Friday, Feb. 27, 2009

4A Eastern Regionals begin today at Toyota Center

By the Herald staff

The last time Richland and Eisenhower met, the Bombers led virtually the entire game before the second-ranked Cadets pulled out a CBBN district semifinal win in overtime.

Richland gets another shot at Ike tonight in the 4A Eastern Regional semifinals, this time with a berth in next week's state tournament in Tacoma on the line.

The winner of the 7 p.m. game clinches a berth and reaches Saturday's final against the winner of the late semifinal between Lewis & Clark and CBBN district champion Walla Walla.

The girls semifinals open with two teams very familiar with one another. The 4 p.m. game matches Moses Lake and GSL district champion Mead for the fourth time in three years at regionals -- Mead won twice in 2007, and ML won in the first round last year.

At 5:30 p.m., undefeated and third-ranked Pasco takes on Walla Walla. The Bulldogs won their only meeting 59-51 at Wa-Hi in their season opener.