GSL boys: Lewis and Clark boys stay unbeaten at 6-0 with 61-54 win over Ferris

Jim Redmon refuses to take all the credit.

The first-year Lewis and Clark boys basketball coach said the foundation for the Tigers’ success this season was established by former coach Jeff Norton.

More than anything, Redmon hopes his infusion of energy has shot some confidence into the Tigers.

A 6-0 start stands as evidence.

The Tigers got out to a 14-0 lead at Ferris and then held off the young Saxons 61-54 in Greater Spokane League action Tuesday.

It’s safe to say that no LC team has had such a start – considering that in the 38-year history of the league no Tigers team has won a championship.

LC has matched its win total of last season (6-14).

“The foundation was laid early with Jeff,” Redmon said. “These guys are more mature, they’re older and we’ve just moved on with what they had already learned.”

The win boosted the Tigers (4-0 in league) into first by themselves after Rogers upset Central Valley 56-54.

The Tigers came within three seconds of throwing a shutout in the first quarter. A 3-pointer by Jace Van Lierop allowed Ferris (0-3, 0-3) to finish the period trailing 14-3.

The Saxons used a 7-0 surge to pull within 14-7, but LC got it back to double digits (18-7) moments later.

A basket by Brody Asbury gave LC a 26-20 lead at halftime.

Ferris got into the bonus and ultimately the double bonus early in the second half, and used free throws to cut into LC’s lead in the third quarter. A foul shot by freshman Mike Ervin pulled the Saxons within 41-39 going into the fourth.

The Saxons trimmed it to 43-41, but the Tigers, who led start to finish, wouldn’t budge.

“We’re still struggling with the adjustment to the foul calling,” Redmon said. “We’re not saying that the refs are doing anything wrong, it’s what it is.”

Isaiah Hernandez and Dominick Oliveri led LC with 15 points apiece. Oliveri led with 10 rebounds.

“He’s an awesome coach,” Hernandez said of Redmon. “He keeps it positive all the time. He believes in us and he just wants us to buy in and play hard.”

Ferris – which starts two freshmen and a sophomore – was led by Van Lierop’s 16 points. Murphy Butte had 15 and seven rebounds.

Hernandez expected LC’s season to start well.

“We had confidence we were going to play better this year,” he said.

Gonzaga Prep 58, Mead 55: The Bullpups (2-3, 2-2) made 10 of 17 3-pointers to hold off the visiting Panthers (4-2, 2-2). Logan Adams led G-Prep with 24 points, most of which came on six 3-pointers.

Will McPhee and Max Hess paced Mead with 18 and 16.

Shadle Park 67, North Central 50: The Highlanders (4-2, 2-2) used a 22-7 outburst in the third quarter to pull away from the Indians (1-5, 0-4) at NC. George Pilimai led Shadle with 17 points. NC’s Riley Smith led all scorers with 25.

University 79, Mt. Spokane 50: The Titans (2-2, 2-2), who led by 12 points at half, blew it open by outscoring the visiting Wildcats (1-2, 1-2) 22-8 in the third. Austin Dill led U-Hi with 14 points and seven rebounds. Garrett Schmerer had 11 points and five assists.