Lewis and Clark jets past Shadle

Perspective is everything.

To the neophyte, undefeated defending state champion Lewis and Clark came out loose and energetic for the District 8 4A championship game Friday at University High, frolicking its way to a 51-33 runaway win over Shadle Park.

But looks are deceiving, Tigers coach Jim Redmon said.

“We actually came out pretty tight,” he insisted. “We didn’t shoot the ball very well. Overall, I didn’t think we played as well as we have been. But we did play well enough, and we did play well on defense. That’s been our trademark all season long.”

One man’s tight is another’s loosey-goosey.

Now 22-0, the Tigers claim the district’s No. 1 seed into next week’s Eastern Regional tournament and will host the fourth-seeded team from the Columbia Basin 4A League Tuesday at Lewis and Clark. No. 2 seed Shadle (18-4) will host the No. 3 CBL seed the same night at Spokane Falls Community College.

The CBL will finalize its seedings tonight, with at least four Greater Spokane League coaches in attendance, taking notes and making videotapes. Walla Walla plays at Moses Lake for the Southeast District title tonight while Richland travels to Pasco to determine the third and fourth seeds.

“We may go watch the championship game and then trade tapes for the 3-4 game,” Redmon said. “That’s the thing about this league, we have always supported one another that way.”

For anyone from the CBL scouting LC and Shadle, the report will include much about the Tigers’ press.

In the first half alone, LC forced Shadle into 15 turnovers – picking backcourt pockets and swarming to double-team with a half-court trap.

“The defense was solid, but we didn’t capitalize on the turnovers the way we’re capable of doing,” Redmon said. “Look, Shadle Park is a very good team and they’re very athletic. They always come out and play us tough.”

Shadle scored 11 first-quarter points, six from the free-throw line – the only quarter the Highlanders managed to score in double figures. The Tigers held Shadle to 13 points the entire second half.

Lexie Petterson and Amanda Carlton each scored eight points to lead the Highlanders.

Junior wing Jeneva Anderson led all scorers with 16 points for LC, with Brittany Kennedy adding another 10.

Playing one last home game before shifting to the Toyota Center in Kennewick is important, Redmon said.

“When you get to this point in the season, you have to be able to handle all the challenges that come with playing this time of year,” he said. “You have different referees, a different environment and a different schedule. That said, putting all that off for one more game is critical.”

Mead 61, Central Valley 43: The Panthers weathered a 19-9 run by CV in the third quarter that saw the Bears take a brief, one-point lead, then hit the gas in the fourth for a 21-14 run to close out the game and secure the No. 3 seed into the regional.

The Panthers got 15 points each from Jazmine Redmon and Tifa Puletasi as well as a dozen blocked shots from 6-5 sophomore post Alexis Olgard.

Mead (18-5) plays at the loser of tonight’s CBL championship game. CV (12-11) travels to play the CBL champion.