This is all very new to the Columbia Adventist Academy Kodiaks, this whole going-to-state thing.
“We know it’s a good thing, but we don’t know what it means,” joked boys basketball coach Jay Pierce.
“We’re pretty excited,” added girls coach Debbie Reed.
For the first time, Columbia Adventist officials gave the OK to participate in the postseason should the Kodiaks advance that far in both boys and girls basketball.
In the past, the team was either considered independent or played a league schedule then completed its season by playing in Walla Walla University’s Friendship Tournament — an invitational event for small, private schools.
As far as district and state tournament play, that was a thing for other schools.
Until now.
The boys team won the district tournament on Monday. The girls finished second. Both teams are scheduled to play today in the opening rounds of the state tournaments for Class 1B, the classification for the state’s smallest schools.
The boys take on Lummi of Bellingham at 3 p.m. at the Timberline Regional in Lacey. The girls face Neah Bay at 2:30 p.m. at th Mountlake Terrace Regional. Friday’s winners will advance to Spokane for the elite eight, while the losers will get another chance to play Saturday night for the right to go to Spokane.
They won’t be the only 1B programs from Clark County in the big dance.
The King’s Way Christian boys have reached state for the second year in a row. King’s Way plays Northport at 4:15 p.m. today at the Mountlake Terrace Regional. The Knights must win tonight and Saturday to make it to Spokane.
While the schools are small, the dreams are as big as any athlete who plays at a Class 4A program.
“It is awesome because we’re making history,” Columbia Adventist junior co-captain Thomas Reed said. “Hopefully we won’t be the last team to make it, but it’s cool to be the first to step into new territory for our school.”
Even if the Kodiaks have to explain the significance to their classmates at the Battle Ground school.
“People in our class, they don’t understand how big it is,” senior co-captain Tevita Palaki added. “But our alumni, they’re going crazy. They’re really excited that we got this far.”
Reed said the girls team is proud of its accomplishment, as well, and the Kodiaks are excited to see how long this ride to state can last.
“We have a small roster, but we play with heart,” Reed said. “It’s pure hustle. We just keep going.”
They have another incentive, too.
“If we win state, the guys have to wear dresses to school,” she said.
Over at King’s Way, the Knights are hoping the past two seasons are an indication of the program’s future.
In just its third year of varsity competition, this is the second trip to state.
“I’m just proud of our seniors this year,” King’s Way coach Don Russell said, referring to Matt Johnson, Jake Tront, and Tyler Russell. “They’ve shown leadership. They’ve taken responsibility for showing what it takes. This is what King’s Way basketball is all about. Because of them, we can start a tradition.”
The seniors played all three years of varsity ball. This weekend, and possibly next week, is their reward.
The team is scheduled to get together this morning at the coach’s home for a breakfast and then a team send-off to the state tournament.
“It’s been a blast this year,” Russell said.
