Ian Bivona

Buck Naff, right, sings the national anthem at last year’s Columbia Basin Barrel Racing Club Patriot Fall Classic Race. The CBBRC holds an opening ceremony honoring military members and lives lost in the 9/11 terror attacks. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/BRAYDEN BISE

PULLMAN – A long off-season ends for Washington State on Saturday, as the Cougars prepare to host Portland State in the 2024 season's opening game.“To finally be here, there’s just so much excitement for our team, our coaching staff, hopefully our university, our fan base – it’s all come, and the sights and sound of football are here,” WSU Head Coach Jake Dickert said at a press conference Monday. “What an opportunity that’s afforded to us.”

Bronco players compete during a drill at Saturday’s practice in Ritzville. Running backs attempt to weave their way through blockers and defenders, all while staying in bounds.

MOSES LAKE -- Coming off an 8-2 season where the Mavericks finished one game shy of reaching the 4A State Football Tournament, Moses Lake is looking to field yet another high-flying offense on the field in 2024.

Ephrata quarterback Brady Hendrick returns for the CWAC co-champion Tigers this fall.

MOSES LAKE – With the start of the 2024 football season just a week away, local squads from Moses Lake, Ephrata and Royal gathered at Lions Field Friday for a preseason jamboree, allowing players to face competition before the scoreboard gets turned on.“These jamborees, they’re optional, but they’re the closest thing to a game rep,” Moses Lake Head Coach Brett Jay said. “It’s nice to see how guys respond in this moment, and it gives us an idea for next week.”

Moses Lake junior Ian Garza, right, wrestles at the 2024 Mat Classic in Tacoma this past February. The Moses Lake Wrestling Golf Tournament will be held on Oct. 12 at the Moses Lake Golf Club and will raise money for the Moses Lake Wrestling Club as well as boys and girls wrestling programs at Moses Lake High School. FILE PHOTO

With teams returning to the practice field – and courts – over the previous weeks, it’s an exciting time for high school sports across the Columbia Basin. The Columbia Basin Herald’s Fall Sports Preview runs in Friday’s edition of the paper, highlighting local cross country, girls soccer and volleyball teams.

COULEE CITY -- Entering the 2024 season riding a fourth-place finish at the 1B State Volleyball Tournament, the Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors will have plenty of players in new, starting roles this fall, but the desire to get back to the state tournament is still there.

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake has qualified for each of the four state slowpitch softball tournaments since the WIAA sanctioned the sport in 2018; this season, it’ll come down to having the youth on the team stepping into new roles.