An update on a new Moses Lake business and Moses Lake High School drama and speech participants coming home with state hardware were among the topics on the March 22 edition of the Studio Basin podcast.

Sila Nanotechnologies is remodeling an existing building near Wheeler Road, and company vice president Chris Dougher said last week the project is on track to open in 2025.

Dougher said the company is also working on hiring operations staff. Once construction is finished, Sila Nanotechnologies is expected to hire about 100 people for its first phase of operation, he said.

Students from the MLHS drama department and speech team returned from the state competition with top awards.

The drama students received a “Best in Fest” award for reprising scenes from their recent production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.” They received the top score possible, said advisor and director Sharon Winningham.

Speech competitor Brock Smith took first in the 4A dramatic interpretation category. The MLHS team, working on reviving the program after a few years of relative inactivity, sent seven competitors to state.

In sports, both the Moses Lake baseball and softball teams picked up wins against Chiawana and Mt. Spokane, respectively, with the Maverick baseball team winning in walk-off fashion while the softball squad earned a convincing 7-2 win in their season opener.

The Ephrata softball team defeated Wenatchee 10-3, playing their third 4A team in their first five games. Ephrata senior Peyton Trautman drove in five runs in the win, including a three-RBI double to give the Tigers the lead for good in the bottom of the third inning.

Basin hoopers traveled to Bellvue College last weekend to compete in the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association’s all-star games. Royal’s Caden Allred and Quincy’s Aidan Bews played on the 1A team, while Soap Lake’s Trey Landdeck and MLCA/CCS’s Jonah Robertson played for the 1B team.