SPOKANE, Wash— The annual State B basketball championship started today, bringing schools from across Washington to compete at Spokane Arena.
The tournament features 48 teams, 24 boys teams and 24 girls teams, made up of more than 700 athletes and coaches from smaller high schools throughout the state. While players battle on the court, dedicated staff members work behind the scenes to make the event happen.
Some staff members have been part of the tournament for decades, including Connie Walder, who is working her 38th year at the event.
“Having grown up in a small community, State B has always been a part of my life, it has always been my March vacation,” Walder said. “I look forward to coming and watching great basketball and working with great people.”
Walder takes time off from work every year for the tournament and says the excitement from the players keeps her coming back.
The tournament draws more than just athletes to Spokane. Families, friends and sometimes entire towns travel to show their support for their teams.
Ken Lindgren, tournament co-director who traveled from Oakesdale, one of the competing schools. He previously coached his hometown’s girls team. Lindgren says many of his former players dreamed of playing in this stadium since elementary school.
“It is a goal. The small towns support our schools so much and they are at all the ball games,” Lindgren said. “So we hope we will get as many fans as we can coming up from Oakesdale because it is just what their goals have been.”
Games run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Friday, and 8 a.m. through 9 p.m. on Saturday. You can buy tickets and find more information on the event here.
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