High School Sports
Dave Nichols
It’s hard to believe, but with the publication of the spring sports all-league teams and photos today another high school sports season is just about in the books. All that is left on the schedule is the Spokane Youth Sports Awards on Tuesday, one of the coolest nights of the year for dozens of exceptional […]
It’s hard to believe, but with the publication of the spring sports all-league teams and photos today another high school sports season is just about in the books. All that is left on the schedule is the Spokane Youth Sports Awards on Tuesday, one of the coolest nights of the year for dozens of exceptional young athletes.
This was my eighth full season as high school editor for the paper (along with my other duties covering the Spokane Indians and Chiefs), and like every year, I was able to witness and chronicle some astounding individual and team efforts in the Greater Spokane League and across Eastern Washington.
I told sports editor Ralph Walter when he hired me full time that I would stay on the job until it was no longer fun. Lucky for him (and me, and I hope you), I still consider this to be the best job in the world.
And though occasionally there are long days or frustrating moments or tight deadlines or tricky interviews or an infrequent disgruntled parent, I still love what I do and the fact I get to watch and write about sports for a living. And considering my health scare 15 months ago, I’m incredibly lucky to still be at it.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of our personal highlights of the past season. And don’t worry – fall practice starts in just 10 ½ weeks and we’ll do it all over again.
Fall sports
It was a record-breaking football season in the Greater Spokane League, with two long-standing marks broken – one a single-game achievement, one a career record – in the same game. Central Valley’s Beau Butner broke a 2003 record for rushing yardage in a game, running for 367 yards (with six touchdowns) in a 66-35 win over Ridgeline.
In the same contest, Ridgeline’s Brayden Allen had seven catches for 111 yards with two TDs. He moved past Shadle Park’s Tanner Pauly into first place in career receiving yards and finished his career with 2,741. Allen graduates as the league’s all-time single game (17), season (90) and career (275) receptions and career receiving touchdowns (40) leader.
The GSL honored longtime University Athletic Director Ken VanSickle, naming the league’s annual slowpitch softball rivalry night under the lights at Merkel Sports Complex the “Kenny V Classic,” in recognition for his induction into the state’s AD hall of fame and his dedication to championing the sport of slowpitch.
Freeman girls soccer went undefeated with a state title and boasted the highest-scoring player in the state regardless of classification – junior Rylee Russell, who scored 66 goals, good for No. 2 in the nation.
Lewis and Clark boys cross country won the State 4A title despite not having a runner place in the top 12 – but each of its top five finished within 14 seconds of each other.
Ridgeline volleyball won the school’s first team state title, knocking off perennial state contenders Mead and Mt. Spokane in league to earn the top seed to state before downing second-seeded North Thurston in the final.
New coach. New quarterback. Only one senior among the skill positions. No problem, as Gonzaga Prep football went undefeated until a state semifinal when they led No. 1 Camas until late in the fourth quarter.
Winter sports
Perhaps the final “The Fitz” tournament at Lewis and Clark kicked off the region’s high school basketball season.
University’s Libby Roberts finished her high school career just like she started – in dominant fashion, winning her fourth consecutive state title and leaving a legacy for girls wrestling in the region and state.
Garfield-Palouse sophomore Kaydence Kivi thrives on the basketball court (and anywhere else), despite being born without a left hand.
Gonzaga Prep’s Matty McIntyre has had his share of high-profile players and talented squads. But none exemplified “team” as much as the 2024-25 version, which rode its defensive toughness and willingness to share the ball to McIntyre’s fourth State 4A title in 16 seasons.
McDonald’s All-American and state Gatorade player of the year Brynn McGaughy and Central Valley knocked off four-time defending champion Garfield en route to the storied program’s seventh state title in 10 trips. Earlier in the winter, the school inducted the Hull twins and their state-title winning teams into the Bears’ “Wall of Fame.”
The Northwest Christian girls basketball team didn’t have a coach a week before the season started. The Crusaders ended up as state champions.
The Greater Spokane Showcase, featuring the Denny Humphrey and Jack Blair Memorial all-star games, allowed league rivals an opportunity to play as teammates and produced two competitive, high-level basketball games.
Spring sports
Mt. Spokane’s Brayten Ayers was named GSL baseball MVP for the second straight season. His graduation this year closes out a special era in the Mt. Spokane baseball program.
Cheney distance runner Cameron Frenk brushed off his brain tumor removal as “just another obstacle” and just barely missed qualifying for state.
East Valley fastpitch softball team showed out, going from 6-13 last year to winning the district title and coming one game away from reaching state.
