North Central ties CV for 2nd

A strategic decision paid dividends late in the Greater Spokane League wrestling showdown when once-beaten North Central traveled to unbeaten Central Valley Thursday night.

But one early win in particular proved huge as NC’s Indians share second place with the Bears (both 7-1) following their 35-29 victory.

Junior Jace Clary, on his back for nearly the entire second period of his 145-pound contest with Jake Hollenbeck – the night’s second contest – forced a tie with fewer than 30 seconds left in the third round and won by pin in overtime to get NC going.

“That was a huge point swing,” NC coach Luke Leifer said.

It was part of the Indians’ decisive six wins in seven matches – between 145 and 285 – for a 26-10 lead that proved difficult for CV to overcome.

“This was our most important match of the year,” Clary said. “All the coaches said we needed to come out with our ‘A’ game.”

Clary said his favorite takedown move, a heel pick that forces opponents to their back, works best late when a wrestler is tired and on their heels. It gave him an earlier OT win over a two-time state champion and in this pivotal match against the Bears.

Clary’s victory was followed by another key win, by transfer Jeremiah Yates in his second varsity appearance. He scored four late points for the 12-5 victory at 152.

Both wins were part of a pattern. As matches progressed, NC became stronger at the end.

“That’s what we’re trying to push in the practice room,” Leifer said. “We’re perfecting what we’re good at and outworking everybody.”

The decision to bump Jared Berlinger up to 125 – and hope that CV’s Jarod Maynes would follow for another meeting of state placers – also made a huge difference. Although Maynes rallied for a 3-2 win on a takedown with 41 seconds remaining, it created opportunity at 119 for NC’s Ryan Allison.

Allison responded with a 7-4 upset of GSL unbeaten Logan Ames that shocked Leifer.

“I was attacking a lot more,” Allison said. “When I attack, I’m better off.”

•In other GSL matches, University (8-0) gave up a couple of pins in the middle, but otherwise dominated at Mt. Spokane (5-3) 58-12. Taylor Keeton scored seven third-period points to rally over Sawyer Piecewicz 7-6. … Shadle Park (6-2) opened with three straight pins and won six of eight overall while building a 31-9 lead its 43-27 win at Ferris (2-6). … East Valley (3-6) won all but the first and last matches in a 65-6 romp at Gonzaga Prep (0-9). Kris Whitfield of G-Prep remained unbeaten in league at 171. … Host Lewis and Clark (2-6) beat Rogers (1-7) 41-26 by winning the final three matches.

•Great Northern League: Deer Park and Riverside (both 6-0) continue on their collision course for the league title. DP’s Stags won 53-6 at West Valley (2-3), losing only two matches, including to Eagle state champ Quinn Gannon. … Riverside’s Rams beat visiting Colville (1-5) 66-18 as Robert Fair and Deaven Davis moved up from junior varsity and won by pin. … Medical Lake (2-4) topped Pullman (0-6) 63-17. The closest match was at 135, as Cody Park edged Bailey Poitra 5-3 with a third-period takedown. … Hunter Pederson had a pin at 119, and Duncan Rhoades (125) and Eliaf Mason (140) added technical falls as Cheney (3-2) notched a 35-30 win at Clarkston (3-3).

Boys basketball

Nonleague

Lakeland 51, Timberlake 40: Joel Underdahl finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and eight steals to guide the host Hawks (9-6) past the Tigers (6-8) at Rathdrum. Timberlake’s Derek Pukett had 11 points and eight rebounds.

Almira/Coulee-Hartline 73, Kittitas 34: Cody Jess scored 16 of his 22 points in the first quarter to power the Warriors (9-6) past the visiting Coyotes at Coulee City. Derek Isaak and Cody Dillon combined for 37 points for the Warriors, and Chad Carlquist had 10 assists.

Post Falls JV 70, Lakeside (Idaho) 40: The visiting Trojans junior varsity shot 52 percent from the floor in turning back the Knights (6-7) at Plummer. Lakeside lost leading scorer Nate Weaselhead to a possible concussion early in the game.

Girls basketball

Nonleague

Lakeland 58, Bonners Ferry 50: Breezy Stecker scored 13 points and the visiting Hawks (7-11) hit back-to-back 3-pointers late in the game to hold off the Badgers (6-10). Lakeland took advantage of 18 turnovers to forge a 37-19 halftime lead. BF’s Erin Hiatt had 14 rebounds and 11 points.

Almira/Coulee-Hartline 58, Kittitas 36: Nikki Osborne and Sarah Gloyn combined for 25 points and 19 rebounds as the Warriors (13-2) used a strong second half to defeat the Coyotes at Coulee City. Madeline Isaak added 14 points, nine assists and five steals for the Warriors, who led 24-21 at halftime.

Post Falls JV 67, Lakeside (Idaho) 31: Kat Clancy and Jessica Waller combined for 25 points as the visiting Trojans junior varsity defeated the Knights (7-6) at Plummer. Lakeside had 26 turnovers, 20 more than the Trojans.

Coeur d’Alene Charter 52, Kootenai 17: Cara Verhaeghe, Paige Kelly and Lexi Turkenburg combined for 47 points to lead the Panthers (5-9) past the Warriors (1-11) at Harrison.

Intermountain League

Timberlake 46, Kellogg 39: Kara Wenstrom scored 20 points and the visiting Tigers (16-1, 6-0) hit four 3-pointers in the first half and eight free throws in the fourth quarter to hold off the Wildcats (11-6, 3-2) for their eighth consecutive win. Kellogg’s Hailey Fuller had 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Orofino 45, St. Maries 35: Mikayla Moser scored 18 points and the host Maniacs (7-6) outscored the Lumberjacks 17-7 from the line to pick up a win. Dusti Huddlesdon scored 13 points for St. Maries (4-9, 0-6).

Gymnastics

Cadie Pratt won the balance beam (9.1 points) and floor exercise (9.2) to guide Mead to the team win during a five-way Greater Spokane League meet at Shadle Park. Mead scored 161.475 for a clear win over runner-up Central Valley (148.0). Mt. Spokane’s Courtney Bray used second-place finishes in all four events to win the all-around at 35.6. Shadle’s Alana Norman finished second in the all-around (34.1) and won the vault (9.1). Lewis and Clark’s Lily Hoch won the uneven bars at 8.75.