State 1B girls: Sunnyside Christian downs Inchelium, advances to quarterfinals

The youngest sibling of three, there is little Sydney Banks can do on a basketball court that her older sisters didn’t accomplish during their respective prep careers at Sunnyside Christian.

One noteworthy exception exists, however.

Banks got her team’s pursuit of a first state championship off to a solid start Wednesday morning, scoring all of her team-high 17 points in the first half of a 62-41 victory over Inchelium in the State 1B girls basketball tournament at Spokane Arena.

The Knights will play Neah Bay today at 9 a.m. Selkirk will square off with top-seeded Colton at 10:30, followed by Mount Vernon Christian against Almira/Coulee-Hartline at 12:15 p.m. and Concordia Christian against No. 2 seed Pomeroy at 2.

Banks’ torrid start included five 3-pointers in the first half and helped the Knights erase an early deficit. Inchelium led 16-14 after one quarter, but couldn’t maintain the advantage as Banks continued to strike from the perimeter.

Banks’ older sister, Emily, plays at Lewis-Clark State College after carrying Sunnyside Christian to a fourth-place finish at state a year ago. Banks’ oldest sister, Katelyn, formerly was a three-sport standout for the Knights, with noteworthy accomplishments at state.

“Everyone knows me as the little sister,” Banks, a sophomore, said. “I’m out there trying to make a name for myself.”

Banks didn’t attempt a field goal after halftime as the Hornets adjusted on defense, but that provided more opportunities for Banks’ teammates. The Knights (20-5) led 28-22 at halftime and extended the margin to 45-31 by the end of the third quarter.

Krista Den Hoed, a senior who is part of her own family legacy stretching back decades at Sunnyside Christian, scored 11 points. Sophomore Jenna Andringa posted 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Abby Bravo added 10 points for the Knights.

Colton has dominated the 1B classification with nine state championships since 2009, but Sunnyside Christian has the second-most victories at state of any other 1B program with 25. The only honor missing from the Knights’ résumé is a state title.

“We have to work our hardest, and it’s not going to be easy, but we have hopes to go all the way to the championship,” Den Hoed said. “We’ve worked very hard.”

Rylee Desautel, a 1,000-point career scorer at Inchelium, was saddled with early foul trouble and finished with 10 points before fouling out. Meika Heath paced the Hornets (18-6) with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Selkirk 62, Taholah 49: Jenna Couch scored a game-high 27 points and the 15th-seeded Rangers (16-9) eliminated the seventh-seeded Chitwins (18-6). Denise Curleybear led Taholah with 17 points. Couch added five assists and 11 rebounds for Selkirk.

Mount Vernon Christian 29, Naselle 19: Kailey Faber, Josie Droog and Emma Droog scored seven points apiece and the second-seeded Hurricanes (22-3) eliminated the 12th-seeded Comets (15-9). Kenzie Glenn led Naselle with eight points.

Concordia Christian 64, Riverside Christian 59 (2OT): Karinna Tel scored 29 points and the eighth-seeded Hawks (22-5) eliminated the 16th-seeded Crusaders (14-11) in double overtime. Caitlynn Bell led Riverside Christian with 19 points and Isabella Sanders added 13 points with 21 rebounds.