Quick hits

Warming to area

It’s a long way from the heat and humidity of the southeast to the damp and cool of Spokane’s spring.

But Mt. Spokane catcher Niko Sotolongo, who came from Florida, and Central Valley pitcher Alex Banderas, from Louisiana, are making the adjustment.

Sotolongo had three hits and drove in as many runs during Mt. Spokane’s Tuesday sweep of Central Valley. His mother was transferred here with her insurance job.

“At first I thought I was going to freeze every day,” Sotolongo said of the change. “It’s cold up here.”

He said the bat stings a little more when he makes contact, but that he notices the weather most while catching.

“I get a little more stiff between innings,” he said.

Banderas, who left the hurricane-ravaged state, has pitched in relief for the Bears. He is 1-1 and worked in both games against Mt. Spokane on Tuesday.

All-Star basketball

It’s all about entertainment. Four teams surpassed the century mark during the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association All-State games last weekend.

Ferris’ Jon Clift (11 points) was one of five double-figure scorers for the 4A All-Stars who lost 114-101 to their 3A counterparts.

There were a total of 15 double-figures efforts between the Class B teams when the City All-Stars beat the State All-Stars 117-105. Republic’s Zach Gianukakis scored 15 for the City. The State team was led by Lind-Ritzville’s Cameron Stevenson (20 points) and Odessa’s David Johnson (17). It also got double-digit efforts from Jesse Butcher, St. John-Endicott; Austin Cook, Tekoa-Oakesdale; Travis Teaford, Reardan; and Clint March, Selkirk.

The 2A All-Stars beat the 1A All-Stars 84-78. Cameron Stroyan, Chewelah, and Brian Danaher, Colfax, each scored eight points.

•Lewis and Clark’s Heather Bowman rolled her ankle during a shoot-around prior to the girls game at the Oregon-Washington Northwest Shootout and could not play in Oregon’s 92-65 win.

Last year the Tigers’ Briann January suffered the same malady before the game.

Around the leagues

Great Northern: Pullman baseball was ranked No. 1 in the 2A in the first state rankings, as the Greyhounds look to defend their state title. The weather’s been the only thing to stop them, as Pullman has five rainouts, two wins and no losses through Tuesday.

Northeast A: Newport (7-0) scored a huge win Tuesday, getting two runs in the top of the fifth and holding on to earn a 5-4 decision over Coeur d’Alene’s Lake City High School, a 5A school. Nick Collison got his third win, throwing a complete game and allowing just five hits. It was the Grizzlies’ third win over a school in a higher classification this season. … Softball league play begins this weekend with only Freeman (3-3) having won a non-league game. Newport (0-1) will play host to the Scotties in a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon, while Kettle Falls (0-4) hosts Colfax (0-3) Monday in a doubleheader. First pitch is 3 p.m.

Bi-County: Three Bi-Co teams, including Almira/Coulee-Hartline, made the State B baseball tournament last year, and two advanced to the quarterfinals. To get back to that point, ACH (2-0) will have to survive a difficult stretch, with doubleheaders at Lind-Ritzville (Saturday) and Odessa (Tuesday). Those teams, plus Liberty, were a combined 9-1 in the Bi-Co at the end of Tuesday’s league play. … Two of the three undefeated softball teams meet in a doubleheader on Saturday when Davenport (5-1, 4-0) visits Liberty (2-0, 2-0). Odessa is the other, at 4-0, 7-0 overall.

Panorama: In eight league baseball wins, Northport (9-1, 8-0) has thrown three no-hitters and two one-hitters. The Mustangs are one of two undefeated teams in league play with St. George’s 4-0 (6-0 overall).

Whitman County: Asotin and Colton picked up WCL baseball play where they left off last season, with both teams winning their league openers Friday. Garfield-Palouse also won its opener, defeating St. John-Endicott 7-4. Asotin will travel to Rosalia for a doubleheader Saturday against Tekoa-Oakesdale/Rosalia, then the Panthers will face Gar-Pal on Tuesday. Colton will meet SJE in Endicott for a Saturday twinbill, followed by LaCrosse-Washtucna on Tuesday. Gar-Pal will play LaC-Wash on Saturday. … Colton started its softball season on the right track Friday, defeating Tekoa-Oakesdale/Rosalia 8-1. The Wildcats will face SJE in Endicott on Saturday.