Eagles trip Bullpups
There are comebacks and then there are comebacks.
The West Valley High boys rallied from a 12-point third-quarter deficit to defeat host Gonzaga Prep 62-59 in overtime Tuesday night, in the process dropping the Bulldogs into a three-way tie for second in the Greater Spokane League.
But it was a personal comeback that may have made all the difference.
The Eagles’ Rashad Toussaint was dismissed from the team eight games ago after a violation of team rules according to coach Jamie Nilles. But, after a heart-to-heart discussion with Nilles last Friday and some intercession by teammates and assistant coach John Graham, Nilles reinstated the senior guard.
And Toussaint, whose younger brother Arton starts at the point, came through hitting three key fourth-quarter free throws and sparking an Eagles defense that limited Prep to 16 points over the final 15 minutes, 32 seconds.
“It was a tough decision,” Nilles said of Rashad’s reinstatement. “It’s about a kid getting a second chance and putting him into position to become a better man. I feel he has a better chance of doing that being on the team and under my wing.
“He’s paid the consequences for his mistake and let’s give him some credit, after sitting out eight games, he could have just walked away.”
He didn’t and neither did the Eagles after an initial 20 minutes that earned them a Nilles time-out tongue-lashing. The reason: The Bullpups (12-6 overall and 8-3 in the GSL) were flying to the offensive glass, while the quicker Eagles stood and watched. Prep’s 12-point edge (43-31 with 3:29 left in the third) was built on 21 offensive rebounds.
“Our rebounding really stunk,” Nilles said. “To Prep’s credit, (it) crashed the boards from the wings. Plus, our defensive transition was poor as well so we gave up too many easy baskets.”
Both stopped late in the third, and so did the Prep offense.
“We just didn’t handle their pressure very well at that point,” said Bullpups coach Mike Haugen of the turnaround. “They did a great job of utilizing their speed and quickness down the stretch. We tried a variety of things, but nothing worked.”
The Eagles (ranked sixth in the state 3A at 15-3, 8-3 in the GSL) chipped away – a 24-footer by senior Landon Page as time ran out in the third added momentum – before finally taking a 47-46 lead when Rashad hit 1 of 2 free throws with 1:45 left in regulation.
They extended the lead to as much as four before Brandon Kennedy, who had 16 points, brought Prep back with five quick points sandwiched around two Rashad free throws.
A free throw by Tyler Hobbs, who finished with a team-high 13 points, gave WV a 54-52 lead with 11 seconds left before Kennedy’s time-expiring layup came up short. But 6-foot-5 junior Ian Parry grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled with .4 seconds left.
Parry, who had a game-high 18 points, converted both to force overtime.
After trading hoops, the Eagles took a 60-59 lead on an E.J. Richardson putback with 48 seconds left. The Bullpups worked the clock before Kennedy attacked the hoop with 14 seconds left, but Arton was able to get in front and pick up a charge. Arton then hit two free throws before Rashad’s steal clinched it.
But it was the other comeback Nilles is most concerned about.
“I told Rashad it will be 10 years down the road before we know if it was the right decision because that’s when we’ll know if he’s a successful man.”
Ferris 72, Mead 57
The host Saxons (15-3, 9-2) took over sole possession of first behind Caleb Rath’s career-high 17 points and a 22-point first quarter. Mead dropped to 8-10 and 5-6.
University 59, Shadle Park 51 (OT)
The Titans (13-5, 8-3) remained tied for second with the overtime win over the host Highlanders (8-10, 6-5). Shadle’s Zach Humphrey hit a 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds left to send it into overtime where U-Hi hit 9 of 11 free throws to win it.
Mt. Spokane 45, CV 42
A 35-point second half lifted the visiting Wildcats (9-9, 6-5) into a three-way tie for the sixth and final 4A District playoff spot with two games left. The Bears (12-6, 6-5) had a three-game winning streak snapped.
Cheney 72, East Valley 58
The Blackhawks (9-9, 5-6) outrebounded the host Knights (5-13, 2-9) 27-15 to earn the win.
North Central 71, Rogers 39
Damal Neil’s 21 points and 10 rebounds led the host Indians (8-10, 5-6). Scotty Livengood of the Pirates (2-17, 0-11) had 19 points, and was 11 of 11 at the line.
Clarkston 55, Lewis and Clark 54
Ryan Turnbow hit three free throws with .5 seconds left, lifting the visiting Bantams (9-9, 6-5) past the Tigers (5-12, 3-8). LC had taken the lead with 12 seconds left on a putback by T.J. Lee-Hill, who led LC with 16 points.