Mike Vlahovich

Considering his standout, game-long defensive effort Friday night, it was fitting that Brady Brunelle's interception with a minute to play sealed East Valley's 19-7 victory over visiting Cheney in a game between Greater Spokane League 3A classification teams. Because it wasn't until then that the Knights could rest easy, knowing the game-breaking capabilities of Brett Igbinoba and the sea of yellow flags that took the Knights out of their offensive rhythm.

Considering his standout, game-long defensive effort Friday night, it was fitting that Brady Brunelle's interception with a minute to play sealed East Valley's 19-7 win over visiting Cheney in a game between Greater Spokane League 3A teams. Because it wasn't until then that the Knights could rest easy, knowing the game-breaking capabilities of Brett Igbinoba and the sea of yellow flags that took the Knights out of their offensive rhythm were beaten.

Last weekend Dave McCarty said he had told his cross country runners at East Valley a couple years ago that this would be their season to compete in the Greater Spokane League, regardless of division. The longtime coach — and former EV state champion miler — has proved prescient.

Every Greater Spokane League football game counts toward determining this year's four 4A and two 3A playoff teams. So East Valley's second win in as many years over Central Valley last Friday was important. But winning over a 4A team won't mean as much unless EV has head-to-head success against the other 3A classification schools in league.

Shadle Park took something away from its third-place finish last weekend at the Kentlake Invitational. That something – composure – played a major part in the Highlanders' 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-27, 15-8 Greater Spokane League volleyball victory at Ferris on Tuesday. That didn't make the night any less traumatic for coach Brooke Cooper.

There's something about returning to your roots. Before falling on difficult times upon entering the Greater Spokane League as a 4A school in 1999, East Valley's cross country teams enjoyed considerable success.

This week during practice, East Valley football players were given an admonishment from Coach Adam Fisher that, in effect, said to either go hard or go home. They took it to heart with a punishing first half and ultimate 28-13 triumph over visiting Central Valley in Greater Spokane League football Friday. It was the second consecutive year the Knights have defeated the Bears.

During practice this week, East Valley football players were given an admonishment from coach Adam Fisher that stated, in effect, to either go hard or go home. They took it to heart with a punishing first half and ultimate 28-13 triumph over visiting Central Valley in Greater Spokane League play Friday. It was the second time in two years EV has beaten CV.

One game at a time. Trite, but certainly true in the case of Central Valley High School's football team. During preseason predictions, the Bears were picked to finish sixth in the Greater Spokane League. In succession, beginning last Friday, they play the five teams ranked above them.

Most of last year's Great Northern League volleyball all-league players have graduated, lending an increased air of uncertainty about a season that begins tonight. So uncertain that Colville coach Missy Bennett figures that four schools, including her Indians, could place anywhere between second and sixth.

Clarkston and Cheney set the 3A Greater Spokane League tone with victories in the first games among like classification football opponents Friday. The Bantams (2-0), on a 45-yard fourth-quarter run by junior back Kyle Beggs, fended off visiting North Central (1-1), a 3A newcomer, 15-6. The Blackhawks (2-0) extended their domination of West Valley (0-2) with a powerful running attack and 35-3 triumph.

East Valley's football team has had little time to correct the mistakes endemic to a season opener. But correct them, coach Adam Fisher said, they will. "We saw some major breakdowns on our end and will correct them for game two," he emphasized. "Obviously we want the outcome to be different. But we have a very short week and it's a league game."

Stephanie Rubright made a suggestion, coach Robin Crain was up for it and the result was a three-goal, second-half Ferris rally to beat Mead 4-3 in a wild start to the Greater Spokane League girls soccer season. Goals came in spurts, with Mead building a 3-1 lead by intermission. But, said Crain, his team worked harder in the second half and it paid off.

East Valley did the hard labor, but Coeur d'Alene's efficiency produced the bounty, taking home the first Clements Cup with a 35-14 triumph. Both teams played hard, each had an abundance of penalties and their share of miscues in what was, for the better part of three quarters, an entertaining game, up for grabs by anybody.

The month of August was taken up with club championship play for Liberty Lake Women's 18-Hole Club golfers. Sandy Mooney came out the winner, beating Jill Grover in the championship final for the 2004 title.