Indians overcome Wildcats

North Central’s season of harrowing Greater Spokane League basketball results continued Friday night with a 49-48 victory at Mt. Spokane.

The Indians (5-2), third in league behind Gonzaga Prep and Shadle Park, got timely blocked shots by 6-foot-8 post Lucas Evans, offsetting a 32-point game by Chaz Johnson.

Johnson hit four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats (3-4) tried to rally. But they were just 6 for 12 from the free-throw line in the final quarter and the game ended with a missed Mt. Spokane shot and mad scramble for the ball.

Shadle Park and NC, Class 3A teams, are both ahead of a six-team GSL pack – five of them 4A schools – whose records are lumped between 4-3 and 3-5.

The Indians and Wildcats were tied at half before Mt. Spokane clamped down on defense, taking a 31-25 lead.

Darwin Nelson led NC with 14 points, Nathan Pelton scored eight of his 12 in the fourth quarter and Evans finished with 10.

Mt. Spokane had a 38-25 rebounding advantage, including 19 offensive boards, but was thwarted by NC’s post defense. Overall, the team was 16 of 27 from the free-throw line, while the Indians converted 11 of their 12.

Mead 64, Lewis and Clark 49: The visiting Panthers (4-3) made 9 of 16 3-pointers during the game and outscored the Tigers (3-5) by 16 points in the second half. Bo Tully scored a season-high 16 points to lead Mead. Sean Hoffmann scored 12 for LC.

Gonzaga Prep 77, Ferris 45: Sean Fischer’s 31 points, including three 3-pointers in the first quarter, made quick work of the host Saxons (4-3) and kept the visiting Bullpups (8-0) unbeaten. Fischer was 4 for 4 from beyond the arc in the third quarter and 7 for 8 for the game.

Central Valley 54, University 46: The host Bears (3-5) outscored their rivals 20-7 in the third quarter to rally for victory. CV’s Alex Howard had six of his 10 points in the period. Teammate Evander Cobbs had four steals and five rebounds. U-Hi’s Aaron Blaska led all scorers with 16, but the Titans (1-6) converted only 20 percent of their field-goal tries in the second half.

Shadle Park 60, East Valley 48: Trailing by six points after a quarter, the visiting Highlanders (7-1) went to a full-court press with good results against the Knights (0-7). Shadle was 7 for 12 from the field during a 21-point third quarter. Robby Douglas scored 21 points for the Highlanders as he and Luke Jordan split six 3-pointers. Anthony Brown had 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists for Shadle.