squads met twice last year, with Rosalia booking a 61-58 December win on a Nathan Richards zap shot. Wellpinit returned the favor in the state tournament at Yakima with a 63-53 win that spoiled the Spartans’ perfect season.

Rosalia jumped out to a 14-point lead in the first quarter, but Wellpinit chipped away through the rest of the game, finally taking a lead at the end of the third box.

Eberle again led Rosalia scorers with 12. Jared Hereford added 11 and D.J. Brown 10. Kennedy Selyer’s 17 points were tops for Wellpinit.

Tekoa/Oakesdale split a couple of road games in its opening weekend.

Friday, the Nighthawks fell at Asotin 53-41. Center Max Mueller hung 17 on the Panthers, but it was not enough to offset the 20 points and 15 rebounds put up by Ben Servatius. The Nighthawks bounced back Saturday with a 54-25 blowout of host Potlatch.