KENNEWICK — Another week, another twist for the Columbia Basin Big Nine’s fate.

The longtime athletic league joining Class 4A and 3A schools in the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, Sunnyside, Yakima, Moses Lake and Wenatchee will be no more.

Superintendents Jim Busey (Richland), Dave Bond (Kennewick) and Saundra Hill (Pasco) will meet Friday morning to form a new athletic league for the seven Tri-City high schools.

“The seven schools for sure will be a part of that,” Busey said. “We think from previous conversations with Walla Walla that they will be a part of it. And there may be another school district that petitions to join as well.”

Sunnyside will petition to join the league because the Class 3A Grizzlies won't want to compete with the five Class 4A schools in the North.

For more, see Thursday’s Herald.