Scheduling next hurdle for Wa-Hi in new sports league
WALLA WALLA — Two months have gone by since the formation of the Mid-Columbia League, and Wa-Hi is still trying to play catch-up.The crux of the issue for the Blue Devils is scheduling. With all of the uncertainty surrounding the new league, and the messy
Irish pick up early victory over Mac-Hi
The Pioneers look to bounce back after a 22-3, 10-run mercy-rule loss to DeSales that ended after five innings Wednesday.
MILTON-FREEWATER — The Mac-Hi Pioneers struggled in all aspects of the game Wednesday against DeSales at McRae-Ireland Field.They struggled on the mound (five hit batters, 20 earned runs), in the field (four errors) and at the plate en route to a 22-3, 10
Baumgarts power Irish golf teams to victories
Ryan and Emily Baumgart lead the DeSales boys and girls teams to wins at the three-way match.
WALLA WALLA — The DeSales golf team, behind medal performances from brother and sister Ryan and Emily Baumgart, came out on top of a three-way match between Southeast 2B Conference foes at the Veterans Memorial Golf Course Tuesday.Powered by Ryan Baumgart
Rain can't dampen Walla Walla Invite
Schools of all sizes compete at Wa-Hi's track and field meet Thursday.
WALLA WALLA — The weather was anything but perfect at Martin Field Thursday afternoon, but a constant drizzle and a strong wind didn't dampen the mood at the Walla Walla Invite.The invite included Oregon 5A schools Hermiston and Pendleton, Washington 4A h
W-M's Entze accepts offer to play for MHCC
ATHENA — Weston-McEwen's Morgan Entze, a three-sport standout, announced recently that she will be attending the Portland-area Mount Hood Community College on full tuition waivers for both softball and volleyball.Although Entze had received interest from
McRae-Ireland renovation fundraising nearing end
Years after the original stands at McRae-Ireland Field were torn down, Blue Mountain Babe Ruth looks to build bigger, better ones.
MILTON-FREEWATER — The Blue Mountain Babe Ruth (BMBR) league, and the City of Milton-Freewater and the Milton-Freewater School District, are inching closer to raising the funds needed to construct a new grandstand at the McRae-Ireland baseball field, loca
Record night for Walla Walla's Howerton at Bowlaway Lanes
Rick Howerton breaks the city mark as he records an 879 series Saturday at Bowlaway Lanes.
WALLA WALLA — Rick Howerton set an impressive mark at Bowlaway Lanes in Walla Walla Saturday.The 58-year-old bowler scored an 879 in a series of three games during the Marley and Dave Jacobs Memorial Tournament while bowling cleanup for a three-man team,
Titans drub Warrior hardballers
Tacoma Community College overwhelms Walla Walla Community College in a doubleheader Saturday, 9-1 and 7-3.
WALLA WALLA — Walla Walla Community College dropped a pair of NWAACC non-region baseball games to visiting Tacoma Community College Saturday, losing the first game 9-1 and the second 7-3.'Tacoma is a good team," Warrior coach Dave Meliah said. 'It was a g
Defense key for Wa-Hi hardballers
A new season brings new faces, new bats and a new mantra for the Blue Devil baseball team.
WALLA WALLA — For the past two seasons Wa-Hi' baseball team's mantra has been, 'We will work hard." That work ethic paid off in a big way last season as the Blue Devils won the Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference regular season title with an 11-1 league re
Wa-Hi softball gearing up for state title run
Wa-Hi's softball team returns all but two from a squad that captured the first state title in school and CBBN history.
WALLA WALLA — Dynasty.It's not a word high school athletes and coaches throw around lightly, and the Wa-Hi softball team is no exception.From head coach Jerry Humphreys on down, the Blue Devils seem to take each practice — and game — one day at a time.
Big Wa-Hi influence on 2012 Warrior squad
Five players from last year's successful Blue Devil squad join the WWCC baseball roster this season.
WALLA WALLA — Didn't get enough of Wa-Hi's 2011 baseball campaign?The 2012 version of the Walla Walla Community College Warriors features five members of last season's Wa-Hi senior class that led the Blue Devils to a Big Nine championship, a regional cham
Dayton boys face tough Toutle Lake squad at state tournament
The 23-1 Bulldogs are ranked fifth as they head to Spokane in hopes of their first state championship since 1995.
DAYTON — Dayton hasn't won a basketball state championship in 17 years (since 1995, when the current iteration of the Bulldogs were still in diapers or unborn). But with a senior-heavy roster and a balanced attack, the Bulldogs have their best chance of r
Pomeroy's Knebel unmatched on the mats
Despite his unparalleled success on the mats, Pomeroy senior Tory Knebel stays humble.