Locals did remarkably well at state track again, highlighted by Mead’s Simon Rosselli setting new marks in discus, Mt. Spokane’s Kade Brownell finally reaching the top of the podium, Rogers’ Brady Krebs winning a state title in high jump in his first year in the sport, and Josie McLaughlin of St. George’sending her storied high school career with 13 track and field gold medals.
Though it won’t ease the pain of the terrible tragedy for his family or the Northport baseball community, it was a tremendous gesture that retiring North Central coach Curly Rousseau named the Mustangs’ Dawson Baribault as starting pitcher for the all-state baseball feeder game last week, and even better that the senior and three-time league Northeast 1B MVP was one of 10 selected to the the all-state games in Yakima this month.
High School Sports
HS Boys Lacrosse All
Meet our Boys Lacrosse All-CVC Team including Hopewell Valley’s Luke Caldwell as our Player of the Year and Matt Foret as our Coach of the Year Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To log in, click here. Originally Published: June 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM EDT 0
Meet our Boys Lacrosse All-CVC Team including Hopewell Valley’s Luke Caldwell as our Player of the Year and Matt Foret as our Coach of the Year
Subscribe to continue reading this article.
Already subscribed? To log in, click here.
Originally Published:
High School Sports
Beeville ISD leaders deliver summer progress report, highlight growth and planning
Beeville ISD administrators presented a comprehensive update to the Board of Trustees this week, detailing major strides in summer learning, facility upgrades, financial stability and staff development as the district prepares for the 2025–26 school year. Chief of Staff Erika Vasquez opened with instructional highlights, applauding administrators for leading professional development sessions and supporting students […]
Beeville ISD administrators presented a comprehensive update to the Board of Trustees this week, detailing major strides in summer learning, facility upgrades, financial stability and staff development as the district prepares for the 2025–26 school year.
Chief of Staff Erika Vasquez opened with instructional highlights, applauding administrators for leading professional development sessions and supporting students through the district’s summer school and enrichment programs. Robotics and culinary camps saw strong participation, and Vasquez emphasized the ongoing curriculum planning by teachers to ensure a strong start in August.
COO Dr. Thomas Lawing outlined a busy summer of operations. He reported deep cleaning and maintenance work across campuses, inventory upgrades in the technology department, and several transportation updates. A new regular education bus will replace a delayed special education bus purchase, which will now be rescheduled for next fiscal year. The Child Nutrition department has already served 678 breakfasts and 1,614 lunches in the first two weeks of summer.
Bond projects are also moving forward, including the A.C. Jones High School restroom addition and auditorium renovations. A previously undetected leak was discovered during the demo process and will be addressed through a change order.
Chief of Police Art Gomez spoke on security initiatives, highlighting the district’s advanced level of preparedness. Officers participated in youth mental health and emergency response training, and Beeville ISD hosted a full-scale active attacker simulation involving multiple agencies. Gomez noted that other districts across Texas have reached out to learn from Beeville’s school-based law enforcement model.
Dr. Darryl Cobb, Chief of Human Resources, presented progress on the district’s “Grow Your Own” initiative with Grand Canyon University. Sixteen employees without undergraduate degrees began coursework in June, each receiving an average of $30,000 in grant funding. Participants are on track to earn degrees and certifications within two to three years, with some already expected to be classroom-ready by next year.
Chief Financial Officer Dela Castillo reported a projected year-end surplus of $40,000 and noted that outstanding purchase orders are being closed ahead of the annual audit. The Child Nutrition department is expected to finish in the black and contribute $180,000 in indirect costs to the general fund. The bond program has spent more than $6 million to date, and investments have earned more than $243,000 in interest.
Athletic Director Richard Vasquez shared a positive update on student athletics, noting that 18 student-athletes have committed to compete at the next level. Summer strength and conditioning programs, along with sports camps, are in full swing. Vasquez praised his coaching staff and credited their leadership for the minimal turnover going into the next school year. He also mentioned ongoing interviews for key coaching vacancies, including soccer and tennis.
Beeville ISD’s board expressed appreciation for the detailed updates and commended the district’s continued commitment to growth, safety, and academic and athletic excellence.
High School Sports
Dan Benson highlights finances, infrastructure in Mercer County state of the county speech
PRINCETON — Mercer County Executive Dan Benson highlighted financial recovery and infrastructure progress during his 2025 State of the County address Tuesday at a Princeton-Mercer Chamber of Commerce gathering. Benson said the county overcame financial challenges through cost-saving measures and operational changes implemented over the past year. “Last year, when I spoke, I was clear […]
PRINCETON — Mercer County Executive Dan Benson highlighted financial recovery and infrastructure progress during his 2025 State of the County address Tuesday at a Princeton-Mercer Chamber of Commerce gathering.
