Wenatchee High School boys basketball is off to the State tournament for the first time since 1997, going to the Tacoma Dome as one of the top eight teams in the 4A division. The team is faced with its biggest challenge of the season — the undefeated Richland Bombers.

Following a narrow 59-58 victory over defending State 4A champion Curtis in Moses Lake last Saturday, the Panthers will be advancing to the quarterfinals on Thursday at 9 p.m. The team has high hopes going into the game, gaining confidence after their win in Moses Lake.

ASB attempted to schedule a rooter bus to take 50 students to the game, however, those attempts were vetoed by the transportation director for the school district.

“I knew that a lot of people wanted to go and that people wouldn’t have the opportunity to go if we didn’t have a rooter bus going,” junior coordinator Maddie Steitz said.

English teacher Chris Cloke traveled to watch the win over Curtis and was impressed with the team. “It was a back and forth,” Cloke said. “Every point mattered.”

Varsity basketball player Chase Resch said that it will be tough to beat Richland, but the team is prepared. “We all have different mindsets, but we all know that we have a shot,” he said.

Resch continued voicing the team’s satisfaction on how the season has went so far. “We’ve really shown people our talent. There’s a lot of people who never thought we would make it. We’re kind of the underdog I guess.”

The winner of the quarterfinals game on Thursday will advance to the semifinals on Friday morning.