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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Galloway leads Saxons past Knights


Mead's Nikki Nelson, top, lands on Shadle Park's Nicole Cantu during a battle for a loose ball on Tuesday night at Shadle Park High School.
 (Brian Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

A little improvisation by Jenna Galloway came at an opportune time for victorious Ferris as Greater Spokane League basketball began for real on Tuesday.

Galloway found an open lane following an inbounds pass, scored a clutch basket with 15 seconds left and the Saxons (4-4, 1-0) went on to beat East Valley 44-41 in the taut girls game.

“I just took the ball and went with it,” said Galloway, who led Ferris with 14 points. “I knew we were down and needed two points or so. We didn’t have too much time on the shot clock so I went for it.”

Ferris trailed 41-40 following a play designed for EV’s Eleaya Schuerch, who scored while fouled to put the Knights (4-4, 0-1) ahead.

But she missed the ensuing free throw, and when the Knights tipped a pass out of bounds under Ferris’s basket the stage was set for Galloway.

She was the initial option on the play as well, but it didn’t work as planned. So Galloway worked open on the right side of the court for the pass, turned and found the open lane to the basket for the go-ahead score.

Given how even the two teams were and the fact 3A East Valley is considered a 4A GSL spoiler, the game promised to go to the final possession and almost did.

Schuerch had the ball knocked loose on EV’s attempt at the win and Lexi Lallas hit two free throws with 2 seconds left to lock up Ferris’ victory.

Each team took its turn leading in the first half. But terrible Ferris shooting was offset by East Valley turnovers and they were separated by just two points at intermission.

Three-point baskets by Kylee Williamson and Ashley Grater, EV’s scoring leader with a dozen, put EV ahead 31-21 with 5:09 left in the third quarter. However, Ferris scored the final 12 points of the quarter, including two baskets by Amber Quann.

From there the teams scrapped for an advantage until Galloway’s difference-maker.

“I think both teams were struggling with their shooting and the game had no flow,” said Saxons coach Art Rojas. “We just had to gut it out and Jenna’s good at creating.”

EV hurt itself in the second half by making just 2 of 9 free throws. By contrast Ferris made 7 of 12 in the final 16 minutes and it made a big difference.

Mead 47, Shadle Park 42

The Panthers (6-2, 1-0) reversed the outcome of their non-league meeting when the Highlanders, (5-3, 0-1) won by a point. Both victors won on the road.

Mead raced to a 16-5 first-quarter lead and after Shadle cut the deficit to two points in the third quarter had enough to hold on.

Alysha Green, with 14 points, and Kami Clark, 17, both scored season highs. The victors were missing second-leading scorer Kelli Valentine and scoring leader Nikki Nelson was held to a basket.

Lexie Petterson had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Highlanders.

Gonzaga Prep 69, North Central 61

The Bullpups (7-1, 1-0) built a big lead through three quarters and weathered the host Indians’ (2-6, 0-1) 22-point fourth quarter rally.

It was a game that pitted the Fiorillo sisters, Prep’s Morgan and NC’s Katelyn, against each other.

Three G-Prep players, Tara Cronin (17 points), Sarah Jennings (15) and Corinna O’Brien (12) finished in double figures. Ashlee Michelson had 17 for the Indians.

Central Valley 75, Clarkston 49

Trailing by five points after a quarter, the host Bears (5-1, 1-0) went on a 40-9 tear through the middle two quarters to dismantle the Bantams (3-4, 0-1).

League scoring leader Heidi Heintz had 24 points for Central Valley, a dozen in the second quarter where Clarkston had just one basket.

Misty Atkinson scored 22 points for the Bantams.

Mt. Spokane 51, West Valley 10

The resurgent Wildcats (4-4, 1-0) won easily at home over the Eagles (1-7, 0-1). The victory followed their two wins and tournament title last week in Seattle.

Mt. Spokane was smothering on defense and shot 45 percent from the field, led by Callie Bergstrom’s 16 points.

University 62, Rogers 33

Janna Erickson scored 18 points in the Titans’ (6-2, 1-0) easy win at home against the Pirates (2-6, 0-1). Tonya Schnibbe had five assists, five steals and seven rebounds and Angie Bjorklund pulled down 11 boards for U-Hi.

D’Erica Jones scored 10 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Pirates.

Lewis and Clark 82, Cheney 36

Eleven players scored as the Tigers (7-0, 1-0) remained unbeaten with an easy win over visiting Cheney (4-4, 0-1).

Heather Bowman had 16 points and 12 rebounds and two others scored 12 each, including Brittany Kennedy who added six steals and six assists.

Heather Burke led Cheney with 13 points.