Colton girls issue notice to open sixth state bid

When a team puts down 98 points in the state’s regional ground of 16, does that signal a preview of things to come when the team advances to the final eight in the 1B title show at the Spokane Arena?

Most coaches and fans in the SE 1B league this winter would answer the question with a yes.

Besides its undefeated credentials for this season, Colton’s Wildcats will arrive in Spokane today with an unprecedented record of five state title wins.

The Wildcats, who have been wearing a “tix for six” logo on their team shirts sounded the opening bell of their charge for number six last Saturday when they rolled out the 98-36 crunch over Yakama Tribal in the regional match at the end of a long regional card at Cheney High School.

The matchup did not bode well for the Eagles, who were the number-two entrants out of the Yakama Valley league. That means they have been topped by Sunnyside Christian, a team which was stopped by Tekoa-Oakesdale in the regional round at Eisenhower High in Yakima Friday night.

Tekoa-Oakesdale has stalked Colton through the winter campaign, but they have been unable to get close to the defending champs at all junctures. The last round was the 62-28 crunch Colton put on the `hawks in the SE title game at Colfax.

Colton Saturday night at Cheney started with a 30-8 run over Yakama Tribal in the first quarter. The Eagles, like most foes this year, were rattled by Colton’s fast tempo, and Colton speared a series of steals to dominate the opening minutes.

After the first quarter Yakama coach Everett Howe urged his players to “keep your heads up” and the blue-clad Eagles began to find some traction in the second quarter.

Yakama was led this year by senior Lyndell Wapsheli, who had averaged 19 points for the year. Junior Athena Wapsheli had averaged almost 15 points for the year. Together they hit 28 against the Wildcats.

Colton was led by Jenna Moser who scored 36 in the regional win. She hit nine three-point shots for the Wildcats who totaled 19 treys for the game. Zoe Moser, Haley Meyer and Savannah Chadwick each hit three.

The Wildcats finished with a 19-2 run in the last quarter against the Eagles.

Tribal finished the season with a 15-9 record.

Senior Jenna Moser will lead Colton into this year’s final eight, her last, with a 21.1 scoring average. Sister Zoe has compiled a 17.1 average for the season.

Hannah Kramer, Jackie Warner and Heather Young are the other seniors who will finish out their Colton hoop careers at the Arena this week.

Colton will open their bid for a sixth straight title bid tonight in the 9 p.m. slot against against Tulalip Heritage, a team which qualified with a 68-42 win over Mary Knight in the west side regional.

The Wildcats are bracketed opposite the Wilbur-Creston-Pateros game. Wilbur Creston qualified on a 77-49 win over Muckleshoot Tribal.

Tekoa-Oakesdale is bracketed on the opposite side of the eight and will open against Neah Bay which bumped Wellpinit 61-42 in the regional round.

Colton 98-Yakama Tribal 36: 30/8 41/20 8/6 19/2: Jenna Moser 11 (9 3pt) 5-6 36, Zoe Moser 7 (3-3pt) 1-2 18, Haley Meyer 3 (3-3pt) 4-4 13, Winnie Schultheis 2 0-04, Hannah Kramer 3 (3pt) 0-0 7, Savannah Chadwick 3 (3-3pt) 0-0 9, Heather Young 1 0-0- 2, Jackie Warner 4 0-2 8, Rachel Meyer 0 1-2 1. Total : 34 11-21 f-12 98. Yakama Tribal: Athena Wapsheli 5 (3-3pt) 2-2 15, Lyndal Wapsheli 4 (2-3pt) 13, Mariah Hicks 2 0-0 4, Melannie Belly 1 2-2 4. Total: 12 7-9 f-12 36.

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