CV girls defeat defending state champion LC

The Central Valley girls basketball team went undefeated in three consecutive tournaments in June.

The Bears picked up where they left off Tuesday, throttling the defending State 4A champion Lewis and Clark Tigers 75-55 in a Greater Spokane League opener at CV.

Freshman Michaela Kay hit a 3-pointer to pull LC even at 18 at the 6-minute, 10-second mark of the second quarter. But the Bears zipped away from the Tigers thereafter.

CV’s top six players scored six or more points, led by four-year starter Brooke Gallaway’s game-high 26.

The 5-foot-10 Gallaway is playing her natural position this season – wing. She flourished in the opener, working well from the perimeter to the low block. Her aggressiveness inside was rewarded as she got to the free-throw line and made 11 of 14 shots.

“This is the first year that I’m really a 3 (wing),” Gallaway said.

It’s obvious that the play of posts Madison Hovren, a freshman, and Mariah Cunningham, a sophomore, will give Gallaway more opportunities than she’s had.

“They’ve been working really hard,” Gallaway said of her taller teammates.

CV coach Freddie Rehkow said he will use Gallaway at as many as three positions.

“She’s just one of those hybrids,” Rehkow said. “You can put her at the 3, put her at the 4 (forward) or at the 2 (shooting guard). She’s so versatile depending on the matchups. Right now she’s in a perfect position. It allows her to have a little more space to work.”

And it will create multiple headaches for opponents.

LC, the preseason No. 1 pick by the Seattle and Tacoma newspapers, didn’t have an answer for Gallaway. But then again, the Tigers didn’t have an answer for the Bears in general.

“I thought they were more physical,” LC coach Jim Redmon said. “We didn’t match that physicality.”

CV used an 18-7 start in the third quarter to build a 59-37 lead. A 9-foot jumper by Gallaway extended the Bears’ biggest lead to 61-37 moments later.

“We had a good summer, but it was just the first game,” Gallaway said. “We still have a lot of work to do.”

Rehkow agreed.

“The key is we have to stay grounded,” Rehkow said. “This is just one win. We’ve got (Gonzaga) Prep on Friday and Chiawana on Saturday.”

Hovren had 13 points and nine rebounds and Cunningham added seven points and eight rebounds.

Nakia Arquette led LC with 15 points and five rebounds.

“They (the Bears) looked really good,” Redmon said. “We’ve got a lot of things to work on.”

Gonzaga Prep 68, Ferris 53: The Bullpups used a fast start to give 24-year coach Mike Arte his 300th career win.

G-Prep cruised to a 29-15 lead through the first quarter. Lindsay Stockton led the Bullpups with 14 points and Madison Wright had 12 and six rebounds. Cassidy Phillips led the visiting Saxons with 12 points.

University 44, Mead 35: The victorious Titans enjoyed a big advantage over the visiting Panthers at the free-throw line.

The Titans made 18 of 27 free throws to Mead’s 0 of 3. Kayleigh Valley led U-Hi with 19 points, six steals and five rebounds. Delaney Junkermier led Mead with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists.

North Central 44, Mt. Spokane 36: Hailey Markham-Patti had 14 points and Bri Smith added 12 as the visiting Indians used 13-point quarters in the first and fourth to top the Wildcats.

Alyssa Lloyd led Mt. Spokane with 10 points and eight rebounds.

Shadle Park 61, Rogers 12: The visiting Highlanders, who led 28-8 at halftime, shut out the Pirates 16-0 in the third quarter to build an insurmountable lead.

Aleisha Hathaway led Shadle with 12 points.