G-Prep outlasts Mt. Spokane

There’s something about the way Mt. Spokane’s boys basketball team plays defense that gives Gonzaga Prep fits.

The Wildcats beat the Bullpups twice last year. Tuesday night at G-Prep, they led early and trailed by only three points late in the third quarter.

This time, G-Prep (3-0) parlayed another workman like effort by 6-foot-6 post Ryan Nicholas and was flawless at the free-throw line until near game’s end, winning 60-49 to remain undefeated in the Greater Spokane League.

“They have a great zone that always seems to give us trouble,” said Nicholas, who scored seven of his team-high 18 points during an 11-2 run beginning late in the third quarter and ending 3 minutes into the fourth for a 45-33 advantage.

The Bullpups then reeled off 14 straight free throws, giving them 23 without a miss until 34 seconds remained in the game, to maintain the double-digit lead.

Despite the defensive effort, Mt. Spokane (0-2) remained winless and still searching for scoring other than by Chaz Johnson. Johnson finished with 28 points, giving him 50 of the Wildcats’ 108 points this year.

“We’ve got kids not playing within themselves and others not looking to score,” Mt. Spokane coach Bill Ayers said. “We’re not playing as well as we’re going to play. We’re going to be better.”

Mt. Spokane took a 5-2 lead it nursed for nearly 6 minutes of the first quarter. G-Prep scored the final six points of the period and led 19-8, fueled by shooting guard Sean Fischer.

A late flurry, including two points following a technical foul on the Bullpups’ Travis Long at the halftime buzzer, helped the Wildcats pare that to 24-18. They trailed 34-31 when Long scored with 43 seconds left in the third quarter that started them on their way.

Nicholas’ ability to work for position with a body on him produced inside baskets or trips to the free-throw line where he made 10 of 11 attempts. David Stockton was 8 of 8 as G-Prep finished 26 of 29 overall.

“We just kept working hard and moving the ball around until they got tired. That’s all you can do, really,” Nicholas said. “Never take a play off. I like leaving the court knowing I don’t have anything left.”

G-Prep coach Mike Haugen said Mt. Spokane’s defensive success is its ability to deny the fast break and then pack things inside to make it difficult on the posts.

“They have a way to get us out of our comfort zone,” he said. “They do a nice job of keeping us from running and the zone just slows us down. We like post touches and Bill knows that, and he makes it tough for our posts to touch the ball.”

The Bullpups spread things out and worked to get the ball to Nicholas. Besides his scoring, he had double-figure rebounding. Fischer and point guard Stockton scored 13 apiece.

Mt. Spokane countered primarily with Johnson. He scored 10 of the Wildcats’ 18 first-half points and all but 13 of their 31 second-half points. Cory Plaggerman, a bear on the offensive boards, was the only other Wildcat with more than four points.

“They had too many rebounds and that should never happen,” Haugen said. “But even though it wasn’t a game with the type of tempo we would like, I thought the kids played really tough and battled through it.”

Rogers 61, Mead 49: The visiting Pirates (2-1) served notice they’ll be a factor, controlling things against the Panthers (1-1).

Deavon Daniels scored seven of his 15 points in the fourth quarter when Rogers pulled away. Jesse Vaughn led all scorers with 20 and Zach Nelson added 17. Between them, they were 8 of 10 at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. Mead’s Grant Fink scored 16 points to lead three Panthers in double figures.

Ferris 68, East Valley 40: The defending state champions (1-0) opened the season with their 59th straight win. Three players finished in double figures, led by Riley Stockton’s 15, as they outscored the Knights 20-7 in the final quarter. EV (0-3) made seven 3-pointers, three by Jared Sol.

Lewis and Clark 62, North Central 58: Levi Taylor continued to be as prolific a scorer in basketball as he was a rusher in football. The junior scored 26 points for the host Tigers (1-1), who pulled even with three other teams, including NC (1-1).

NC built a 31-24 halftime lead and led by 11 early in the third quarter, but with Taylor scoring 17 points in the second half, LC rallied. Taylor was 8 of 11 from the field had five rebounds and two steals. Nathan Pelton and Lucas Evans each scored 14 for the Indians.

Shadle Park 74, University 61: The host Titans (1-2) proved game in a fast-paced game, but the unbeaten Highlanders (3-0) had a bit more firepower.

Five Shadle players scored in double figures, led by Robby Douglas’ 19. Matt Barnes scored 12 and pulled down nine rebounds. Tony Tabish and Kyle Bailey scored 12 each for U-Hi.