.png)
Sophia Aldous
NEWPORT — While it’s technically not autumn yet, nothing quite heralds that time of year like a new school year and the return of fall sports to the Pend Oreille River Valley.
In this day and age of inflation, where even going to the grocery store can feel like planning a black-market operation to sell a kidney in exchange for milk and eggs, one of the few affordable joys left to us is watching the young athletes in our communities learn and grow on the field. As a reporter, I appreciate a good story and what is a sporting event if not a story that plays out right in front of you?
The Miner covers varsity teams from four school districts, Newport, Priest River, Cusick and Selkirk (no offense junior high, we’re still rooting for you). Mark your calendars for these upcoming high school basketball, football, cross-country, soccer and volleyball games.
Remember, schedules are subject to change, so always check your local high school website the day of an event. Keep an eye out for The Miner’s free annual Falls Sports Preview highlighting each team, coming out next month.
Newport Grizzlies
Varsity football is scheduled to kick off the season with an away game at Deer Park at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. Newport’s first home game at Don Ellersick Field is at 7 p.m Friday, Sept. 4. against Northwest Christian.
Cross-Country is gearing up for the NWC Josh Wright Memorial Jamboree at Northwest Christian High School Tuesday, Sept. 8. The two-mile varsity run starts with the girls’ teams at 4 p.m.
Girls’ soccer is hosting Riverside on Ellersick Field at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 8. Volleyball will host their first game the same day against Reardan at 6:45 p.m.
If unable to attend games in person, check out Grizzly Sports Broadcasts on 91.5 Kubs FM.
Find more information at www. kubsradio.com.
Priest River Spartans
The Lady Spartan volleyball team got its start Monday, losing a five-set season opener to Bonners Ferry, 3-2. Priest River won the first two sets, 25-21, 25-23, and started the third with a 15-13 lead, but the Badgers gained the upper hand. They finished the third set at 25-23, then wrapped up the last two in the lead at 25-18 and 15-1.
Priest River travels to Timberlake Wednesday, Aug. 26 for a game at 7 p.m., then hosts Wallace at Priest River Lamanna Jr./Sr. High at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 29. Then it’s off to Bonners Ferry Tuesday, Sept. 1 for a game at 7 p.m.
Varsity football starts this Friday, Aug. 28 with an away game at 7 p.m. in Bonners Ferry. The first home game is Friday, Sept. 4 against Timberlake, also at 7 p.m.
Boys’ soccer hosts Timberlake at 2 p.m. this Thursday, Aug.
27 at the high school soccer field. The next day on Friday the Spartans play Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy at 2 p.m. at the Priest River Junior High soccer field. The team travels to Bonners Ferry for a game at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31. St.
Maries will play at Priest River at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Girls’ soccer celebrated their season opener with a 7-0 win against guests Orofino Monday, Aug. 24. Senior Macie Olmo scored four goals, Lilly Kennedy scored twice and Heidi Burres clinched the seventh.
Priest River hosts Timberlake at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.
There’s another 4 p.m. game at home Friday, Aug. 28 against Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, then there’s an away game at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31 at Bonners Ferry. There’s another home game at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2 against St. Maries.
Cross-Country got its start at the Post Falls River Run Saturday, Aug. 22. Freshman Seth Paschetag clocked in at 12:36.74, earning him 14th place in the boys’ two-mile run.
Classmate Ailish McLaimtaig came in 19th place in the girls’ two-mile run with a time of 16:41.93. Seniors Alannah McLaimtaig was in 22nd place at 18:08.88 and Breelyn Duran was 25th at 18:31.30.
Coming up Friday, Aug. 28 the team travels to Cabinet View Golf Club in Montana for the Libby Cross Country Meet. Priest River leaves the high school at 5:30 a.m.
Cusick Panthers
Volleyball has its first scheduled game Tuesday, Sept. 8 at Wellpinit. The varsity game starts at 6 p.m.
Cross-country started practice last Tuesday and will travel to their first meet of the season Saturday, Sept. 5 at Farragut State Park for the Timberlake Invitational at 9:40 a.m.
The varsity football schedule was not accessible as of deadline.
Selkirk Rangers
Rangers football hosts Republic for their first home game at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. Volleyball travels to Chewelah to start the season Saturday, Sept. 5 (TBA).
