LC topples Shadle

Beware of the uncaged Tiger.

Lewis and Clark, winner of four straight games and five of its last six, is very much a factor in Greater Spokane League boys basketball.

Seven teams are separated by a game with just five remaining in the race for District 8 4A and 3A playoff seeding.

The Tigers (8-7) undid the three-day first-place tie with a 46-38 triumph over Shadle Park on Friday to forge for themselves a piece of a four-way tie for third place.

Today at 2:45 p.m., they host Gonzaga Prep, a team LC upset to start its turnaround after an 85-61 loss to Rogers.

Since then, LC has allowed no more than 54 points to an opponent and was its stingiest against the Highlanders (13-3).

The Tigers slowed the game, and despite falling behind early and trailing 29-26 after three periods, stuck with the strategy.

Then they erupted in the fourth quarter, as 6-foot-7 Sean Hoffmann scored 12 in LC’s 20-9 fourth quarter that put the hosts away.

Hoffmann finished with 18 points and Austin Ehlo added 12.

G-Prep 62, Rogers 43: The host Bullpups (14-2) cooled off the Pirates (8-7), bolting to a 17-6 first-quarter lead and not looking back. David Stockton scored 20 points, divided evenly in each half. Travis Long scored 11 of his 17 in the first half.

On defense, they clamped down on league scoring leader Jesse Vaughan, who had but one field goal as G-Prep regained sole possession of first place.

Mt. Spokane 48, Central Valley 45: The Wildcats (6-8) rallied late to get past the visiting Bears (7-8). They trailed by eight points with 1 minute, 10 seconds remaining in the game but rallied to tie before Chaz Johnson hit a 3-pointer with a couple of seconds remaining. Johnson finished with five 3-pointers and 19 points. Connor Haley added 17 more.

North Central 52, Ferris 49: Trailing by nine points at the half, the Indians (8-7) won at home by pressuring the Saxons (7-8). They tied the game after three quarters and led by as many as seven points in the fourth. Justin Stewart’s shot to tie with 3 seconds left bounced off. Darwin Nelson led NC’s attack with 17 points while Ferris’ Jordan Tonani paced all scorers with 18.

East Valley 63, University 51: A hot start by the host Knights (3-13) enabled them to sweep the season series with the Titans (2-14). EV took a 25-10 first-half lead with post Austin Zurfluh taking four shots and making them all. Bench players added nine first-quarter points – including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Steven Millan – and five rebounds, mainly by James Dorr. Korie Sherman scored 12 and Millan added eight in the second half.