Wa-Hi boys basketball falls to top-seeded Mt. Spokane in district play

Blue Devils to face Ridgeline in elimination game on Tuesday

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Walla Walla High School's boys basketball team kept it close in the first quarter against top-seeded Mt. Spokane, but ultimately fell 65-43 in the opening round of the Class 3A District 6 tournament on Saturday. The Blue Devils will now venture back to the Spokane area to play Ridgeline in an elimination game on Tuesday night.

Why it matters

This loss ends Wa-Hi's hopes of advancing further in the district tournament, but the team will have another chance to keep their season alive against Ridgeline on Tuesday. The Blue Devils have shown they can compete with top teams, but need to find more offensive consistency to pull off the upset.

The details

Wa-Hi got seven first-quarter points from guard Micah Eggart and six from guard/forward Colt Pemberton to keep the game close early, trailing 20-16 after the first quarter. However, Mt. Spokane pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring the Blue Devils 19-5 to take a 39-21 halftime lead. Wa-Hi edged Mt. Spokane in the third quarter, but couldn't overcome the large deficit, trailing 55-39 after three. Pemberton led Wa-Hi with 15 points in the loss.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 16, 2026.
  • Wa-Hi will face Ridgeline in an elimination game on Tuesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Micah Eggart

A guard for Walla Walla High School's boys basketball team who scored 7 points in the first quarter.

Colt Pemberton

A guard/forward for Walla Walla High School's boys basketball team who scored 6 points in the first quarter and led the team with 15 points in the game.

Derrick Bingham

A player for Walla Walla High School's boys basketball team who scored 6 points in the third quarter, coming off a 30-point performance in the previous game.

Nile Dumser

A player for Walla Walla High School's boys basketball team who scored 5 points in the third quarter.

Simon Unck

A player for Walla Walla High School's boys basketball team who scored the Blue Devils' last field goal in the closing seconds of the game.

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What they’re saying

“Proud of the effort. That's a really good basketball team and I thought we battled with them, especially on the defensive end.”

— Spencer Hessler, Wa-Hi coach (The Tribune)

“Offensively, we had a lot of good looks but couldn't get them to fall. We'll get back to work on Monday and be ready to go wherever we need to on Tuesday.”

— Spencer Hessler, Wa-Hi coach (The Tribune)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.