Benson said the county overcame financial challenges through cost-saving measures and operational changes implemented over the past year.
“Last year, when I spoke, I was clear about the challenges ahead. We were in a tough financial spot,” said Benson. “So we rolled up our sleeves, we tightened our belts, and we went to work.”
The county executive outlined infrastructure projects completed or underway, including breaking ground on Trenton Thunder ballpark upgrades, launching the South Broad Street Vision Plan and making improvements at Trenton Mercer Airport. Other projects include reconstruction of the Eagle Tavern, plans to extend the Johnson Trolley Line Trail and restoration of the Montgomery Street Bridge.
Benson said his administration expanded social services, strengthened public health and safety programs, promoted diversity in vendor procurement and established the Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.
“Now, Mercer County is planting seeds for our future, and that future is bright,” said Benson. “Because Mercer is a special place, and we believe that it should be leading the way. We want to set the standard. We want to show the entire region how government can and should work for people.”
Benson emphasized collaboration with the Board of County Commissioners and coordination with the county’s 12 municipalities.
“For the first time in a long time, there’s real energy and excitement about the future of Mercer County and our Capital City,” said Benson. “Because of the hard work of this amazing team, I can say with confidence that the state of Mercer County is much better today than it was just a year ago.”
“Over the past year it’s been great to see so many people excited again about what our County government is doing,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Kristin McLaughlin after the speech. “We’re proud of the partnership we’ve built with the County Executive, and of everything that we’re doing together to move Mercer County forward.”
High School Sports
5A All
Allan Steele June 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM Bonneville pitcher Coltan Spagnuolo. | Allan Steele, EastIdahoSports.com. Fresh off a 5A state championship, Bonneville earned three first-team selections on the All-State team and Ryan Alexander was named Coach of the Year. Blackfoot’s Easton Cannon was also named to the first team. The Bees finished 28-4 as […]
Fresh off a 5A state championship, Bonneville earned three first-team selections on the All-State team and Ryan Alexander was named Coach of the Year.
Blackfoot’s Easton Cannon was also named to the first team.
The Bees finished 28-4 as Alexander won a second state title.
Carter Bowen, a pitcher and shortstop, was impressive on the mound and at the plate, finishing with a 5-1 record and a 2.27 ERA while hitting .427 with 41 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.
Infielder Greyson Martin hit .456, scored 40 runs, slugged .674 and stole 24 bases on a team that averaged nearly 10 runs per game.
Senior Colten Spagnuolo knocked in 51 runs, slugged .582 and hit .407. On the mound, he finished 6-1 with a 2.29 ERA.
Blackfoot’s Cannon was another dual-threat standout. The senior pitcher/shortstop hit .411 with three home runs, 25 RBIs, 23 stolen bases and slugged .667. He also went 5-0 with a 2.97 ERA in 10 appearances.
5A
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Rodney (Tre) Morse III, Mountain Home, sr., P/1B
COACH OF THE YEAR: Ryan Alexander, Bonneville
ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM
Eli Daniel Vallivue, so., UTIL/P
Carter Bowen, Bonneville, jr., SS/P
Greyson Martin, Bonneville, sr., 2B/SS
Cooper Thompson, Twin Falls, sr., 1B/RF
Maddox Stadelmeir, Twin Falls, jr., C/P
Tyson Izzo, Moscow, sr., C
Luca Quilici, Bishop Kelly, sr., P/LF
Colten Spagnuolo, Bonneville, sr., P/3B
Butch Kiblen Moscow, sr., P
Colin Brazil Bishop Kelly, so., SS/2B
Easton Cannon, Blackfoot, sr., SS/P
ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
Kentyn Ketterling, Sr., P/SS, Twin Falls
Jake Redder, Jr., CF/P, Burley
Conner Cannon, So., 1B/RF, Blackfoot
Lincoln Stuart, Jr., P/UTIL, Bonneville
Parker Harrison, Sr., 1B/P, Columbia
Jaxon Wade, Jr., P/2B, Nampa
Colt Augustus, Sr., CF/LF, Vallivue
Aaron Rayo, Sr., DH/2B, Vallivue
Connor Isakson, Sr., P/RF, Moscow
Jacoby Roe, So., SS, Burley
Mason Krahn, Sr., RF, Skyview
The post 5A All-State: State champion Bonneville highlights All-State selections appeared first on East Idaho News.
