SPOKANE — Two Ephrata boys basketball teams competed at the 2026 Washington Middle School Basketball Championships last weekend, with the 8th-grade squad closing its four-year run at state on a high note and the 5th-grade team making its tournament debut.

Both competed in the School Silver division March 20-22, open to 3A programs and smaller. The tournament also features a Club division for select teams with players from multiple school districts and a School Gold division for larger 4A programs.

Teams qualify by finishing first or second at approved tournaments or leagues. Ephrata's 8th-grade squad earned three bids by winning the Icebreaker Invitational in Ephrata and placing second at tournaments in Centralia and Port Angeles.

Coach Chad Devine's 8th-grade team finished 2-2. The squad dropped its opener to Port Angeles 57-54 Friday night, then fell to Frenchtown (Montana), 56-45 Saturday in a game that stayed close until fouls and free throws took over late. Ephrata closed strong, topping Chelan 44-33 Saturday evening and knocking off Tahoma 45-39 Sunday. Frenchtown finished third; Bellevue claimed the Silver division title.

Coach Mark Novik's 5th-grade team made its state debut after placing second at the Eagles Nest Jamboree qualifying tournament in Connell. The Tigers went 1-3, dropping their opener to Lakewood 35-14 Friday night and falling to Methow Valley 33-15 Saturday. Ephrata got its win Sunday morning, topping Lake Washington 37-9, before closing with a 38-18 loss to East Jefferson (Chimacum). King's (Shoreline) claimed the 5th-grade Silver title.