CV survives G-Prep scare

The rich got richer in Greater Spokane League girls basketball, although Central Valley survived a scare at Gonzaga Prep to keep pace with its fellow leaders.

Lewis and Clark improved to 12-0 with its 45th straight victory, on the road at University. The Tigers are up three games in the win column over Mead, Shadle Park and the CV Bears, who all earned their ninth wins of the year.

But CV (9-3) had to come from behind after squandering a comfortable lead early in the third-quarter at G-Prep (6-6) to pull off the 52-49 victory.

Troubled by Bullpups defensive pressure, the Bears trailed 41-40 in the fourth quarter following Bullpup Tia Presley’s 3-pointer. CV had only one field goal in the period, by junior Brandy Johnson to break a 46-all tie with 2:45 left.

The rest of the points came from the free-throw line. Freshman Whitney Black was 4 for 4 at the line in the final quarter and iced the game with 14 seconds remaining.

The Bullpups got off a pressured 3-point attempt that fell well short and CV garnered the rebound to preserve the lead.

Presley, a sophomore, finished with 26 points, 18 in the second half, to fuel the comeback. She made 5 of 7 field goals and all seven free throws.

Freshman Brooke Gallaway scored 15 for CV to lead the Bears in scoring before fouling out with 1:40 remaining to play.

Lewis and Clark 63, University 45: A 19-9 fourth quarter, including 10 points from the free-throw line in 15 attempts, helped the Tigers to their victory. The host Titans (6-6) had cut the deficit to six points in the third quarter. Jeneva Anderson scored all 18 of her points in the middle two quarters. Sarah Kliewer added 13. Chenise Pakoota led U-Hi with 15 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Zoe Scott added 10 points. The Titans made 18 of 32 free throws.

Mead 62, Ferris 31: Tifa Puletasi announced today her oral commitment to play for Saint Mary’s in the West Coast Conference. She then scored 14 of her 16 points in the first half to spark a 29-7 advantage in the Panthers’ (9-2) win at Ferris (2-10). Jazmine Redmon also scored 16 and had seven rebounds and four assists. Ferris season scoring leader Ashley Lockmer scored 12 points. Christie Bauer added nine.

Shadle Park 56, Mt. Spokane 36: The host Highlanders (9-2) had 13 steals and Bianca Pope nine pass deflections in the win over the Wildcats (3-7). Three Shadle players finished in double figures. Chelsea Chandler led with 14 points, Lindsay Niemeier added 13 and Amanda Carlton, who made three 3-pointers, scored 11. Averi Hallman and Katie Karish combined for 22 for Mt. Spokane.

East Valley 63, Rogers 29: Four Knights (6-6) finished in double figures on spirit game night to extend the visiting Pirates’ (0-11) frustrations. Janae Knopp led EV with 15 points and had six rebounds. Jenni White (12), Kim Thatcher (11) and Morgan Manchester (10) pitched in. Rogers’ Samantha Roybal led all scorers with 16.