Bookend basketball

A quick start and pivotal 3-minute stretch in the fourth quarter were the defining moments in a Greater Spokane League boys basketball game Friday between teams vying for fourth place.

Ferris’ Riley Stockton bloodied visiting North Central with 13 first-quarter points before exiting late in the game after being bloodied himself. The Saxons (9-6, 7-3 GSL) outscored the Indians (7-8, 5-4) 13-2 in the first 3 minutes of the final quarter of their 72-58 triumph.

The victory elated coach Don Van Lierop, who told his charges in the locker room afterward, “That was a big one. You really discombobulated them out there.”

Some of the discombobulation came from Stockton early as his one-man, first-quarter performance rallied Ferris to a 20-12 advantage. It was a lead that stretched to 14 points before the half ended.

The rest came when Ferris extended its defense – sometimes full court, sometimes half – to create havoc during the run that put the hosts back up 60-44. Seven of the 13 points were free throws.

“I came out and tried to be aggressive. It worked out,” said Stockton of his first-quarter outburst. “Then we just played on our heels a bit, but in the fourth quarter kind of got back to our game and became aggressive again.”

The Indians came out smoking in the third quarter. Juniors Zac Hill and Jonathon Smith willed them to within five points. The 6-foot-4 Evans had some terrific moves inside and Smith banged down a couple of 3-pointers as they combined for 17 of NC’s 21 third-quarter points.

After falling behind by double digits again, NC, sparked by Ed Richardson, cut the deficit back to six. But Ferris closed with a 12-4 run, eight more of those from the free-throw line.

It began with 3:05 remaining when Stockton hit the deck and split his head open at the eyebrow. He said he anticipated needing 10 stitches. Then, with 1:07 to go, Richardson caught an inadvertent elbow from Connor Halliday (who was 7 for 8 from the line in the second half) and left with blood gushing from his nose.

“Coach stressed free-throw shooting this week and I’ve been spending a lot of time at it,” said Halliday, who totaled 18 points and also had a big rebounding night against the tall Indians. He said the key was trying to neutralize 6-foot-9 Lucas Evans.

Stockton scored a game-high 20 points, while Hill totaled 19 and Smith 13 for NC.

“NC is a quality team,” Van Lierop said. “They have size and rebound well.

“Connor showed good leadership there and Riley did a really good job for us. It was good for us to learn to finish a game without him.”

Shadle Park 67, Lewis and Clark 61: Trailing by seven points entering the second half, the visiting Highlanders (12-3, 8-1) rode the hot hand of Robby Douglas to victory. Douglas scored 20 of his 24 in the second half, including 14 in the fourth quarter when Shadle outscored the Tigers (7-9, 5-6) 19-13 to break a tie. LC’s Levi Taylor scored 23 points but fouled out with more than 5 minutes left. Brett Boese and Taylor Pettersen combined for 29 more Shadle points in the prelude to today’s showdown with Gonzaga Prep.

Gonzaga Prep 79, Rogers 50: The Bullpups (15-1, 10-1) remained in first place with the easy home victory, jumping to a 25-9 lead over the Pirates (7-9, 3-7) after a quarter. GSL scoring leader Ryan Nicholas had a career-high 29 points and added seven rebounds. Parker Kelly and David Nelson each scored 16, as did Rogers’ Dillon Franklin.

University 67, East Valley 49: The host Titans (7-8, 4-6) spread the wealth, 10 players scoring in an easy victory over the Knights (3-13, 2-8). Caleb Martin scored 15 to lead the way. U-Hi held EV to eight points in the first half and led by 24.

Central Valley 56, Mt. Spokane 40: Trailing at halftime, the visiting Bears kept the Wildcats (1-14, 0-9) winless in league, outscoring them 20-8 in the third quarter and 35-15 overall in the final 16 minutes. Scott Simon (16 points) and Danny Nimri (13) led the way.