Colville Spoils Wv Game Plan As Eagles’ Shooting Goes Cold
Boys basketball
West Valley High School’s boys basketball season came to an end on near70 percent shooting by inspired district champion Colville.
But the toughest opponent for the Eagles was the pressure brought on by past successes.
Following three previous state trips, they were expected to make a fourth-straight appearance.
“I’m not sure how well this team handled those expectations,” said WV coach Joe Feist. “During the (district) tournament they let things bother them that shouldn’t have.”
West Valley’s program has, of late, become the nearest thing to a Frontier League dynasty. The Eagles have made 10 straight appearances in the district finals and been to four state tournaments during that time.
Until Friday, Colville was the only league team the Eagles had not played for a district championship.
Only Cheney has rivaled that record but without the grudging acceptance by league followers of WV’s success.
Students from other schools joined to root against the Eagles who have become something akin to the New York Yankees of the 1920s to 1960s.
The Indians jumped to a 16-4 lead scoring inside and out and never let up during the 73-47 victory. It was the worst defeat that Feist could remember.
“I was disappointed in our damage control,” he said. “I don’t remember a team jumping on us early and us not getting back in the game.”
Except for three-point shooting, West Valley wasn’t necessarily more talented than any of the other playoff teams.
The Eagles were physically less imposing, without the burly post player that Feist said he needed to match the opposition.
This year’s team wasn’t as deep as last year. Graduation losses from that state qualifier were felt.
Except for two-time state participant Greg Jones, West Valley’s playoff efforts were spotty.
The slender 6-foot-6 senior, more suited to play wing than inside, finished his career by averaging 18.5 points a game. His points were nearly evenly distributed throughout four playoff contests.
“He is the hardest working, most level-headed kid I’ve ever coached,” said Feist. “I think he deserves all the accolades he gets. He’s consistent in his work ethic not only in basketball, but in school and life. He’s a keeper we will really miss.”
WV’s other state veterans were not as consistent. David Schillinger had a great second game against Cheney with 18 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Brian Lindley had a 31-point effort against Pullman.
But they only hit a quarter of their shots in the tournament, including a combined 4 of 24 against Colville. WV as a whole shot 25 percent to Colville’s 66 percent.
And the best free throw shooting team in Feist’s tenure as coach hit 3 of its first 9 tries. Thus, WV didn’t respond to 11 of 14 first quarter field goal and 6 of 9 first-half three-point shooting by Colville.
“I’m not sure we approached the tournament with the intensity we needed to win,” said Feist in his final assessment.
But like any coach, Feist tried to stress the positive. The Eagles finished with a league best 19-5 record. They won a fifth straight league championship and made a 10th straight district final.
“The alternative is to not be there,” he said. “We were unable to qualify for state, which is disappointing, but I’m not sure we did anything wrong.
“We just lost the last game (of the district playoffs), which hasn’t happened for awhile. Going to state is not a birth right.”