Rainier basketball standouts Mollee Schwegler and Brandon Cataldo had solid seasons that culminated with leading their respective teams to the Oregon Class 3A state playoffs. Earlier this week, their efforts were rewarded with appointments to the Oregon 3A All-State teams.

Schwegler, a senior, earned first-team honors in a vote of the state’s girls’ hoop coaches, and was joined on the squad by Warrenton’s Brooklyn Campbell, Jena Sepich of Valley Catholic, Tayla Woods of Santiam Christian and Sam Sanders of Myrtle Point.

Mattea Zabala of Burns was named the State Player of the Year, and Alice Herauf of Burns was the state’s Coach of the Year.

Warrenton’s Lauren Dove was named to the state’s second team, and honorable mention picks included Rainier’s Kayla Nagunst and Jordane Marxer of Warrenton.

Schwegler was also a first-team pick a year ago, and earned 3A State Player of the Year honors after leading the Columbians to a 29-0 record and the state title.

The 6-foot-10 Cataldo, a junior, was joined on the boys’ first team by Jordan Tebutt of Horizon Christian, Joe Jaeger of Regis and Santiam Christian’s Cory DeKruyf. Scott Morse of Cascade Christian was named Player of the Year, and Brian Morse of Cascade Christian was the Coach of the Year.

Honorable mention selections included Clatskanie’s K.C. Taylor.

RAL grad Hennig retires from coaching basketball

Less than a month after leading the Kentwood High School girls basketball team to its first Class 4A state championship, Longview native Keith Hennig announced he and his wife, assistant coach Wendy Hennig, were retiring from coaching to focus on their family.

Hennig, who graduated from RAL in 1995 and later from Lower Columbia College and Central Washington University, completed his sixth season at Kentwood where he compiled a 136-25 record. The Conquerors finished 28-1 and ranked 49th nationally, capping their season with a 60-47 victory over Snohomish in the state title game.

The Hennigs have two sons, ages 3½ and 1½. The 32-year-old Hennig told the Seattle Times he looks forward to spending more time with his sons and eventually coaching them in various sports. He said he doesn’t rule out coaching in high school again, and will continue to teach history at Kentwood.

Wendy Hennig is a distribution representative for a company that makes veterinary supplies and travels frequently.

“It’s been a privilege to coach these girls the last six years,” Keith Hennig told the Seattle Times. “This is one of the most difficult decisions Wendy and I have ever had to make. We enjoy coaching so much. But at the same time, I think it’s one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.”

Tom Moore calls it quits as Prosser football coach

After 23 seasons roaming the sidelines as head coach of the Prosser High football team in central Washington, Tom Moore has resigned.

The 53-year-old Moore decided to resign so he could spend more time watching his sons, Kellen and Kirby, play football at Boise State University. Kellen is the Broncos’ starting quarterback, while Kirby joins the team beginning this fall. Kellen led Boise State to an undefeated regular season and an appearance in the Holiday Bowl.

“I don’t think it was a big surprise to anybody,” Moore told the Tri-Cities Herald. “I still want to coach. I want to run the weight room in the summer and go to football camp. The best thing for me would be to coach the freshman team (which plays games on Mondays).”

During his time in Prosser, the Mustangs had a 234-38 record and won 21 league titles. They made 22 state appearances, won four state crowns and had four runner-up finishes.