POMEROY — Tory Knebel's record (or the records he broke) speaks for itself. The Pomeroy High senior wrestler, footballer and track athlete won the WIAA Class B state wrestling championship twice ­— 170 pounds this year and at 160 his junior year — and ama
Weston-McEwen girls headed to state
ATHENA — The Weston-McEwen girls are gearing up for the state tournament. Again.One year after falling to the Mountain View Conference's Riddle 52-41 in the opening round of the 2011 Oregon Class 2A state tournament, the fifth-seeded TigerScots face No. 4
TigerScot boys prepping for state
Weston-McEwen brings an experienced squad to Saturday's match with Oakland.
ATHENA — A season removed from a 1-2 effort at state last year, and one more season removed from a one-and-done foray, Weston-McEwen is again prepping for its entrée into the Oregon Class 2A boys state tournament. And, despite having one of the leading sc
Pioneers test mettle at district tourney
Mac-Hi brings 13 battle-hardened grapplers to the Special District 2 tournament Friday and Saturday.
MILTON-FREEWATER — Mac-Hi may not have a great record on the mats — its 3-10 dual-meet record doesn't leap off the page — but the Pioneers' season has been marred by forfeit after forfeit thanks to sickness and injuries.But that doesn't bother Mac-Hi wres
Waitsburg-Prescott girls overwhelm Knights
Waitsburg-Prescott ends WWVA's season with a 65-31 loss in the District 9 2B tournament Tuesday.
WAITSBURG — Romance wasn't in the air — and no Cinderella story to be found — Tuesday night in the opening round of the Southeast 2B girls District 9 Tournament between Waitsburg-Prescott and Walla Walla Valley Academy.No. 3-seeded W-P dispatched No. 6 WW
Waitsburg-Prescott's Zach Bartlow opts for Eastern Oregon
Zach Bartlow, who led Waitsburg-Prescott to the Class 2B state title last fall, heads to La Grande.
WAITSBURG — All that remains in the long recruiting process for Waitsburg-Prescott standout Zach Bartlow is some paperwork.Bartlow chose Eastern Oregon University in La Grande over an offer from Montana Western on Wednesday, as well as walk-on offers at I
Wa-Hi wrestlers step into spotlight
Wa-Hi's wrestlers have a mid-season call to arms, and now seven Blue Devils are headed to this weekend's regional tournament in Moses Lake.
WALLA WALLA — Wa-Hi wrestling coach Clayton Hudiburg knew something was wrong.After a 43-24 throttling at the hands of Richland Dec. 8, Hudiburg realized his wrestlers were going into matches with the wrong attitude — they were expecting to lose.To the se
Blue Devil boys, girls trade places at district
This year, the Wa-Hi girls host their first district game and the boys hit the road.
WALLA WALLA — This time last year, the Wa-Hi boys were sitting pretty with a first-round home match against Moses Lake in the first round of the District 5/6 Tournament, while the girls faced a long drive to Wenatchee for their postseason opener.
Three Walla Walla Valley athletes move up to college ranks
Moe Handcox, Chantelle Zamora and Zach Bartlow are all making the leap to college sports.
WALLA WALLA — Three Walla Walla Valley athletes are taking their game to the college level this season; Wa-Hi's Moe Handcox and Chantelle Zamora announced their intentions to play at Central Washington and Walla Walla Community College, respectively, whil
Wa-Hi welcomes Hall inductees
Seven new Hall of Fame members join the club between Wa-Hi basketball games Saturday.
WALLA WALLA — The Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame welcomes seven new members into its ranks Saturday during the intermission between Wa-Hi's boys and girls basketball games against Chiawana.
Irish treys can't keep up with Sunnyside Christian
DeSales' girls hit seven 3-pointers, but they aren't enough as the Knights take the 41-32 victory Tuesday night in the Irish gym.
WALLA WALLA — DeSales' Irish struggled to contain Sunnyside Christian's Marisa Broersma Tuesday night, allowing the 5-foot-11 senior to put up 13 points in a 41-32 loss to the Knights in nonconference girls basketball.
Knights' Wagenaar too much for Irish
Trevor Wagenaar scores 24 points in Sunnyside Christian's 58-34 victory over the DeSales boys Tuesday night.
WALLA WALLA — Sunnyside Christian's Trevor Wagenaar connected on 10 of 22 shots and sank three free throws for 24 points to help the Knights to a 58-34 victory over host DeSales Tuesday night.
