The 2026 Washington State High School Basketball Tournament delivered numerous memorable moments and compelling storylines. In the State B Tournament, eighth graders showcased their skills, proving they could hold their own against high school seniors. Aylen Garnett from Touchet stood out with a 35-point performance. Max Ohrberg from Wahkiakum, Norah Boze from Mount Vernon Christian, and Emily Van Hofwegen from Mount Vernon Christian also shared their positive experiences.
In the 4A quarterfinals, the West Valley boys team fell to Richland despite a strong start. Richland’s Landen Northrup led with 33 points, while Austin Birley scored 19 for West Valley.
The 1A and 2A classifications saw several teams advance to the semifinals. Key matchups included Lynden vs. Clarkston and Prosser vs. Ellensburg in the 2A girls tournament, and Royal vs. Zillah and King’s vs. Lynden Christian in the 1A boys tournament. The Lynden girls team aims to secure their third consecutive 2A state title.
Several underdog teams also made impressive runs, such as Columbia River in the 2A boys tournament, who reached the semifinals for the first time since 2009 after upsetting Pullman.