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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

GSL girls: Lewis and Clark ends Central Valley winning streak at 34 games

Lewis and Clark’s Jacinta Buckley, left, and visiting Central Valley’s Tomekia Whitman get ready to tip off on Dec. 14, 2018. The Tigers won 61-52, ending the Bears 34-game winning streak. (Dave Nichols / The Spokesman-Review)

In an early-season showdown between two of the best girls basketball teams in the state, Jacinta Buckley scored 17 points with 11 rebounds and Lewis and Clark beat visiting Central Valley 61-52 on Friday, ending the Bears’ 34-game winning streak dating back to a state second-round game on March 2, 2017.

LC (6-0, 3-0) entered play No. 2 in the Seattle Times girls basketball rankings while CV (3-1, 2-1) was No. 4.

“That’s a great matchup,” LC coach Gabe Medrano said. “That’s a fun Friday night. I was real proud of the girls.”

Dominique Arquette scored 19 points and hit 11 of 13 at the line while Andie Zylak added 14 points. The Tigers made 20 of 32 free throw attempts.

“Medrano said I need to get to the line at least 10 times a game,” Arquette said. “That’s my goal for this season.”

With the graduation of the Hull twins and Hailey Christopher from Central Valley, the Tigers put an early stake in the race for GSL champs.

Medrano downplayed ending CV’s long winning streak.

“Someone had to remind me earlier today about (the streak). We were just thinking about beating CV because they are always good,” he said.

“It feels good,” Arquette admitted. “Really good.”

CV sophomore M.J. Bruno came off the bench with a runner in the lane in the first to put the Bears up by five, but Buckley worked inside for a basket and a free throw from Sativa Rogers pulled LC within one at 12-11 after the first.

Early in the second, Arquette was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made all her free throws. LC went up four on Kaylee Bishop’s 3-pointer, but CV’s Camryn Skaife drilled a pair of long 3s late to even it at intermission at 28.

LC went on a 7-0 to start the second half, fueled by Arquette’s steal and three-point play. Buckley heated up and made four baskets in a row, including a step-back 3-pointer, and the Tigers led 47-38 after 3.

The teams went cold at the start of the fourth under wilting defense from both teams. Arquette hit a pair at the line to put the Tigers up by 8 with just over 3 minutes to go and LC made 10 of 12 at the line in the final quarter.

“We talked at halftime that we were just kind of running around the outside of their zone (defense), and that’s what (CV) wants,” Medrano said. “We had to find ways to attack. Attack and finish. Attack and get to the line. Whatever it might be. (Arquette) stepped up and was just sacrificing her body.”

Bruno led CV with 11 points and 10 rebounds and Tomekia Whitman added 10 points and 10 boards.

Girls

Gonzaga Prep 52, Mead 34: Grace Hammon scored 15 points and the Bullpups (5-1, 2-1) defeated the visiting Panthers (3-4, 0-3). Lakin Gardner had 11 points and Ryan Decker added 10 for G-Prep. Erica Nessen paced Mead with 11 points.

University 71, Ferris 36: Jackson McCliment-Call scored 18 points, twin sister Tyler added 16 and the Titans (3-3, 1-2) routed the visiting Saxons (3-4, 0-3). Ellie Boni had 13 points and Kinsley Barrington added 12. Payton Royston and Elliot Hencz scored eight points apiece for Ferris.

Lake City 54, North Central 40: Aubrey Avery scored 13 points and the visiting Timberwolves (6-2) beat and the Indians (5-1) in a nonleague game. Kyara Sayers scored 17 points and Dakotah Chastain added 13 for NC.