PANORAMA - A break in plans
WALLA WALLA - Brennan Barberich worked hard to go to the Junior Academic All-American Game.He held bake-sales, washed cars and held fundraisers. He also worked out with his father, Brent Barberich, to improve his conditioning, and has attended several foo
Tri-Cities schools start new league, Wa-Hi joining
The new league looks to have bylaws and a name established within a month.
RICHLAND — The as-of-yet-unnamed Tri-Cities (and Walla Walla) league is a go.Officials from the Tri-Cities decided to move ahead with a new league centered on the three cities Friday morning after pulling out of negotiations to save the former Columbia Ba
Forfeits hurt Pioneer grapplers in duals
Mac-Hi's wrestlers dominate the matches they compete in, but drop dual-match scores to Ontario and Riverside with forfeits.
MILTON-FREEWATER — Mac-Hi mauled its opponents on the mats Thursday night in the Mac-Hi gymnasium, winning 5-of-6 matches against Ontario and 5-of-8 against Riverside. But, thanks to five forfeits in each dual, the Pioneers ended up with two losses in the
New Tri-Cities league topic of meeting today
Walla Walla Public Schools superintendent Mick Miller is attending a meeting today regarding the formation of a new athletic league that Wa-Hi is likely to join.
WALLA WALLA — For weeks, the future of the Columbia Basin Big Nine (CBBN) was uncertain.The Big Nine was embroiled in heated debate over an 8-7 vote on Dec. 15 by the leagues' principals to abolish the current divisions based on classification and establi
Wolves women to open Hoops Classic tonight
The Classic has games involving Walla Walla University, Salish Kootenai and Northwest Indian College slated.
COLLEGE PLACE — The Walla Walla University women's basketball team is hosting its annual Hoops Classic this week. The Classic features three matches between WWU, Salish Kootenai and Northwest Indian College.
Wa-Hi with Tri-Cities in Columbia Basin Big Nine decision
Whichever way the CBBN might go, Wa-Hi remains linked with schools in the Tri-Cities, officials say.
WALLA WALLA — As the Tri-Cities go, so goes Walla Walla Public Schools, Superintendent Mick Miller said Wednesday.According to reports Tuesday, the Columbia Basin Big Nine (CBBN) decided to delay a final decision on reworking the divisions of the Big Nine
Mariners Caravan rolls into Sherwood Center
Mariners pitchers Blaker Beavan and Tom Wilhelmsen join ex-catcher Dave Valle to meet fans Thursday evening.
WALLA WALLA — The 2012 edition of the Mariners Caravan came rolling into Walla Walla Thursday afternoon, bearing prizes and players for a short question-and-answer session and autograph signing at Whitman's Sherwood Center.The Caravan is organized by the
Pioneers, Pease part ways after 14 years
Mac-Hi's football team is moving ‘in a different direction' after coach Chuck Pease's contract isn't renewed.
MILTON-FREEWATER — After 14 years on the Mac-Hi varsity football coaching staff — four as the head coach — Chuck Pease is no longer the head football coach at Mac-Hi.The school district elected not to renew Pease's contract Nov. 17 after he was given the
FERENZ, PARTY OF FIVE
Since arriving in the Walla Walla Valley a decade ago, the Ferenz family has had a marked impact on Valley hoops.
WALLA WALLA — Many families have a 'thing." That is, they have something, be it a hobby, sport, profession or something else, that draws them together. The Ferenz's (Ferenzi? Ferenzites? Ferenzes?) family of Walla Walla have basketball — all five of them.
Bruising Barberich
Walla Walla football standout Brennan Barberich has been selected to play in an all-American game during Fiesta Bowl week in Phoenix.
WALLA WALLA — Brennan Barberich, a 13-year-old standout on the Garrison Middle School football team at running back and linebacker, is a bruising, powerful running back. But sometimes it can be hard to know just how good one is at the middle school level.
Blue Devil boys bounce Bulldogs
Rob Ferenz leads Wa-Hi with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the 78-68 win over Hermiston.
WALLA WALLA — Taking a break from Columbia Basin Big Nine play, the Wa-Hi boys earned their first win in three games with a 78-68 victory over visiting Hermiston Wednesday night.Rob Ferenz led the Blue Devils with 24 points and 10 rebounds on the night —
Big city birthday
A Walla Walla native is surprised with a trip to Chicago to see the Bears for his 30th birthday.
WALLA WALLA — For his 30th birthday Sept. 15, Travis Grove, a Walla Walla native and Wa-Hi class of 2000, got a dream present.After opening 29 presents, his wife, Jodi, took their 10-month-old daughter, Kensley, upstairs and changed her into a Chicago Bea
Buckaroos dismantle Blue Devils
Pendleton grabs 12 steals and forces 23 Wa-Hi turnovers as the Bucks run to a 60-32 boys basketball victory Tuesday.
