Prep notebook: Rogers to remain in 3A ranks

There’s been much posturing and huffing and puffing regarding reclassification in Washington.

The deadline to opt up came Wednesday afternoon as some west side schools were considering rescinding their opt up declaration.

So the final shaking out of the six classifications won’t officially be known until Thursday. Even then, some schools could appeal where their numbers put them. The WIAA executive board will put its stamp of approval on the next cycle – which will now be four years, instead of two – later this month.

Closer to home, though, the news is good for 3A Rogers. The Hillyard school won’t have to bump up to 4A as feared.

Rogers was hovering near the bottom of 4A when the initial numbers were released in November. But enough west side 3A schools opted to be in 4A.

There was considerable realignment of leagues in the Tacoma area.

The other good news is the 6-4 split among Greater Spokane League schools is intact and, by virtue, the 4A/3A split for football is locked in for the next four years.

The first two years of the separate divisions was especially popular among the 3A schools, allowing them to schedule opponents of similar size and skill level for three nonleague games.

Mead athletic director John Barrington is finalizing the 2016 schedule, which includes slots for nonleague games.

Handshakes have taken place regarding a few nonleague matchups. Here’s what we know now:

Mead is going to play Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls and decided not to renew games with Southridge and Wenatchee.

Ferris is going to play Mountain View of Vancouver and is looking for a second opponent.

Lewis and Clark has agreements with Lake City and Kamiakin.

Central Valley will continue with Lake City and CdA.

University will stay the same with Post Falls and Sandpoint.

The 3A teams have three nonleague games each.

Mt. Spokane takes on Sandpoint and Eastmont and is trying to fill an opening-week slot.

North Central plays Great Northern League teams East Valley, Cheney and West Valley.

Shadle Park has WV, Lakeside and EV.

Rogers faces Deer Park, Pullman and Lakeside.

Not much separation

Basketball among the best boys teams in the Greater Spokane League is nothing short of entertaining.

Gonzaga Prep (11-1 overall, 9-1 league) got a leg up on the upper pack Tuesday with a 51-44 win over Lewis and Clark (9-3, 8-2), which fell into a three-way tie for second with Central Valley (10-2, 8-2) and Shadle Park (9-3, 8-2).

The Bullpups reversed a 63-53 loss to LC (9-3, 8-2) last month.

Shadle Park and LC face off Friday at LC. Tipoff is at 7:15. Shadle beat LC last month.

The Highlanders have clearly established that they’re the best team among the 3A teams. It’s not even close.

The football players off G-Prep’s state-title winning team have blended in well. Coach Matty McIntyre likes the direction his team is headed.

“The beautiful thing is – and the thing I’m so pleased about – is the kids are responding,” McIntyre said. “They’re listening and they’re willing to change when we ask them to correct something. That’s always a good sign.”

Just like McIntyre’s team that captured a state title in 2010-11, this team is becoming fond of playing hard-nosed defense.

“The difference is we have athletes and we have length,” McIntyre said. “We have guys who can run and jump. That always makes a coach look better.”

LC, CV and Shadle have athletes too. The final eight games should include some battle royals.

In the girls, CV (12-0, 10-0), ranked No. 1 in the state, has a one-game lead over LC (9-3, 9-1). The rematch is Jan. 29 at LC.

A huge gap is grown between the leaders and the rest of the league.