Mike Vlahovich

A pair of Spokane Valley high school boys basketball teams are soldiering on without two of their regulars. University's Tyler Olson and West Valley's Bryan Peterson, each the second-leading scorers on their teams at the time, both have quit their teams.

Who would have believed that the Central Valley girls basketball team would be the only other unbeaten team approaching tonight's Greater Spokane League game at league favorite Lewis and Clark? "I don't think anyone would have imagined going in our two teams both being 6-0," said first-year Bears coach Freddie Rehkow. "But you know, when I first took over I thought we could do some good things. When we started getting out there, if we played with a high level of intensity, I felt we had a good chance."

While most of Lewis and Clark's team is still working to convert muscle memory from football to basketball, Sean Hoffman had his game fine-tuned Friday night at North Central. Hoffman, a 6-foot-7 junior, scored 17 of his game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter as the Tigers rallied in the second half to beat the Indians 61-51 for their second straight victory to open the Greater Spokane League season.

A game that lived up to its advanced billing went Ferris' way at the end as two unbeaten Greater Spokane League basketball heavyweights gave it all they had. In a game of runs, the Saxons (5-0) ran off nine points in a row down the stretch Tuesday night at home to remain perfect with a 71-66 win over the Shadle Park Highlanders.

Slowly, but surely, five Ferris football players are gaining their basketball legs. Saturday's 75-54 win over Mead was an indicator. "We're rounding into basketball form," said Ferris coach Don Van Lierop. "It's taken a while to do that, but it makes sense."

TACOMA – Fancy travel bags as football accoutrements were not for Lewis and Clark. When the Tigers traveled four weekends out of five during the state playoffs, twice to the Tacoma Dome, they carried their belongings in plastic garbage sacks.

Four years ago, Brandon Walsh was terminated as the Almira/Coulee-Hartline football coach. The Warriors had endured a series of losing seasons at the Class 2B level (11-man football) and the coach was the logical target.

Anthony Brown had a game in one quarter and sophomore Robby Douglas had his varsity break-out performance to lead Shadle Park past Central Valley 60-47 in the featured game on Greater Spokane League basketball's opening night. Brown scored 10 points and pulled down six of his game-high 12 rebounds in the second quarter to turn a two-point deficit into an eight-point lead Tuesday night at CV.

The coincidence was eerie. A year ago, Lewis and Clark football coach Tom Yearout sat in the Bothell cheering section during the State 4A championship game in Tacoma rooting on the son of a relative.

Odessa had no answer for the arm – and escaping ability – of Tri-Cities Prep sophomore quarterback Will Hoppes. So the Tigers turned the game over to their offensive line, fullbacks and the feet of Jacob Schmidt to erase a two-touchdown halftime deficit and win Saturday's State 1B semifinal football game 58-44 at Albi Stadium.