WALLA WALLA — Led by guard Deon Davis' 17 points — and more importantly five steals — the Pendleton Buckaroos dismantled the Wa-Hi boys Tuesday night, racking up 12 steals and 23 turnovers en route to a 60-32 victory.The Blue Devils were in a hole from th
WARRIOR TURNS MISSIONARY
Shiann Dreadfulwater stays local with a move from WWCC to Whitman this Fall.
WALLA WALLA — Talk to Walla Walla Community College women's basketball coach Bobbi Hazeltine and it's obvious Shiann Dreadfulwater was a large part of the success Warrior basketball had in 2010-11.The Warriors finished last season as the runners-up in the
Hitting the Mats
Pioneer wrestler Ryan Bullock sets his eyes on the Class 4A state championship.
MILTON-FREEWATER — Mac-Hi's Ryan Bullock was one match away from wrestling for the Oregon Class 4A state title last season when he fell in an overtime decision to eventual champion Tyler Stigall.'It was close,” senior wrestler Bullock said. 'It was tied i
Mac-Hi ready to hit the mats for 2011-12
MILTON-FREEWATER — Mac-Hi is looking to reestablish its tradition as a wrestling powerhouse this season after placing 10th at last year's competition thanks to a string of injuries.The Pioneers return five wrestlers that competed at state last season, and
Pomeroy returns four state finishers from 2010-11
Pomeroy's wrestling team is poised to make a run for state — again.The Pirates return four wrestlers who placed at state last year, including state champion Tory Knebel, who won state last year in the 160-pound weight class and is top-ranked heading into
Junior heavy Wa-Hi looks to make state run
WALLA WALLA — The Wa-Hi Blue Devil wrestling team features solid depth for the 2011-12 season as they return three wrestlers with significant experience and are looking to make a strong postseason run.'We have a lot of kids who it will be a test year for,
Warriors hit the road to start 2011-12
WWCC men play five straight tournaments before beginning the regular season in January.
WALLA WALLA — The Walla Walla Community College men's basketball team tips off the 2011-12 season with five straight tournaments — only one of which is at home — before the Warriors host their first home game in January.The Warriors are coming off a 14-13
PANORAMA - Offering thanks
With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be interesting to see what people were thankful for. Perhaps there would be some common theme, or perhaps this line of thought would lead to some interesting discussion. It did both.Family, friends, health
Warrior women to face Everett in soccer final four
Everett is the only squad WWCC has not beaten this season.
WALLA WALLA — After shellacking Clark College, 6-0, last Saturday, Walla Walla Community College now moves on to face Everett in the semifinals of the NWAACC women's soccer playoffs at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Starfire Complex in Tukwila, Wash.Everett (
Warriors start hoops season in Yakima tonight
Walla Walla could face a rematch of last season's championship bout.
WALLA WALLA — Walla Walla Community College's women's basketball team fell against Yakima Valley in last season's NWAACC championship game, 53-40, but finished 2010-11 tied for second at 10-4 in the NWAACC East Region and 22-7 overall.This season, the War
No. 1 Waitsburg-Prescott flying high before playoffs
Waitsburg-Prescott is on a roll after overcoming mid-season doldrums.
WAITSBURG — Waitsburg-Prescott has been here before.Saturday's match with visiting Brewster is the first round of the Washington state class 2B playoffs and marks the third year in a row W-P, ranked No. 1 in the final prep football polls, has made it to t
DeSales in rematch with White Swan
Since DeSales beat White Swan, the Cougars have gone on a six-game winning streak.
WALLA WALLA — After a 35-34 overtime squeaker over Reardan in the District 7/9 crossover football game last Friday night at Ty Baffney Field, the DeSales Irish (7-2) catch a little break: DeSales has already beaten White Swan (7-3), their opponent Friday
Missionaries start with a bang, host LCSC to begin hoops season
The Whitman women's basketball team returns four starters but faces a stiff challenge to start the season: No. 5 Lewis-Clark State.
WALLA WALLA — Whitman College's women's basketball team suffered a number of close losses last season. The Missionaries (9-7 in the Northwest Conference, 15-11 overall) finished fourth in the league and then lost 60-51 to second-place Lewis & Clark (Portl
Whitman men look to make national noise
Whitman looks to build on a 19-8 2010-11 season with its eyes set on the national tournament.
WALLA WALLA — Whitman finished the 2010-11 men's basketball season at 19-8 and made it to the Northwest Conference championship round before falling to nationally No. 1-ranked Whitworth, 74-50.It was the best season in 20 years for the Missionaries and ev
