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

GSL boys: Anton Watson scores 36 points, Gonzaga Prep handles Mt. Spokane in league opener

The calendar read early December, but Mt. Spokane’s gym was packed and there was a playoff atmosphere for the Greater Spokane League opener on Tuesday.

Reigning Associated Press 4A player of the year and Gonzaga signee Anton Watson scored 36 points with three blocked shots and Gonzaga Prep opened its defense of last year’s state championship with a 64-44 win over the Wildcats.

The Bullpups (1-0, 1-0) were ranked second in state 4A in the Seattle Times preseason poll.

“To come out that first game, win by 20 against a real good team, that’s great,” Watson said.

Watson’s breakway two-handed jam midway through the first made it 12-6 at the media break. He drained two 3-pointers later in the half and the Bullpups led 37-20 at intermission. Watson had 18 points and two blocked shots at the break.

Another steal-and-jam by Watson and Liam Lloyd’s 3-pointer at the third-quarter horn made it 53-32.

In the fourth, Jacob Parola and Watson hooked up for an alley-oop and Watson’s two-handed stuff on the next possession made it 64-40 with 2 minutes left.

“I felt good,” Watson said. “Wanted to get this game off with a good note. It felt good to get two dunks there at the end of the game.”

Carter Sonneborn added 10 points for G-Prep. Jerry Twenge led Mt. Spokane (3-1, 0-1) with 10.

University 72, Lewis and Clark 51: Logan Phillips scored 21 points and the visiting Titans (3-0, 1-0) topped the Tigers (1-3, 0-1). Griffin Effenberger led LC with 18 points.

Central Valley 75, Mead 28: Kyle Clay scored 15 points, Quinn Johnson added 13 and the Bears (2-0, 1-0) routed the visiting Panthers (0-1, 0-1).

Rogers 65, Shadle Park 63: Maks Babich led the Pirates (2-2, 1-0) with 27 points and Rogers edged the visiting Highlanders (1-1, 0-1). DaMarius Brown paced SP with 22 points.

Ferris 56, North Central 36: Reece Van Lierop scored 18 points with six 3-pointers and the Saxons (3-1, 1-0) handled the visiting Indians (2-1, 0-1). Leon Sayers led North Central with 17 points.