Mike Vlahovich

Angie Bjorklund discovered her shooting touch in the third quarter Tuesday and approached another milestone as the University Titans regained second place in Greater Spokane League girls basketball action. The Titans (12-2) beat visiting Mead (11-3) 64-54 as Bjorklund scored 31 points and moved within a basket of the GSL single-season points record of 363 set by Central Valley's Emily Westerberg.

The glamour of the orient (or was it giant sumo wrestlers Central Valley High School administrators Mike Hittle and Butch Walter?) won over the judges during annual Stinky Sneaker spirit competition. Central Valley won its second straight trophy during the contest at the Spokane Arena. The cheers were loud throughout the night and the two schools entertained between boys and girls basketball games.

For the better part of the basketball showdown between the Greater Spokane League's top teams, Lewis and Clark and host University, the visiting Tigers excelled in every facet of the game. But it was their near-perfect, first-half defense that ultimately spelled the difference in Tuesday's 50-49 triumph.

Basketball fans in Washington got an early taste of the coming international basketball revolution more than two decades ago when German exchange student Detlef Schrempf helped Centralia to the 1981 State AA high school championship. Things changed for standout players such as Schrempf, who went on to a University of Washington Hall of Fame and successful NBA career. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association prohibited them from playing varsity sports, fearing a flaunting of the intent of the exchange program and high school athletes.

Gonzaga Prep defeated Central Valley 54-47 Tuesday in a Greater Spokane League boys basketball game that was so close the smallest of details made the biggest of differences. The Bullpups (4-2) either trailed or were tied during much of the game. But they benefited beginning late in the third quarter from timely offensive rebounding by Max Manix. The presence of foul-saddled point guard Michael Stockton in the game's final 4 minutes proved vital as the team rallied from a 43-40 deficit.

Mead boys basketball players must enjoy keeping followers on the edge of their seats. It took a massive second-half rally Friday to produce their 61-57 Greater Spokane League victory over visiting University.

When University and Mead, tied for second in Greater Spokane League girls basketball, faced off, they gave fans their money's worth. It took every bit of the wherewithal of Tennessee-bound Angie Bjorklund for the visiting Titans to escape with a 64-57 victory.

Teams defending against Ferris in Greater Spokane League boys basketball must pick their poison. The Saxons have myriad ways to win, as host Shadle Park discovered during Tuesday's 57-49 setback. The victory leaves Ferris (5-0) alone atop the GSL. The loss was the first for the Highlanders (3-1).

Mt. Spokane junior Ryan Selland made good on a do-over that capped the best scoring game of his varsity career with victory. The Wildcats defense did the rest in the 40-36 win over Rogers in a game with crazy twists and turns. Selland, who had missed at the line 11 seconds earlier, hit two free throws with 17 seconds left to secure the come-from-behind victory over the visiting Pirates.