It’s a little bit hard to imagine, but we haven’t even had a snow day (well, at least here in the city), and we’re already approaching the winter prep postseason.
The first postseason events are scheduled for Friday as the girls bowling district tournaments are held. Bowlers and teams will try to qualify for state next week.
And there’s a lot a stake for local bowlers.
Battle Ground’s Wylicia Faley is the defending Class 4A state champion, and the Battle Ground team is the defending 4A team champion. The 4A district tournament is at Crosley Lanes.
The Tigers capped another successful season with three more wins last week to finish with a 17-1 record, best among Greater St. Helens League teams.
But it’s not just about the Tigers. Heritage’s Leila Stutesman capped the regular season with a big final week, averaging 213 with five games of 200 or better out of six bowled during the week.
Skyview’s Jordan Heard bowled a 276 last week, while Evergreen’s Stacey Dettling and Camas’ Porsche Chartrand will lead their teams into district.
The 3A/2A district tournament will be held in Tumwater, where Mark Morris and Kelso figure to be the top contenders.
Girls basketball
Prairie locked up the No. 1 seed to the district playoffs and at least a share of the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League title by taking a three-game lead over Kelso and Mountain View with three to play. The Falcons’ next win will clinch a title outright.
The La Center girls missed on a shot to stay close in the race for the top two spots in the Trico League. The top two finishers in the league will get a free pass into the double-elimination portion of the district tournament. If the Wildcats hope to stay alive for one of those two spots, they’ll need to find a way to upset unbeaten Castle Rock on the road Friday.
Boys basketball
Columbia River has a busy week, a week the Chieftains hope includes a clinching win for the 3A GSHL. The Chieftains need one win to clinch a title, and they face Kelso and Prairie this week. But before those league games, River will face Foss on Monday morning at the ShoWare Center in Kent.
The second round of league play starts Tuesday in the 2A GSHL with Mark Morris, Hockinson and Washougal sharing the league lead with 3-1 records.
Hockinson put a scare into Mark Morris in the league opener in Longview. Now the Hawks will face the Monarch on Tuesday in Hockinson.
Wrestling
Union will look to complete a 5-0 season in the 4A GSHL when the Titans wrestle at Camas on Wednesday.
Two more wins stand between Hudson’s Bay and a 5-0 season in the 3A GSHL. The Eagles meet Kelso on Tuesday and Columbia River on Friday at Hudson’s Bay.
Boys swimming
Local teams will cap their regular seasons by competing in the Southwest Washington Invitational on Saturday in Longview before getting ready for subdistricts next week.
Tim Martinez is the assistant sports editor/prep coordinator for The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4538, tim.martinez@columbian.com or follow his Twitter handle @360TMart.
