In his five years as Kiona-Benton girls coach, Marty Martinez has yet to reach the state tournament.
He's been close. In 2006, the Bears won the SCAC East with an 8-0 league slate and finished 12-4 overall. But a loss at districts ended Ki-Be's hopes of its first-ever state berth.
This year could be different as the WIAA allotted four spots for the SCAC into the 1A state playoffs. The competition for that fourth spot won't be any easier, but the chances of the Bears getting in position to grab it are better.
Kiona-Benton (6-3, 5-1) is currently fourth behind LaSalle (6-0), Connell (5-0) and Naches Valley (5-0). Highland (4-1) looms a half game behind the Bears in fifth.
"Early in the season we lost (4-0) to Highland, then turned around and lost (5-1) to Connell," Martinez said. "But after that we had a meeting to refocus our attention on what we needed to do."
Martinez said one of the program's shortcomings in the past has been a lack of club experience. That has changed over the last two years, as Ki-Be has seen a strong influx of experienced players, including freshman forward Bailey Schroeder (10 goals), and sophomores Cierra Torp and Taylor Brown (7g).
Torp, a speedy defender, has been one of the Bears' best weapons. She's a dependable player on a strong back line but often overlaps to give Ki-Be another option on the attack.
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Ki-Be girls beat Burbank 58-45 to win league title
Ki-Be girls beat Burbank 58-45 to win league title
Joe Wirtzberger may have attended and coached at Columbia-Burbank High School, but he led Kiona-Benton to a piece of girls basketball history Monday night in Benton City.
The Bears (16-4, 11-1 SCAC East) coach led Ki-Be to its first-ever league championship with a 58-45 win over Columbia-Burbank. Cierra Torp led all scorers with 21 points, and Yesenia Torres and Bailey Schroeder combined for 23 to give the Bears the offense they needed.
"Last year we lost (the league title) to Connell by one game. We had never dealt with that pressure. This year, no matter what people have done, we've been through it all," Wirtzberger said. "When I got here, these girls were in sixth grade. They had to buy into a new system and a new coach, but they did it. They put in the work."
League wrestling titles at stake this week
League wrestling titles at stake this week
A big week of wrestling is on tap for Mid-Columbia teams in the hunt for league titles.
In the CBBN 4A, Chiawana (4-0) travels to Moses Lake (3-0) on Thursday for a dual that should decide the regular-season crown. That same day will see Pasco travel to Sunnyside in a battle of 5-0 teams in the CBBN 3A.
This is the second consecutive season the Bulldogs and Grizzlies will meet with unblemished records. Last year, the Grizzlies won 34-18 and went on to secure the league title.
On this date in Mid-Columbia sports history
On this date in Mid-Columbia sports history
On Nov. 16 in ...
* 2002 -- Sharon Brandon goes out a winner at Kiona-Benton as the Bears beat Chelan 15-4, 11-15, 15-9 to win the 2A state volleyball title. Ki-Be senior McKenzie Burgess had 35 kills in the match. It was Brandon's last match as coach of Ki-Be after 25 seasons. She was named to the Central Washington Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
* 1995 -- Michelle Burge had 17 kills for Columbia Basin and teammates Laura Sizer and Molinda Vincent added eight apiece as the Hawks opened the NWAACC tournament in Gresham with a 15-3, 15-3, 15-11 sweep of Southwest Oregon. CBC ultimately won the NWAACC title on Nov. 18 with a 15-11, 15-9, 15-5 sweep of the Community Colleges of Spokane in the championship contest.
Roundup: McCallum, Del Angel lead Ki-Be to third at regionals
Roundup: McCallum, Del Angel lead Ki-Be to third at regionals
Matt McCallum will get his shot at a fourth state medal. Cruz Del Angel will get a shot to go from state newbie to state champion.
And the Kiona-Benton Bears will be in good position to make some noise at the Tacoma Dome next weekend.
The Bears pushed six wrestlers through Saturday's SCAC regional at Zillah to finish in third place, led by the individual titles by McCallum at 132 pounds and Del Angel at 170.
Connell rallies to beat Ki-Be (w/ gallery)
Connell rallies to beat Ki-Be (w/ gallery)
BENTON CITY -- After a rough start Tuesday, the Connell girls basketball team dialed up the pressure.
Using a full-court, man-to-man defense, the Eagles rallied from a big early deficit to roll to a 49-37 SCAC East victory at Kiona-Benton in a matchup of league unbeatens.
"We knew we have a lot of girls that can play," Connell coach Kameron Jenks said, "and they only use seven players. So, we tried to wear them out.
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