Oakesdale takes aim at third state championship

-Cap Perry photo

Brooklyn Henley of Oakesdale raps a big hit in the chanpionship match at Walla Walla against Pomeroy.

Oakesdale’s Nighthawks today started a bid for a third state title with a match over Mt. Rainier Lutheran in the opening round on the 1B tournament at Yakima’s SunDome. The Nighthawks advanced to state after defeating Pomeroy in four games in the last round of the district playoffs at Walla Walla Community College Saturday.

Pomeroy rolled to state as the number-two entry from the SE and was paired against Rainier Christian in the bottom bracket of the state show. They were booked to play Rainier Christian this morning at the dome.

Last year at state, Oakesdale and Pomeroy hooked up in the state title game with the Nighthawks taking the title, their second straight championship for the 1Bs.

Colton Saturday claimed the number-three SE ticket to state in the playoffs at Walla Walla. The Wildcats returned to the state show for the first time in four years.

Oakesdale’s win Saturday over Pomeroy reversed the outcome of the league clash between the two SE foes. Pomeroy, which bowed to Oakesdale in a non-leaguer early in the season, took the showdown win to finish on top of the league race at 8-0.

At Walla Walla, Oakesdale took out Pomeroy in four sets. The ‘hawks won the first two 25-21 and 25-18, and Pomeroy won game three 25-22. Oakesdale nailed it with a hard-fought 27-25 in the fourth set.

Colton won the consolation ticket with a sweep over Garfield/Palouse in the last elimination round. The Wildcats dominated 25-12 25-19 and 25-19.

Colton advanced to the consolation final with a four-set elimination win over St. John/Endicott, 25-11 24-26 25-18 and 25-21.

Garfield Palouse advanced after battling through a five-gamer with LaCrosse/Washtucna/ Kahlotus.

The fifth-game decider finished at 15-13 for the Vikings and shut down the season for the Tigercats. Line score for the first four games of the GP win were 19-25 25-13 1 25-21 and 13-25 for a 2-2 lockup going into the fifth game.

Oakesdale and Pomeroy went to Walla Walla for the district title game after winning district semi-rounds last Wednesday on their home courts. Oakesdale defeated Colton and Pomeroy defeated LWK.

The two semi losers matched up against SJE and Gar/Pal in elimination rounds with the winners, Colton and GP, playing for the last SE ticket to state.