BY PARKER HODGE
Boys
RIDGELINE 80, HANFORD 53
Jaxon Niemi opened the season with a 10-point effort and was the lone player in double figures for Hanford as the Falcons fell to Ridgeline 80-53 in a non-conference contest.
MT SPOKANE 91, CHIAWANA 63
Chiawana had three players in double figures, but the Riverhawks fell to visiting Mt. Spokane in Pasco.
Gage Williams led the way with 21 points, Jermell Heavens tallied 14 and Cody Iverson finished with 10.
The Wildcats shot a scorching 73% from the floor, while the Riverhawks were 40%.
EISENHOWER 65, SOUTHRIDGE 64
Despite a fourth-quarter push by Southridge, visiting Eisenhower was able to earn the season-opening win in a non-conference matchup.
The Cadets held a one-point advantage at the half and used a 21-13 third quarter to pull away from the Suns. While Southridge was able to outscore Ike 18-10 in the final period, it wasn’t enough to earn the win.
Southridge was led by Jesse Tijerina’s 21 points, which included six three-pointers. Nick Richardson and Kellen Walford each scored 10.
Girls
CHIAWANA 61, MT SPOKANE 35
Chiawana outscored Mt. Spokane 24-2 in the third quarter and turned 25 Wildcat turnovers into 32 points as the Riverhawks opened the season with a 61-35 victory over visiting Mt. Spokane.
Sunnyside transfer Baylee Maldonado fueled the Chiawana attack with 18 points, shooting 58% from the floor, including a 75% performance from long range (3-for-4). Malia Ruud chipped in eight points and five rebounds while Kaia Foster pulled down seven off the glass.
SOUTHRIDGE 69, EISENHOWER 58
Southridge started the season off with a non-conference victory, defeating visiting Eisenhower 69-58.
Jadyn Holdren had a double-double, tallying 25 points and 13 rebounds. Taylor Luce and Aryn Sloot each netted nine points.
PROSSER 79, HERMISTON 60
Izzy Simmons finished with 20 points and Lucy Teegarden contributed 14 but Hermiston came up short to Prosser 79-60.
UNIVERSITY 55, HANFORD 39
Despite leading 16-12 after one quarter, Hanford was unable to hold on to the lead and fell to visiting University 55-39.
Lynnea Moran began her senior effort with 16 points and was 10-for-17 from the free-throw line. Payton Schmidt was the only other Falcon in double figures with 14 points.