Hermiston wrestlers strong at state; Liberty Christian boys hoopsters fall

Three-time defending team champion Hermiston had seven wrestlers advance to the semifinals of the OSAA 5A state wrestling championships in Portland.

The Bulldogs led the team standings with 104.5 points after Friday’s action. Churchill was second with 75.

Sam Colbray remained on track to win his fourth consecutive state title at 195 pounds, pinning Central’s Sam Crow and Sandy’s Mackay Ivie.

Andy Wagner (126), Valen Wyse (152) and Brock McDonough (170) each pinned both of their opponents.

Liam Tarvin (113) picked up a 6-1 decision in the first round and a pin in the quarterfinals. Bob Coleman (182) advanced with a first-round pin and a 5-2 decision in the quarterfinals.

John-Henry Line (195) opened with a 6-4 win and pinned South Albany’s Anthony Sutherlin in 5 minutes, 29 seconds to reach the semifinals.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Liberty Christian Patriots’ season ended with a 52-49 loss to Almira/Coulee-Hartline (24-0) in a Class 1B state regional game in Moses Lake.

Chris Kelly had 19 points and 10 rebounds, both game highs, while Cameron Godwin scored 14 points for LC (15-9).

The Patriots led 11-9 after the first quarter at Big Bend Community College. In the second, ACH surged ahead by outscoring Liberty Christian 25-11.

LC whittled a 13-point deficit down to five with 1:47 to play, but ACH did enough to hold on and advance to the state round of eight Thursday in Spokane.

Payton Nielsen led ACH with 16 points, while Dallas Isaak scored 15. Nielsen and Isaak helped the Warriors win the 1B state football championship in December.

This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 9:19 PM with the headline "Hermiston wrestlers strong at state; Liberty Christian boys hoopsters fall."