Vikings boys and girls continue fight for state berths

PALOUSE - Garfield-Palouse are one of three Whitman County teams to still have both their boys and girls basketball programs competing for the right to play in the state tournament.

The Oakesdale Nighthawks boys and girls are the only two current local schools guaranteed to compete in the state tournament. Colfax have to play a crossover match on Saturday, Feb. 17, and the Colton Wildcat girls are competing alongside the Viking girls.

The Viking boys played their district playoff game on Saturday, Feb. 10, against Yakama Tribal. The game took place in Palouse, with the Vikings coming out on top, 52-40.

"Yakama Tribal was a tough game. They play hard and can really shoot the three," said Head Coach Nate Holbrook.

With the win, the Viking boys advanced to a loser-out match, played on Wednesday, Feb. 14, in Dayton. The game was against the Pomeroy Pirates, who have beaten the Vikings twice already this season.

If the Vikings defeated the Pirates Wednesday, Feb. 14, they will play Friday, Feb. 16, in a winner-to-state match. Look for results from the game Wednesday on the Whitman County Gazette website.

The Viking girls took the top-seed Sunnyside Christian down to the wire, before eventually losing 43-35.

"We have played well so far in the district tournament. We played well on both offense and defense vs. LC. I thought our defense played pretty well vs. SSC, we just couldn't get the baskets we needed in the fourth quarter of that game," said Head Coach Garrett Parrish.

In the game against Sunnyside Christian, Elena Flansburg led the way with 15 points for the Vikings. She also had four rebounds and four steals.

Kyra Brantner had five points and three rebounds.

The Vikings played their next district playoff match against Yakama Tribal on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

"We know Yakama will be tough, they are a good offensive team and they are very disruptive on defense, they get their hands on the ball a lot and cause a lot of turnovers," said Parrish.

If Garfield-Palouse win against Yakama Tribal, they will play a winner-to-state match against either Liberty Christian or Colton. The game will be Friday, Feb. 16, in Dayton at 2:30 p.m.

The girls team have not taken on Yakama Tribal this season.

Yakama Tribal are 14-4 on the season. The Eagles have an 8-3 record in their district, and are looking to advance to the state playoffs.

State playoffs will start Friday, Feb. 23, and will run until Saturday, Mar. 2, when both a 1B girls and boys state champion will be crowned.