Battle for Bone to be a battle

It’s tough to know which Owen coach to believe.

Central Valley and University square off tonight in their annual Battle for the Bone wrestling grudge match that could decide the league championship with another week left in the regular season.

The Bears’ John Owen calls both teams as equal as they can get. The Titans’ Don Owen says CV is favored.

So we asked the third Owen brother who coaches in the GSL – Tim at Ferris.

“Central Valley is favored,” Tim said.

So we’ll take his word for it.

The action begins at 7 and the gym is bound to be packed.

“It’s dead-red even,” John Owen said. “Remember, he’s (Don) undefeated for a reason.”

“John’s got a very deep team,” countered Don. “My holes are bigger than his holes. We’ve got our work cut out for us. He’s favored in eight matches and we’re favored in five. It should be a really good event for the fans to see and nerve wracking for the coaches.”

John Owen said there could be some surprises.

“The awesome thing about this rivalry is nothing goes to script,” he said. “Somebody will get a great upset somewhere. The momentum will swing back and forth. It should go right down to the wire. It might be one of the best Battle of the Bones ever.”

Sandpoint volleyball coach Alsager resigns

Karen Alsager has stepped down as head volleyball coach at Sandpoint after nine seasons.

She coached two state championship teams, one state runner-up, two third-place state teams and her final team took fourth.

“I have three kids in high school,” Alsager said. “I’m really feeling like these years are flying by. I’m not there to make dinners and I’m not there to ask about school work. It’s more my heart telling me there are other things I want to do with my time.”

Sandpoint athletic director Kris Knowles said he will open the job for applications in the spring once he knows whether he has a teaching job to attach to the position.

“She’s had a helluva record,” Knowles said. “We’ll miss her leadership. She brings a level of volleyball knowledge that will be difficult to replace.”

Alsager, a Moscow, Idaho, native, was a standout player at the University of Idaho and is in the Vandals Hall of Fame.

She spent 22 years coaching in college and high school. Her first job, five years at Emmett High, included a state title.

Alsager sees continued success for Sandpoint, which historically is considered one of the top programs in the state.

“They were doing well before I got there and they’ll continue to do well,” she said.

All-State soccer

The Washington State Soccer Coaches Association has announced its fall 2013 All-State teams.

In 4A, Central Valley forward Savannah Hoekstra was named the Most Valuable Player after the Bears won the state title. Her coach, Andres Monrroy, was named Coach of the Year.

CV freshman Kelsey Turnbow, a forward, was named to the second team along with teammate McKenna Stocker, a defender.

Kara Marbury and Martha Heaps of Mead were named honorable mention.

In 3A, Ashlee Pedersen of Mt. Spokane, a defender, was named second team.

In 2A, Alex Rankin of East Valley, a midfielder, was named second team and Davien Engeberg of West Valley was named honorable mention.

In 1A, junior forward Jocelyn Cook-Cox of Lakeside was named first team and her sister, senior Ashley Cook-Cox, was named honorable mention.

In 2B/1B boys, Erik Muelheims (forward), Matt Arlt (defender) and Peter Worrall (goalie) of St. George’s were named first team and teammates Nik Avakyan and Colin Cremers were named to the second team.