Cheney and Medical Lake teams managed to get in a number of games, matches and meets before heading into spring break, April 1-5.
CHENEY
Baseball
The Blackhawks are 2-6 in Greater Spokane League play, 3-7 overall. Cheney opened with a 15-3, 5-inning win over long-time rival West Valley, blowing open a 6-2 game with nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Senior Quinn Hubbs got the win on the mound.
After losses to Pullman and Mead, twice, the Blackhawks returned to the win column with wins over Lewis and Clark. Hubbs led Cheney at the plate in a 3-0 win March 22, going 1 for 2 and scoring a run.
At Hart Field March 26, Hubbs threw 6 2/3rds scoreless innings in Cheney’s 6-0 win over the Tigers. Hubbs and fellow senior Carter McPherson each had three hits.
The Blackhawks have lost four straight, twice each to Gonzaga Prep and Central Valley, both in a three-way tie for second currently in the GSL.
Boys soccer
New head coach Noah Prophet has 13 letterwinners returning to a program the former player Blackhawk hopes to guide back to soccer prominence. Cheney opened the season winners of five of their first six games, including four in a row. The Blackhawks are currently seventh in the GSL at 1-2, 5-3 overall and have lost two straight, including a 2-0 shutout at the hands of GSL leading Ridgeline.
Golf
The Blackhawk boys are regrouping after the departure of Jake Valance, who finished tied for 29th at 3A state in 2023, to graduation. Three freshmen comprised the varsity team: Brayden Anderson, Ryan Howe and Justin Krasselt, along with sophomore Kyren Fleming and senior Tryson Little.
Miranda Hotchkiss is the only senior on the Cheney girls team. Juniors include Elisa Bertelsen, Loriza Canoto, Lauren Howe, Mya Mayher and Allison Vold with freshman Chloe Gawenit.
Softball
Head coach Gary Blake returns a couple All-GSL players in his 20th season at the helm of the Blackhawks with second-teamer Mia Ashcroft (junior) and honorable mention Sedona Ericson (senior) back in the outfield. Otherwise, Cheney is undergoing a bit of a youth movement, with four freshmen and one sophomore comprising the varsity 11.
The Blackhawks are currently fourth in the GSL at 3-3, 3-4 overall. After three straight losses to open the season, Cheney ripped off three wins in a row, beating Ferris (16-6), Lewis and Clark (19-6) and Ridgeline (12-6) before losing to 10-0 to third-place Mead heading into spring break.
Tennis
The boys are off to a 2-2 start with losses to West Valley and Mead and wins over East Valley, 6-1) and Rogers, 6-1. The Blackhawks have a fairly experienced squad with four seniors — Aiden Flanary, Samuel Frenk, Brian Kibet and Logan Konrad — and three juniors — Jacob Estock, Zaknafein Hammersmith and Reece Higbee — on the roster.
The girls are off to a good start at 4-3, posting wins over Medical Lake (7-0), East Valley (4-3), Shadle Park (4-3) and Rogers (7-0). Five seniors — Delanee Griffin, Kylee Hahn, Paige Lacey, Sydney Lincoln and Ellerie O’Regan — and four juniors — Hailey Magalsky, Megan Price, Anabell Taylor and Morgan Weathers — fill out nine of the 12 roster slots.
Track and field
Head coach Derek Slaughter has another large team this season with 120 boys and 65 girls turning out.
Distance runner Calvin Hinton, junior is the only state competitor returning on the track, placing 14th last year in the 3,200 meters. Seniors Kordell Laher and Tucker Van Wormer will lead the sprinters, having traveled to state last year as part of the 4×100 team placing 12th.
The girls strong suit will be in the field where senior Joy Assonken returns from a District 8 title and ninth-place finish in the javelin at state in 2023. Joining her will be senior Clara Browne, who finished third in the discus at the District 8 meet and just missed state.
MEDICAL LAKE
Baseball
The Cardinals currently sit atop the Northeast A League standings at 4-1, 8-5 overall. After going 2-3 in their first five games, Medical Lake has turned things around at 6-2 over the last eight, including a 7-6 win over 2023 NEA champion and state qualifier Deer Park on March 26.
Soccer
The Cardinals are fourth in the NEA at 3-2, 4-5 overall.
Softball
Medical Lake is seventh in the NEA at 1-3, 5-5 overall.
Track and field
Chiche Okemgbo is the only returning state competitor from 2023. The senior should lead the girls in the field, placing third in the shot put, seventh in the triple jump and the javelin and 12th in the discus last year at 1A state.
Current Northeast A League top-5 rankings for the boys has senior Hayden Luzier first in the 800, Nakai Ornelas fourth and second in the 1,600 and 3,200, the 4×400 relay team fourth, Chuks Okemgbo third in the high jump and Garrett Montney and Dakota Phillips tied for second in the pole vault.
Freshman Autumn Trout is first in the 100 and 200, Kaylee Dennler is second and third in the 1,600 and 3,200, Makalia McKenny is fourth in the 100 hurdles, the 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams second and third respectively, Okemgbo first in the shot put and discus, third in the javelin and first in the triple jump.
