Cheney’s Soter new boys hoops coach at Rogers

Cheney’s loss is Rogers’ gain in boys basketball.

Joel Soter, the boys coach at Cheney the past two years, has accepted the position at Rogers, replacing Tim Wood, who resigned to spend more time with a young family.

Soter, a 1997 Ferris graduate, is returning to where he started coaching. He was a freshman coach for three years and a junior varsity/varsity assistant for Wood his final three years.

“I was a little reluctant to take the job at first because I really enjoyed coaching at Cheney,” Soter said. “We have some good young players coming up. But it’s the best move for my family. I live five minutes from Rogers. I was driving 30 minutes to Cheney. Rogers has been kind of home.”

Wood was pleased to hire someone of Soter’s caliber.

“He’s familiar with what we’ve been doing,” Wood said. “He got great experience at Cheney running a program. He’s at a place where he’s ready to lead. He was a logical choice. He wants to be here and coach these kids. He brings great discipline.”

Soter plans to implement his touch at Rogers.

“The work ethic needs to pick up,” Soter said. “And we need to get stronger.”

Cheney athletic director Jim Missel is scrambling trying to find a replacement.

“I don’t have a teaching position,” Missel said.

Missel laughed when it was suggested he’d have to dust off his clipboard and coach.

“I had a great matchup zone when I assisted (the late) Wayne Gilman,” Missel said.

• Jake Green has been named boys basketball coach at Wellpinit, replacing Billy Flett Sr.

Green, a Wellpinit grad, played for Flett from 2004-2007.

All-star games

The 17th annual 2013 Washington/North Idaho All-State Girls Basketball games will be Saturday at the HUB in Spokane Valley.

The format includes three games with East and West teams. The first game is the B’s at 1:30 followed by the 1As at 3:30 and capped with the 3A/2As combined at 5:30.

Here are the local players selected to each team. 1B East: Lindy Riggan (Valley Christian), Jessica Boyer (Wilbur-Creston), Karlee Martin (Almira/Coulee- Hartline), Nicole Sheer (Colfax), Danielle Flett (Wellpinit), Chantel Heath (Reardan), Kyra Antone (Wellpinit), Taylor Larsen (Colfax), Paige Vincent (Colton) and Katie Couch (Selkirk). 1A East: Courtney Wiese (Newport), Alisha Sorensen (Freeman), Sierra McGarity (Freeman) and Courtney Davis (Riverside). 3A/2A East: Emily Drake (Pullman), Abby Skeen (Bonners Ferry), Erin Higbie (West Valley) and Coreen Labish (Cheney).

Coaching the B East is Ed Shields of Reardan.

All-games admission is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors 62 and over and children 12 and under.

• The 4A/3A East-West football game is Saturday at Moses Lake. Kickoff is at 1.

Eight area athletes are scheduled to play. They are: Brennan Schon (Lewis and Clark), Levi Anderson (University), Damon Unland (Ferris), Austin Rehkow (Central Valley), Jake Hoffman (North Central), Grayson Sykes (CV), Max Eugenio (Gonzaga Prep) and Nathan Hundeby (U-Hi).

Soccer

The Washington State Soccer Coaches Association announced its spring all-state teams.

Two Cheney players were named to the 2A first team. They are midfielder Micah Weller and goalkeeper Joe Scott.

Five others were named to second teams. They are: Clayton Paull (Ferris), Trevan Estrellado (Cheney), Moritz Lange (Pullman), Cruz Galm (Cheney) and Cody Constant (Lakeside).

Ben Thompson (Lewis and Clark) and Connor Ourada (Ferris) were named honorable mention.

Scholastic honors

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has announced the WIAA/Washington Army National Guard 2012-13 Scholastic Cup champions.

Colton claimed its first cup championship in 1B. Colton’s year was highlighted by state titles in girls basketball and softball. The school also had two academic state championships.

Football

Three area football athletes earned most valuable player honors at the Northwest Elite Football Camp recently.

Brett Rypien (Shadle Park) was honored at quarterback, Coleton Collins (Lakeside) was tabbed at wide receiver and Chase Blakley (Coeur d’Alene), a senior-to-be who gave the University of Washington an oral commitment this spring, was recognized at tight end.

Golf

Derek Bayley, a senior-to-be at Lakeland, finished ninth at the 46th Dropping Junior Championship early last week at Banbury Golf Course in Eagle, Idaho.

Bayley finished ninth at nine over par with rounds of 72, 75, 75.