Mike Vlahovich

Who do you guard? Central Valley chose Option A on Tuesday, but Shadle Park countered and beat the visiting Bears 67-48 with Option B. Freshman Anthony Brown, who's had his moments as a varsity neophyte for the Highlanders, burned the Bears with 11 first-quarter points, hitting 5 of 6 shots.

In a boys basketball game that had 22 lead changes or ties, it seems fitting, if not inevitable, that Friday's Ferris-North Central outcome would produce a multiple tie for first place in the Greater Spokane League. Visiting Ferris handed the Indians their first league loss, 55-51 in a game that turned on long-range marksmanship, including back-to-back 3-point baskets by reserve Erick Cheadle. It left those two teams, plus Central Valley and Gonzaga Prep, tied with a loss apiece.

Elliott Nay set the tone and University retained the Bone, but Central Valley gave partisans in the din of a capacity crowd at U-Hi plenty to yell about anyway. U-Hi's 40-24 victory margin in the annual Battle of the Bone wrestling matchup was not indicative of the contest, which was tied at 24 with three individual contests remaining. The Titans won eight matches to CV's six.

When football season ended last fall, Gonzaga Prep players Houston and Michael Stockton were given the Bullpups decals from their helmets. They stuck them on the back window of their Grandpa Jack's truck. Jack Stockton roots openly for G-Prep, mindful he has other grandsons who are Ferris Saxons. A few days later, a Ferris decal showed up in the middle of them.

Sound defense coupled with a pair of inspired second-half individual efforts spurred Gonzaga Prep past a Greater Spokane League boys basketball unbeaten for the second time in four days. After beating Ferris on the road last Friday, the Bullpups (9-3, 4-1) edged Shadle Park 55-52 Tuesday at home to knock the Highlanders (8-4, 4-1) from a share of first place with North Central.

What began and ended as a barnburner turned in between on the talents of University's X-factor. Angie Bjorklund's scoring, rebounding and, perhaps, more impressively her magical passing, spurred the Titans past rival Central Valley 69-58 Friday in the opener of the Stinky Sneaker spirit game.

North Central proved that it has what it takes Friday in a tense contest, the outcome of which hinged on contributions by role players. The Indians (9-1 overall, 2-0 Greater Spokane League) continued to assert themselves by defeating West Valley 50-47 in overtime, nearly a duplication of their basketball win over the Eagles (7-2, 1-1) earlier this year.

Like entertainers Brooks & Dunn or clothiers Abercrombie & Fitch, North Central basketball has its own inseparable duo, Beal & Neil. Point guard Eric Beal and post Damal Neil have been intrinsically linked since grade school. And if the Indians are to end a state appearance drought that has surpassed half a century the duo will be a major reason why.

A little improvisation by Jenna Galloway came at an opportune time for victorious Ferris as Greater Spokane League basketball began for real on Tuesday. Galloway found an open lane following an inbounds pass, scored a clutch basket with 15 seconds left and the Saxons (4-4, 1-0) went on to beat East Valley 44-41 in the taut girls game.

From Jack Brandmuller to Jon Jeffreys, the former West Valley High School basketball players came. They spanned 50 years and every decade of the careers of five coaches whose names are a who's who of Eagle success. They came to play or watch in the first West Valley alumni basketball game.

Five Greater Spokane opponents who have played Lewis and Clark's girls basketball juggernaut in preseason games this year need not feel alone. The Tigers (6-0), who have beaten the GSL quintet by an average of 37 points per game, ran roughshod over a visiting state perennial in like fashion.