Zapien now at Zillah

YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

This may well be Class 2A's week to be in the headlines, but there's some big news brewing over in Class 1A and the South Central Athletic Conference. Mitchell Zapien -- the SCAC West's player of the year after scoring 18.0 points per game during Granger's regular season and then a first-team all-tournament selection at last week's Class 1A tourney at the SunDome -- is no longer at Granger.

He's at Zillah.

Officials from both schools confirmed Friday that Zapien, a junior, has transferred to Zillah, roughly eight miles away, and has begun attending classes there. He won't be eligible to play sports unless or until he's living with family members within the Zillah School district, but one source told the Herald-Republic that Zapien's father intends to move to Zillah.

Granger placed seventh in last week's 1A tournament and was expected to lose only one starter, while Zillah was eliminated prior to district play, but Zapien's move could quickly impact the SCAC West's balance of power.

Zillah graduates only two seniors, and in addition to Zapien -- if this transfer does indeed become permanent -- the Leopards will also have the services of Robert Slack, a gifted point guard who was expected to be the starting point guard this season as a freshman until he broke his leg late in the football season.