It’s the last week of January, even though the weather over the weekend made me think it was last week of April.
So I decided to take this opportunity to rundown the races for playoff spots in boys and girls basketball, especially since I might not get the chance next week. There’s a football game of some significance next Sunday that will cut down on space.
So let’s get to it.
4A GSHL
Remember, there are no bi-district tournaments this year for 4A GSHL. That allows for the regular season to continue for another three weeks.
But with the regular season used to determine which six teams of the seven-team league will advance to district, we can get a picture of how things are shaping up now.
In boys basketball, those six advancing teams look pretty clear. The race now is for the league title and the top two seeds to district, as those teams will avoid the loser-out games to determine the four semifinalists.
Union, ranked No. 1 in the state by the Associated Press, is in good position to secure one of those spots. In fact, the Titans (7-0 in the 4A GSHL) will come close to wrapping up the league title with a win at second-place Camas (5-2) on Tuesday.
If the Papermakers win, then there is a race on for the league crown. If Camas falls, then the Papermakers fall back into a quagmire of other teams contending for second place — Evergreen (4-3), Battle Ground (3-4), Skyview (3-4) and Heritage (2-4).
On the girls side, Camas (7-0) and Skyview (5-1) have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. On the other end of the standings, Evergreen faces a pivotal game at home Tuesday against Heritage. A win keeps Evergreen in the playoff hunt. A loss would put those hopes on life support.
3A GSHL
After the first round of games in the six-game league schedule, it appears the boys teams will be headed to some tiebreakers in the 3A GSHL.
To review the first half of league play, Kelso beat Columbia River, which beat Prairie, which beat Fort Vancouver, which beat Kelso.
That leaves Columbia River (2-1) and Kelso (2-1) atop the league, followed by Prairie (1-2) and Fort (1-2).
There is no district tournament at 3A, so the top three teams will advance to the bi-district tournament.
The girls teams are more sorted out with Prairie (3-0), Columbia River (2-1) and Kelso (1-2) in the top three spots. River gets its second shot at ending Prairie’s long league winning streak when the Chieftains travel to play the Falcons on Friday.
2A GSHL
The top four teams will advance to the district tournament.
The top-ranked Mark Morris girls (8-0) appear headed to another league title after completing a head-to-head sweep of second-place Woodland (6-2) last week. Washougal (5-2) and Hockinson (5-3) are in good position to secure postseason berths.
The Mark Morris boys (8-0) have a 2½-game lead with four to play. Washougal (5-2), Hockinson (5-3), Woodland (4-4) and R.A. Long (3-4) are in the hunt for the other three playoff berths.
1A Trico
In boys play, after King’s Way Christian (8-1) and La Center (7-1) swept past Stevenson and Kalama last week, it appears as if the Knights and Wildcats will play for league supremacy Monday in La Center. If King’s Way wins Monday, the Knight can clinch the league title at home Friday vs. Castle Rock.
With King’s Way and La Center in good position for two of the four district playoff berths, Castle Rock (5-4), Kalama (4-4) and Stevenson (3-5) are in the mix for the other two.
In girls play, Kalama (6-0) and La Center (6-1) have already secured district playoff berths. They meet again on Feb. 5. White Salmon (4-3) and Castle Rock (3-5) are in good position to nab the other two playoff berths.
