Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Jones boys lead Garfield Palouse in new season
The Jones boys return to stalk the gyms of southeast Washington.
Blake, a senior forward, and Austin, the junior point guard at Garfield/Palouse, start together for the third year, returning after last year ended at Spokane Arena with an opening round loss at the state 1B tournament.
The team graduated eight seniors, known for their size and brawn, including all-league forward Tanner Anderson.
Back this year is junior post Jacob Anderson, Tanner’s brother, who began last season on the J.V. and worked his way into the first five.
“He’s a vocal leader, very strong, a positive influence,” said Coach Steve Swinney.
After Anderson and the Jones brothers, the fourth and fifth starting spots are up for grabs.
“We have a lot of equality with the kids,” said Swinney. “Just lack varsity experience.”
In the mix are last year’s backups Dawson Dugger, a senior forward, and Ethan Hawkins, a senior post. New faces on varsity are Jackson Orr, sophomore post/wing, Kyle Bankus, junior post/wing and Cameron Merrill, a sophomore post now battling a wrist injury.
“They had to bang bodies with those seniors last year, so they learned that style, they know how things are,” said Swinney.
With the eight seniors of 2018-19, leadership was more of a committee than it is now.
“One of the strong points this year is we’ve got three strong leaders,” said Swinney, noting Anderson and Blake and Austin Jones.
Where they lead this team to will have to go through Oakesdale.
The two premiere teams in the Southeast 1B league last year, Gar/Pal went 17-9 overall (11-1 league) and beat the Nighthawks the first two meetings and lost in the district final, ultimately making their way to state with wins over Cusick and Lopez Island.
Oakesdale, which took sixth at state, lost four starters but returns key backups, along with all-league point guard Matt Hockett, now a senior.
Both teams lost a lot, both return a lot.
“It continues,” said Swinney. “It’s gonna be a dogfight with them. Every game.”
Hockett vs. Blake Jones may be the best individual matchup in the league.
“They’re both complete basketball players,” said Swinney.
In the end, the Vikings aim to make it back to the Arena next March.
“That’s our hope. We’d like to get up there and stay there longer,” said Swinney. “It made us hungry.”
The team’s first league game is at Prescott Friday. Gametime is 7:30 p.m.
Garfield/Palouse 58
Tekoa/Rosalia 24
At Tekoa Tuesday night, Gar/Pal blew past Tekoa/Rosalia, starting with a 20-3 lead. Blake Jones led with 16 points while Dawson Dugger had 11 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Jacob Anderson had nine points and Austin Jones eight.
For the Timberwolves, Garrett Naught led with 10 points in the loss.
Reardan 65
SJEL 35
St. John/Endicott/ LaCrosse lost Dec. 6 at 2B Reardan 65-35.
“By the final score, it did not go as well as we planned on,” said Mike Stubbs, Eagles coach.
Owen Swannack led the team with 12 points and Ty Harder added 11.
Dylan Campbell, another starter, did not play, held out to be at 100 percent this week for a back-to-back league games against Pomeroy and Oakesdale.
“It is a big weekend for the Eagles,” said Stubbs.
Orofino 58
Colton 38
Kian Ankerson of Colton led all scorers with 17 points Dec. 7 in a home loss to Orofino. Jackson Meyer added 10 points for Colton (1-1) and Chris Wolf 7.
Wilbur/Creston 56
Tekoa/Rosalia 52
The Timberwolves of Tekoa/Rosalia lost 56-52 at Wilbur Friday with Anthony Gehring scoring 18 points and Garrett Naught 15. Cole Peterson added nine points for T/R.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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