University topples LC in battle of unbeatens

It’s becoming a broken record. More than anything, though, it’s an extension of how the University boys basketball team practices. The Titans came out fast and furious and never allowed the Lewis and Clark Tigers a chance to make it a game Friday as visiting University won going away, 66-44 in a matchup of the Greater Spokane League’s two unbeaten teams. Now just one stands at the top, and it’s becoming doubtful that any team in the league will have much of a chance against University (6-0 overall, 4-0 league). U-Hi scored the game’s first 11 points and led 15-2 before LC scored back-to-back baskets. A basket in the key by Conner Johnson off a nice perimeter pass from Zech Martin extended the Titans’ lead to 21-8 with 19 seconds left in the first period. It took a 3-pointer from Henry Burgess-Miller at the buzzer to pull LC (5-1, 3-1) within 21-11. Brett Bailey made two 3-pointers in the second quarter as U-Hi continued to flow. A steal and a basket by Zach Bruce gave the Titans a 41-18 lead at halftime. “These kids compete unbelievably hard every day in practice,” U-Hi coach Garrick Phillips said. People say, ‘Your kids are so much fun to watch.’ That’s what we get in practice every day.” Bailey led with a game-high 25 points, 17 in the first half, and six rebounds. But it was the all-around play of Martin, who had 16 points, 12 rebounds and two assists, that was too much for LC. “We have a lot of good players and even the players who don’t get to play much in the games push us to our best,” Martin said. “We get better in practice every day.” LC had a 7-0 spurt to open the second half, but the Tigers couldn’t get any closer than 15. Austin Damon led LC with 10 points and five rebounds. U-Hi extended the lead to 65-40 before both coaches emptied their benches with 3:41 remaining. “It helps when you make shots early,” Phillips said. “Our defensive intensity kind of feeds off of that. You know how it goes. When you’re making shots you defend better and when you defend better it helps you make shots.” Martin is the first to say it starts well before game nights. “Without hard practices, we wouldn’t be very good in games,” Martin said. “We knew we needed this win. They guys have wanted to be at the top of the GSL for a long time. It’s our time to come out and get our swagger (on). We know a lot of teams will come after us. We’ve got the target on our chest now and we’re going to get everyone’s best game.” Rogers 67, Mead 55: Amaujae Daniels scored 32 of his game-high 34 points in the second half, including seven 3-pointers, as the Pirates (2-2, 2-2) held off the visiting Panthers (0-6, 0-4). Mead led 13-6 after the first quarter, but Rogers’ comeback started when it outscored the Panthers 23-11 in the third. Carson Murray supported Daniels with 19 points. Forrest Baker and Gunnar Kayser led Mead with 17 each. Central Valley 75, Mt. Spokane 49: The visiting Bears (3-2, 3-1) opened a 44-15 lead by halftime. Anthony Brommer led balanced CV with 16 points and Beau Byus added 13. Tyler Drumheller led the Wildcats (2-4, 1-3) with 10. Ferris 58, North Central 34: The visiting Saxons (3-2, 2-2) led 27-17 at halftime and put it away when they outscored the Indians (1-5, 1-3) 15-5 in the fourth. Chris Wilson led Ferris with 19 points. Jamil Foster had 10 and six rebounds for NC. Gonzaga Prep 62, Shadle Park 59: The Bullpups (3-3, 3-1) used a 20-9 margin in the third to hold off the visiting Highlanders (3-3, 1-3). TJ Bracey led G-Prep with 18 points, making 3 of 4 3-pointers in the third. Jacob Groh added 15. The Bullpups held Shadle’s usual leading scorer, Brett Boese, to eight.