Vikings knock off Wildcats

PALOUSE - In a highly-anticipated battle between Whitman County rivals, the Garfield-Palouse girls basketball team and the Colton Wildcats, the Vikings emerged victorious, eliminating the Wildcats from state playoff contention.

The Vikings and Wildcats played on Friday, Feb. 16, in Dayton.

In the game, the Wildcats would struggle to score against the height and length of the Vikings. Colton would fall 29-42 to the Vikings.

Although the Wildcats have height throughout their lineup, particularly with Ella Nollmeyer, Kyndra Stout and Clair Moehrle, the height from Zoe Laughary and Elena Flansburg of the Vikings proved too powerful over the course of the game.

One strength from the Vikings all season long has been their full-court press, which was in full effect against the Wildcats.

Colton struggled to move the ball past their half court line, where the Vikings turned their turnovers into easy baskets as the Vikings earned the 13-point victory.

Colton would make a strong push early in the fourth quarter, but the hill proved too steep to climb.

The Wildcats season has come to an end, however, they finished with an impressive 16-7 overall record. With two seniors, Stout and Kaydee Heitstuman graduating, the team could be in contention for a solid run at the state tournament next season.

For the Vikings, they enter the state tournament as the 12th seed. Their first game will be played on Saturday, Feb. 24, in Cheney High School against Pateros. The game will tip-off at 6 p.m.

A win for Garfield-Palouse Saturday, Feb. 24, will see the Vikings play Wednesday, Feb. 28, at a site yet to be finalized. A loss Saturday will see the Vikings season end.

Also in action in the district tournament was the Garfield-Palouse Vikings boys basketball team.

The Vikings took on the Pomeroy Pirates on Wednesday, Feb. 14, in Dayton.

The Vikings struggled through three quarters, but took a four-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, they could not close the game, losing 41-46, with their season coming to an end.

"We made huge improvements from last year to this year while making a run in the district tournament. We will miss Colton Pfaff and the inside presence and strength he brought to the team," said Head Coach Nate Holbrook.

The Vikings boys finished this season with a 14-8 overall record, last season, the team had a 3-19 record.

Lane Collier led the Vikings in their game against Pomeroy with 22 total points. Brendan Snekvik had nine points, and Landon Orr had five points, all in the second quarter.