Bullpups run and gun past Titans

Sarah Jennings had been accidentally hit in the eye by a candy bar and suffered temporary blurred vision late Friday afternoon at school prior to Gonzaga Prep’s girls basketball game at University.

But her sweet shooting that evening helped spark the Bullpups to a 62-53 road victory in a non-league basketball game between Greater Spokane League unbeatens.

“She just flat out hit everything,” said coach Mike Arte of Jenning’s 11-point first quarter. “I told her next time I’d hit her in the eye with a baseball bat if she’ll shoot like that all the time.”

The Bullpups (4-0) may have been outsized several inches per player, but their self-proclaimed run-and-gun style more than compensated.

Better quickness, crisp passing and uncanny early shooting gave Prep its first win over U-Hi since 2002.

Winning the early battle, Gonzaga played as if it were at home while building an 18-point first-half lead. Its motion offense caused U-Hi problems with its zone defense. Open looks and driving lanes and the resultant hot-shooting by Jennings and multitalented junior Tara Cronin made them pay.

“I’ve been on varsity since my sophomore year and we’ve never been able to beat them,” said Jennings. “We just came out pumped up and I wanted to shoot well and did.”

On defense, the Bullpups wreaked similar havoc constantly beating U-Hi (2-1) to its spots, producing turnovers and generally disrupting the Titans offense.

Jennings hit her first four shots, including three from beyond the 3-point arc. Cronin did damage inside with five baskets as Gonzaga took a 21-10 lead.

“Tara is so versatile inside and outside,” said Arte. “She can shoot 3s, post up and bring the ball up the floor. She’s a wonderful player because she can do so many things.”

Cronin ended the game with 23 points, including enough fourth-quarter free throws to help stave off U-Hi when the hosts began to assert themselves.

“It’s nice to have her inside,” said Jennings, “because we’ve always been good outside shooters. We always look inside (now) because we know if we get the ball to Tara she’s either going to score or draw people to her so we can get to our outside shooters.”

The Bullpups led just 14-10 before going on a 20-6 run in less than 7 minutes that staked them to their biggest lead late in the second quarter.

“As a coach you try to figure out what defense to use,” said Titans coach Mark Stinson. “They were just making shots and shooting lights out so it doesn’t matter what defense you play. You hope they cool off and they did. We played hard, they played hard so all credit to Gonzaga.”

U-Hi closed to within 10 points midway through the third quarter before Prep pulled away again and had enough cushion to withstand the Titans’ fourth-quarter surge.

Point guard Tonya Schnibbe, 17 points and numerous assists, and 6-foot post Janna Erickson, a career-high 20 points, led the comeback to within six points with less than 50 seconds to play, but U-Hi could get no closer.

“I love coaching our kids,” said Arte. “They battle like crazy. They executed so well in the first half. I was so happy with them.”

Lewis and Clark 63, Mead 41

A 13-2 final quarter helped the Tigers (3-0) pull away from the Panthers. Heather Bowman and Ula Tauala combined for 23 points and Jade Peone had three 3-point baskets to offset Kelli Valentine’s 16-point night at Mead (2-1).

North Central 55, West Valley 33

Ashlee Michelson had 17 points and 10 assists and the Indians (1-2) won at home over the Eagles (0-3). They methodically opened ground in each of the four quarters. Alie Hanson added 15 points, while Jordyn Sodorff led WV with 11.

Shadle Park 55, Mt. Spokane 36

The Highlanders (4-0) remained unbeaten with their road victory over the Wildcats (0-3). Lexi Bishop continued on an offensive tear with 19 points. Junior Nicole Cantu added 12. Tiara Pittman had 15 for Mt. Spokane.

East Valley 43, Clarkston 41

The Knights (2-1) ran off nine points in a row to lead by five with 1:20 left and held on for the road victory over the Bantams (1-2). Misty Atkinson led all scorers with 15 for Clarkston. Megan Como scored 10 for EV.

Boys North Central 63, West Valley 58 (OT)

The Indians (2-1) proved that no GSL boys basketball team is impregnable following an early-season overtime shocker at home against the preseason favorite Eagles (2-1).

Eric Beal, who scored 13 points, forced OT by scoring on an in-bounds play with 5 seconds left in regulation. Cody Hauenstein, who had 10 points and seven rebounds hit the shot in overtime that put NC up for good.

WV’s E.J. Richardson led all scorers with 24 points as one of six – three on each team – to finish in double figures.

Mt. Spokane 46, Shadle Park 41

The Wildcats (3-0) remained unbeaten, winning at home over the Highlanders (1-2) who lost their second straight. Mt. Spokane hit its first five shots, three of them 3-pointers to take a 16-6 first-quarter lead, but needed a basket by Tim Roffler with less than a minute to go after Shadle cut the margin to a point. Mike Dorr, who had 14 points, sealed it at the line.

Lewis and Clark 40, Mead 37

The Tigers (1-4) stunned the Panthers (1-3) on the road as Andre Jennings scored eight of his 14 points during LC’s 15-8 fourth-quarter comeback. Lucas Ashe scored 14 for Mead.

East Valley 65, Clarkston 56

Dylan Sattin scored 27 points, including six 3-point field goals as the Knights (1-2) won for the first time and on the road over the Bantams (1-2). Clayton Johnson and Joel Dahmen combined for 30 Clarkston points.

Gonzaga Prep 70, University 45

The host Titans (0-3) trailed nearly all game long, but had pared the deficit to eight points before the Bullpups (2-1) went on a 28-11 fourth-quarter rampage. Beau Azadganian, 18 points, and Houston Stockton, 13, did most of the damage.