Shadle wins another close one
It’s getting to be North Central’s time of year as evidenced by a spirited effort during the Groovy Shoes Spirit Game. But Shadle Park’s boys basketball players have shown they thrive on tension.
In front of 4,977 noisy fans in the Spokane Arena, the Highlanders (a regular-season ending 18-2) made six straight free throws in the final 41 seconds to win a thriller, 62-55.
“They call us the Cardiac Kids,” said sophomore post Aaron Dunn. “We’ve won so many of these close games it doesn’t matter any more.”
Dunn scored 17 points and was 9 for 10 from the free-throw line, making four down the stretch.
Zack Humphrey hit all six of his fourth-quarter free throws, adding 16 points.
Shadle scored 24 points in the final quarter to overcome a spirited effort by the Indians (7-11) who for the last two years have peaked come late-season.
They trailed 10-0 midway through the first quarter, worked their way back into the game and fell behind again 26-15 with 3 minutes, 10 seconds remaining until the half.
But NC outscored Shadle 24-11 through the third quarter behind David Butler, Nick Rijon and Isaiah Antoine, to take a 39-37 lead.
From that point on the game went back and forth until the finish. Rijon, who scored 12 of his game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter, was fouled on a 3-point shot and made all three free throws for a 52-50 lead with 3:09 remaining. The Indians had some late misses inside and out and only three more points.
Shadle scored one basket, by Robby Douglas following Dunn’s tip-out defensive rebound, but the Highlanders were 10 for 12 at the line to survive.
“They came out ready to play,” said Dunn, “but I knew we had an advantage inside and it really helped out.”
University 58, Rogers 55: The Titans (8-11) secured the GSL’s final District 8 4A playoff berth in a nail-biter at home. Mason Johnson hit all six of his 3-pointers and 3 of 4 from the free throw line late, scoring 28 points. Rogers’ (6-14) season ended despite Daniel Anderson’s 21 points.
Ferris 72, East Valley 48: The Saxons (19-0) clinched first place outright in the GSL with a balanced effort and now have won 48 straight games.
Gonzaga Prep 61, Mead 45: Ryan Nicholas scored 15 of his 25 points in the first half as the visiting Bullpups (14-6) topped the Panthers (10-10).
Lewis and Clark 70, Central Valley 60: The Tigers (4-15) kept the host Bears (9-11) reeling as Alex Gauper scored 31 points and Taylor Eglett had 10 rebounds and six assists.