Is Chiawana girls basketball the state's sleeping giant? Gary Jonas is about to find out

Gary Jonas had one of the best seats in the house for Chiawana High School athletics for nearly a decade - right next to coach Chad Herron on the boys basketball bench.

But there was a vacant space Jonas couldn't stop glancing at this spring.

So, he went for it - and the 47-year-old Walla Walla native was hired to become the next girls basketball coach for the Riverhawks, replacing Mike Brown (2019-23).

What is Jonas inheriting? A talented group that has the potential making of a Class 4A championship-contending squad, led by juniors-to-be Malia Ruud and Kaia Foster, both NCAA Division I recruits, and sophomore transfer Baylee Maldonado, who was an all-4A CBBN first-team point guard last season at Sunnyside.

But it's also a team that hasn't quite gotten over the hump the past two seasons after reaching the WIAA championships in Tacoma in 2019-20 with future Oregon State University signee Talia Von Oelhoffen in tow.

Maybe Jonas is the one that can lead the Riverhawks back to the state's biggest stage.

"It was a tough decision. I love working with Chad and we've had a ton of success," Jonas said. "But there was an itch there (to be a coach) - and part of me saw a lot of potential with this team."

A three-sport 1994 DeSales graduate, Jonas went to Eastern Washington University before getting a teaching position in California.

It was there - Silver Valley High School in Yermo - he became the boys and girls basketball coach from 2000-05.

After a couple more years in Arizona, Jonas and his growing family moved to the Tri-Cities where he got a teaching job at Pasco High School, and eventually became the school's varsity baseball coach.

When Chiawana opened in the Pasco School District in 2009, Jonas shifted over to the new school to teach in special education, and become the baseball coach for three seasons - and a longtime lead boys basketball assistant.

When Brown stepped down on the girls side, Jonas closely looked at the opening - so much that he met with returning players one-on-one to get a feel for things before committing to applying.

"They have a passion for wanting to win," Jonas said. "And what I've noticed this summer is they've bought in very, very quickly to the demands."

Chiawana has sizzled during summer play, winning the Kentwood tournament (defeating Emerald Ridge in the finals), Davis of Yakima tournament (defeating Class 2A champion Ellensburg in the finals) and going undefeated during Gonzaga University team camp games.

One of Jonas' primary emphasis with this team is making sure Ruud - arguably the state's best pure post players - touches the basketball on every possession.

"We talk about it that if she is open and does not touch the ball, you will come out of the game," Jonas said. "I believe she is in the conversation as one of the best players in the state, so why would we not use her?

"What's been impressive is the ball movement she's shown. Everyone has gotten to eat in this group."

But what might determine if Chiawana is a legitimate state contender is the development of the team's exciting young prospects, led by sophomore Gianna Medelez, and Jordan Maiden, Emily Thompson and Serenity Castaneda, a trio of incoming ninth graders.

In 30 summer games, the Riverhawks are 27-3.

"They are willing to listen, willing to trust and willing to get out of their comfort zone," Jonas said.