Ephrata boys basketball looks to rebuild with two returning starters
| Team Overview | |
|---|---|
| 24-25 Record | 4-12 (CWAC 7th place), 6-16 overall |
| Head Coach | Rick Walter (4th year) |
| Assistants | Aaron Riggs (JV), Jake Laird (C), George "Russell" LaJueness (D) |
Key Players
| Returning Starters | |
|---|---|
| Cooper Black | Sr., 5-8, G |
| Brady Hendrick | Sr., 6-2, F — CWAC Honorable Mention |
| Other Returning Varsity | |
|---|---|
| Wyatt Schluckebier | Sr., 5-9, G |
| Mitch Morford | Jr., 6-3, C |
| Caiden Weber | Jr., 5-9, G |
| Jett Julian | Jr., 5-10, G |
| Jose Baritta | Jr., 6-0, F |
| Top Newcomers | |
|---|---|
| Cody Ogle | Sr., 5-11, G |
| Brice Strickler | Sr., 6-4, C |
| Deon Martinez | Sr., 5-11, G — Transfer from Quincy HS |
| Benson Bair | Jr., 6-5, C |
Upcoming Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Tue., Dec. 2 | 7 p.m. — vs. Moses Lake (home) |
| Fri., Dec. 5 | 7:15 p.m. — at Chelan |
EPHRATA — The Ephrata boys basketball team may be in a rebuilding mode this season after graduating seven seniors from the 2024-25 squad.
The Tigers return two starters, now seniors, from last year: 5-foot-8 guard Cooper Black and 6-2 forward Brady Hendrick, who received honorable mention recognition as a junior in the Central Washington Athletic Conference.
The CWAC had plenty of opposing talent last season, when the Tigers compiled a 6-16 overall record and finished seventh out of nine teams in the conference standings with a 4-12 mark. They averaged 50 points per game, putting them mid-pack in CWAC offense, but allowed over 62 opponent points per game, one of the league's largest deficits. The Tigers will need to tighten up on defense this season to have a shot at moving out of the bottom tier.
Head coach Rick Walter, in his fourth year heading the EHS program and 18th year of basketball coaching, realizes rebuilding this team is a heavy lift.
"We have so many minutes to fill from last year's team with the exception of Cooper and Brady, who played big minutes last year," he said.
But there is a nucleus with other EHS varsity returners: senior Wyatt Schluckebier and juniors Mitch Morford, Caiden Weber, Jett Julian and Jose Baritta. Newcomers who will see action are seniors Cody Ogle, Brice Strickler, Quincy High School transfer Deon Martinez, and junior Benson Bair.
Walter expects an adjustment period this season as his players adapt to "the speed, intensity and toughness it takes to compete in the CWAC at the varsity level."
Walter said he plans to "mimic that intensity in practice early on, the new guys will adjust quickly and be great additions to the team."
Assisting Walter for the 2025-26 season are coaches Aaron Riggs at junior varsity, and Jake Laird and George "Russell" LaJueness with the C and D squads. Riggs and LaJueness are in their first year with EHS.
Walter said the staff works hard to give players an experience they'll enjoy. But he also said the community's “continued commitment,” including support from local businesses, is “what makes it all possible.”
Their generosity helps sustain the team and the parents and families who "are passionate and love their Tigers,” said Walter. ”We are extremely grateful and want to say thank you.”
