Mike Vlahovich

West Valley, one of four teams chasing a top-two finish in Great Northern League boys basketball, enters the make-or-break portion of the season. The Eagles have three upcoming games, two of them on the road against the league's other contenders. And coach Jamie Nilles hopes the weather cooperates.

Prior to the season, Greater Spokane League wrestling coaches weren't sure how strong their league was going to be. But, given the fact five schools are 7-3 or better, and by the showings of individuals and teams at various tournaments, it might be stronger than they thought.

When is a loss a good loss? When it leads to an even better win. East Valley High School wrestlers were smarting from a 33-32 upset at Ferris a week ago before hosting University Tuesday in a makeup between Greater Spokane League contenders.

Mead wrestling coach Phil McLean figured his team could win eight matches against Ferris in a Greater Spokane League showdown between a pair of two-loss teams. He didn't anticipate the landslide that was the Panthers' 51-16 rout Wednesday night at Mead.

With a barrage of 3-pointers, Shadle Park staved off Gonzaga Prep challenges and solidified its hold on second place in Greater Spokane League boys basketball. Different players took turns contributing as the Highlanders (12-1), with nine 3-pointers in the game, defeated the third-place Bullpups 63-58 Tuesday night at Spokane Falls Community College.

Shadle Park's boys have won their last four basketball games by a total of eight points. Coach Tim Gaebe's response does not sound like someone who's concerned. "I enjoy it really," Gaebe said when asked if the recent string of last-second victories was cause for heart palpitations. "I love the competitiveness of it. The upside is good teams find a way to win and that's something you can hang your hat on."

Central Valley High School basketball player William Davis had done his part on the Spokane Arena court. William Davis the student body president got to do the rest when the winner of the Stinky Sneaker was announced. Davis was one of three players who scored 12 points as the Bears defeated University 51-46 for a season sweep of the two-game series between district rivals. He also was presented the coveted trophy as ASB president and enthusiastically raced to the crowd in celebration.

When the game had ended and Central Valley boys basketball coach Rick Sloan browsed through the stat sheet of the Bears' victory over rival University, he was at a loss to pick out one defining performer. It was CV's balance – three players with 12 points and a fourth with 11 – that had carried it to a 51-46 triumph in front of 5,045 raucous fans during Thursday's Stinky Sneaker spirit game in the Arena.

District rivals University and Central Valley met Thursday for the second time in less than two weeks in Greater Spokane League girls basketball and the outcome was much the same. The Titans bottled up the Bears with a tough zone defense, particularly in the first half, for a 50-42 triumph and sweep of the season series.

Count Gonzaga Prep boys basketball coach Mike Haugen as one person duly impressed with Ferris following the Bullpups' 64-43 loss to the Saxons on Friday. The difference he saw in this year's version compared to last year's unbeatens was what a year in the weight room has meant to players. Several were part of Ferris' state semifinal football team.

Following a lethargic pre-Christmas loss in a non-league wrestling match, University coach Don Owen let his charges know in no uncertain terms that more was expected of them. "I don't think it can be repeated in the newspaper," said his nephew Brian in recalling the conversation.

East Valley took another step toward a Greater Spokane League high school wrestling championship Thursday night. The Knights have two rungs left to climb. Three pins and a technical fall in four of the final matches lifted EV past Mead, 40-28, its second win over a title challenger. The Knights (5-0) had already beaten Central Valley (6-1) in a key early season contest. Next week they face Ferris (5-2) and the week thereafter, host University (4-1), the final obstacles to the league title.

In a match with plenty of give and take between Greater Spokane League wrestling contenders, East Valley took late. The Knights won four of the final five matches for near maximum points to erase a nine-point deficit and defeat Mead 40-28.