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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

GSL boys: Rogers remains in first place with victory over Shadle Park

Ask Rogers boys basketball coach Joel Soter if he expected his team to be atop the Greater Spokane League early in 2015 and he gives the quick answer.

It’s a two-letter word.

Soter understands his Pirates were picked to finish eighth. But he very well expected his team to compete each game.

So far, so good.

The visiting Pirates remained in first by finishing strongly against Shadle Park, holding off the Highlanders 76-69 on Friday night.

Kobe Reece made both ends of a one-and-one to put Shadle ahead 67-64 with 3:38 remaining.

But the Pirates (6-2 overall, 6-2 league) outscored the Highlanders 12-2 the rest of the way, taking advantage of five Shadle turnovers in the final 3 minutes.

Shadle (6-3, 4-3) fell out of a four-way tie for second.

“I knew we had a good team. I knew we were probably better than eighth where we were picked to finish, but I wasn’t expecting this,” Soter said. “The league’s tough and we’re winning close games that in the past historically we haven’t won. I knew we could compete with the best teams in the league.”

Rogers got out quickly. The Pirates used a 7-0 surge to forge their first lead. After Shadle tied it briefly, Rogers went on another run, taking a 25-14 lead into the second quarter.

Shadle started abusing Rogers with its size inside, pulling within 38-36 by halftime when Kylan Kelley hit a 3-point bank shot from the top of the key at the buzzer.

In the third quarter, the Highlanders continued to feed Reece, a 6-foot-6 junior post, in the key, and he scored nine of his game-high 23 points.

“They had a lot of success (inside) and that’s what got them back in the game,” Soter said. “Our tallest guy, Melik (Hampton), was in foul trouble, but even when he was in there Reece took it to him, too.”

A putback at the buzzer by Sam Stratton gave Shadle a 60-59 lead going into the final quarter.

Shadle controlled early play, eventually building its biggest lead at 67-64. But the Pirates responded.

“We grind it out and finish at the end,” Soter said.

The Pirates aren’t fearful to shoot that’s for sure. Leading the way was KJ Hassett and Robert Rucker, who finished with 23 and 22 points, respectively.

It was a game that featured little defense. The win followed a similar pattern for Rogers.

“We have to keep attacking, stay aggressive and play defense and our time will come,” Rucker said.

Like his coach, Rucker expected to be in the thick of things this season.

“I felt my team was confident and ready to come out doing what we’re doing,” he said. “We expected to do well.”

Lewis and Clark 59, North Central 46: The Tigers (7-2, 5-2) stayed just behind Rogers, cruising past the visiting Indians (1-8, 0-7). Justin Martin made six 3-pointers, finishing with a career-high 22 points, and Dominick Oliveri had 10 to pace LC. Shane Pethers led NC with 16.

Central Valley 53, Ferris 42: The visiting Bears (7-2, 5-2) also stayed a game behind Rogers, bolting to a 30-15 lead by halftime. Michael Hannan led CV with 23 points and Max Sykes and Tanner Sloan each had 11. Mike Ervin led Ferris (3-5, 1-5) with 15.

University 54, Mead 44: The visiting Titans (7-2, 5-2) won their sixth in a row to stay a game behind Rogers. Austin Dill led with 14 points and Spencer Matt and Robert Little added 10 apiece. Max Hess led Mead (5-4, 3-4) with 20. The Titans took control, outscoring Mead 12-3 in the third.

Gonzaga Prep 66, Mt. Spokane 36: The visiting Bullpups (5-4, 4-3) raced to a 40-17 halftime lead and didn’t look back. Logan Adams led with 16 points and Nick Wood added 13. Kyle Griffiths led the Wildcats (1-7, 1-5) with 11.