Shadle ends Saxons’ run

Midway through the third quarter and trailing 39-26, Shadle Park boys basketball players had an epiphany: They were the more experienced team.

Heretofore outhustled and outscored by youthful Ferris, and in danger of losing their own unbeaten record – at home yet – the Highlanders found resolve and another second-half outburst by Anthony Brown for a 66-59 victory Friday in Greater Spokane League boys basketball.

Brown ignited a 35-10 rally with eight of the 13 points in a three-minute span that tied the score. Coupled with input from Luke Jordan during the spurt, the Highlanders (4-0) pulled in front 61-49 and brought to an end the Saxons’ two-plus-year winning streak at 59 games.

“Give credit to Ferris,” Highlanders coach Tim Gaebe said. “That’s a good program and has good players. What they did was quite a feat. I’m just glad we were the ones to end it.”

Early in the year, Ferris coach Don Van Lierop had said his one returning player off last year’s state championship team might be better suited coming off the bench. His observance proved astute.

Three sophomores and two juniors started against Shadle and displayed no awe with their attacking style, despite their rookie status. But it was Justin Stewart, the Saxons’ senior sixth man, who scored nine second- quarter points to fuel a 32-24 halftime lead.

Ferris (1-1) was quicker to the basket and outscrapped the Highlanders for rebounds in a game when most of the early points by both teams came on dribble-drives to the basket. The game went back and forth for a quarter and one-half, but the Saxons finished it with a 13-4 flourish.

“They were jamming it right to us,” Gaebe said.

Third quarter was more of the same until Shadle switched to a zone to try and keep its foe away from the basket. Taylor Kamitomo, a 6-foot-2 guard, was particularly adept at beating the Highlanders to the ball. He scored five points as the visitors took their biggest lead.

That’s when Brown, on the bench much of the first half with three fouls, went to work. He hit two 3-pointers sandwiched around another by Jordan, then got the tying score with 1:56 left.

He and Jordan, who scored a team-high 15 points, scored again for a lead. Jordan added five more points, breaking a 47-all tie to put Shadle up by eight points with 3:12 left to play.

“All I can say is it’s about time,” Jordan said of the streak-ending win. “That’s a solid team and they don’t lack for talent.”

Jordan hit four 3-pointers, seemingly at critical times in the game and during the rally in particular.

Brown, held to one point in the first half, wound up with 13.

“Both of us are emotional and it shows on our game faces,” Jordan said. “Once the game turned in our favor there was no wiping it off.”

Another factor in the outcome was rebounding by Matt Barnes for some clutch inside scoring in the second and fourth quarters. Robby Douglas and Taylor Pettersen also found ways to score, primarily inside, and finished in double figures.

“Getting into the full court press and zone was the difference,” Gaebe said of the comeback. “We picked up the tempo and hit some big shots. It was a great win for the kids.”

Central Valley 72, Rogers 65: The visiting Bears (1-2) pressured early to build a 10-point lead and stretched it to as many as 18 before the Pirates (2-2) cut it to within three points with 34 seconds left.

Michael Williams and Brad Whitley sealed the win with solid free-throw shooting when CV reached the double bonus. They were two of four players in double figures, Williams leading with 16. Rogers’ Jesse Vaughn scored 20 before fouling out.

Lewis and Clark 66, East Valley 50: The host Tigers (2-1) got 24 points from Austin Ehlo and 14 each by Taylor Eglet and Levi Taylor to dispatch the Knights (0-4). LC led 21-12 after a quarter and built on it.

Mt. Spokane 47, Mead 39: The visiting Wildcats (1-2) put the defensive clamps on their rival, leading 25-13 at halftime. Chaz Johnson hit four 3-pointers in the half and finished with 22 points for the Wildcats. Seth Peterson scored 15 for the Panthers (1-2).

North Central 57, University 56: The visiting Indians (2-1) rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit and won when Brandon Olsen scored after a rebound with four seconds left.

Ryan McIntyre of the Titans (1-3) had hit a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left for a one-point lead.