All U-Hi players score to defeat Kentlake

University’s girls basketball team finished an impressive first week of the basketball season with its third in win five days, all coming against highly regarded statewide programs.

And its 67-34 victory over Kentlake in the East-West Classic at Gonzaga University was every bit as convincing as the 33-point margin indicates. Particularly considering it was accomplished against a team ranked ninth in pre-season polls, with the Titan starters watching from the bench for the entire fourth quarter.

U-Hi turned on the jets in the second quarter with a 21-3 run that took way any doubt about the outcome. And even in the first half it was strictly a team effort with eight of the 10 players suited up taking their turns contributing.

“Last year was fairly similar,” said coach Mark Stinson of U-Hi’s ease of victory. “Seattle Prep had a decent team that came over. It’s a tough trip.”

The outcome didn’t surprise him, however, nor did the contributions of his entire team.

“When we put the bench in, those are fine basketball players,” Stinson said, “definitely capable of holding their own against any opponent.”

U-Hi came out facing a triangle and two defense that left players like guards Alissa Lanker and sub Jessie Schmedding open. Both responded with first-quarter 3-point baskets and Emily Kuipers scored twice for an early lead.

Then, legs reinvigorated after the tiring game with Snohomish 19 hours earlier, Titans put on a textbook fast-break clinic, six different players scoring during the blitz that made it 39-13 early in the third quarter.

It was 51-19 by quarter’s end and the starting five’s day was done. By game’s end, all 10 players had scored, Angie Bjorklund with 14 points and Kuipers with 11, and U-Hi was 3-0.

What came out of it for the Titan staff?

“It showed our depth is really solid,” said Stinson. “I’m confident we can put anyone in a game and we’re going to be just fine.”

Shadle Park 44, Post Falls 43

Accurate free throw shooting down the stretch enabled the Highlanders to rally from eight points behind to win their first game of the year.

Shadle created some turnovers and made 13 more free throws than the Trojans in the same number of attempts (23), outscoring the hosts team 17-8 in the decisive final quarter. Lacie Smith and Lexi Bishop combined for 25 points to lead the victors.

Mead 50, Franklin 37

It took about 28 minutes of this 32 minute game for the Panthers to figure things out.

But once it happened and foul-troubled Kellie Valentine got back on the floor, the final four minutes was all Mead.

Valentine scored 10 fourth quarter points after Franklin took its only lead of the game, 29-28 with 6:39 remaining. And a clutch rebound putback and free throw by Katie Willemsen with 4:13 to go started the Panthers on a 16-2 that made this oft-sloppy game a runaway.

Alysha Green scored 10 first-half points and Mead led by as many as nine points, 21-12 by getting the better of a free-throw shootout.

Second half was a turnover battle, but Chelsea Mykines hit a couple big 3-point baskets to weather Franklin’s third-quarter surge.

Then, the Panthers got into their flow.

Snohomish 56, Ferris 42

A bad second quarter did in the Saxons in an otherwise evenly played game.

The visitors capitalized on turnovers to go on a 23-11 run that gave them a 34-23 lead at intermission. They were led by Tara Angell, who scored a team high 20 points. Sydney Benson added 13.

Ferris was led by Stacey Cox, who scored a game high 25 points and had nine rebounds.

But 32 turnovers proved costly and the Saxons were outscored by 10 points at the free throw line.