The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
59°F
Current Conditions
Overcast clouds
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

GSL girls: Big win for Bears

Central Valley's Madison Hovren, left, snags a rebound over Mead's Payton Douglass during the second half. (Colin Mulvany)
By Thomas Clouse tomc@spokesman.com(509) 459-5495
Central Valley's Madison Hovren, left, snags a rebound over Mead's Payton Douglass during the second half. (Colin Mulvany)

The Central Valley girls basketball team came to the home of defending state champion Mead and won a huge 50-47 game that could have playoff implications.

Both teams came in tied in the Greater Spokane League standings at 6-2, but Central Valley had a secret weapon: Madison Hovren.

The junior post player scored a team-high 27 points and nearly single-handedly won the game, putting CV (8-3, 7-2) in second place in the GSL behind Gonzaga Prep.

“With their size, you have to attack inside or you will be stuck on the outside,” CV coach Freddie Rehkow said. Hovren “did great. Megan Dimmler also did a great job handling the ball under pressure. I’m really proud of my girls.”

With Hovren hovering around the basket, Mead shooters struggled to hit outside shots. Senior guard Delany Junkermier led Mead with 11 points. Junior post Coreen Labish and senior guard Ashlyn Lewey both scored eight.

The teams started even, but behind the tough rebounds and contested baskets by Hovren, Central Valley pulled to a 26-20 lead.

Mead (7-4, 6-3) got down as many as nine points in the second half but clawed their way back. Mead had a chance to tie at the end of the game but Junkermier’s 3-point attempt came up short and Hovren grabbed the final rebound.

“Our coach prepared us well. We all knew they were state champions,” Hovren said. “I knew we could hang and we ended up winning.”

Mead Coach Quantae Anderson said he praised his team for fighting back far enough to have a chance to put the game into overtime.

“This is just one of those leagues where you can’t have an off night,” Anderson said. “We still have a chance.”

Gonzaga Prep 80, Ferris 43: The visiting Saxons (5-6, 4-5) didn’t have enough to counter the balanced and talented league-leading Bullpups (10-1, 9-0). G-Prep placed four players in double-figure scoring, led by the 18 points apiece by Otiona Gildon and Hannah Caudill, who made four 3-pointers. Gildon had 12 rebounds. Larua Stockton and Oona Harrington added 14 and 10 points respectively. Brittney Johnson led Ferris with 16 points and Michele Strauss added 11.

University 65, Shadle Park 56: Leading 42-37 through three quarters, the visiting Titans (4-7, 4-5) broke things open in the final period. U-Hi outscored the Highlanders (4-7, 4-5) 23-9 in the final eight minutes. Emma Kennedy led U-Hi with 15 points, Ashley Woods and Kaitlin Pannell had 12 each and Kylie Collins finished with 10. The Titans made 24 of 27 free throws. Sam Foote led Shadle with 18 points, Shyla Carr had 11 and Josie Walser had 10.

Lewis and Clark 65, Mt. Spokane 44: The Tigers (8-3, 7-2) broke out to a 33-15 lead by halftime over the visiting Wildcats (3-8, 2-7), and Mt. Spokane didn’t have an answer in the second half. Michaela Kay made four 3-pointers, finishing with a game-high 23 points for LC and Riley Lupfer added 17 to go with eight rebounds. Dallas Flager led Mt. Spokane with 16 points.

North Central 49, Rogers 40: Megan Murphy had 20 points and seven rebounds and Brianna King chipped in 15 points and 10 rebounds as the Indians (2-9, 2-7) held off the visiting Pirates (0-11, 0-9). Loretta and Sarah Guertin combined for 21 points to lead Rogers.