Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Some players did not return for this season
PALOUSE — Garfield-Palouse Vikings boys basketball Coach Steve Swinney prepared for the start of the 2020-21 basketball season to have his 12 returning players.
Two days before the first practice he found out it would be eight. When he walked into the gym it was seven.
A few veterans did not come out, including senior post player Jacob Anderson. A promising sophomore transferred to Pullman after spring break.
“Kids said they didn’t want to wear masks,” said Swinney. “For the ones that came out, I was kind of shocked to see them at first. They were a little subdued. But the seven I’ve got have been doing a great job.”
Starters in 2021 are point guard senior Austin Jones, juniors Jaxon Orr, Cameron Merrill, Kyle Bankus, and freshman Liam Orfe.
The Vikings are 4-1 with wins over Colton, Pomeroy, Sunnyside Christian, in which Jones hit a key shot, got a steal and made a free throw to seal it, and Valley Christian.
“Austin Jones – he’s playing the best basketball of his career,” Swinney said. “And, (we get) great leadership from him. I’m really proud of this group of kids. They’ve showed a lot of heart and courage.”
They lost to Wellpinit 62-57. Jones led with 24 points while Orr had 18.
At Valley Christian, Garfield-Palouse won 50-35 as Jones scored 21 and Orr 19. Valley Christian had five total players and four others were out to quarantine.
Garfield-Palouse play next at Wilbur-Creston then against St. John-Endicott-LaCrosse at Washtucna.
“(And) that’s our season,” said Swinney.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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