Mike Vlahovich

Boys and girls basketball coaches at Valley Christian believe that, for the first time, both of their teams are state tournament contenders. The boys program has had its moments and last year was a win away from state after a surprisingly strong tournament performance. The girls team has never had such lofty expectations. New boys coach Steve Altmeyer has experience that ranges from Class B Davenport to Class AAA Wenatchee. "We can be very, very competitive in the B ranks," said Altmeyer. "Playing mentally tough basketball is all it takes to get to the next level."

Boys basketball The Frontier League this year has two state basketball berths available. Good thing, too. The league in its present incarnation will be no more next year. When three teams leave, West Valley, East Valley, Cheney and Clarkston will be the remaining members. The Frontier's post-season status will be left up in the air. This year offers teams a last double chance to visit Tacoma. The league's seven teams this year are tall and experienced, which makes the task difficult. "I think the league will be tougher this year for us than last year," said Knight coach Richard King.

Freeman's wrestling team this year is young. More than half of the 30 wrestlers who turned out are freshman. But coach Ted Lundgren is undismayed.

Girls basketball The Lakeside and Riverside girls basketball teams enjoyed fine seasons last year. Lakeside finished with school best 24-2 record. The Eagles won league and district, and made their third straight appearance in the State A tournament, where they finished third. Riverside, in its inaugural Frontier League season, finished second in league and lost two district playoffs games by a total of three points.

Boys basketball Post-season proved very good for a pair of small school North Side basketball teams last year, Lakeside High in particular. A second-place finish in its Northeast A League district tournament qualified the Eagles to state, where they were a surprising semifinalist and third-place finisher.

Last year Freeman came within an eyelash of the State A boys basketball tournament, reaching the district finals before losing to the two qualifiers. Gone from that group are a quartet of seniors who keyed the Scotties' success.

If wrestling fans thought last year's Greater Spokane League season was exciting, this year may prove even better. Gonzaga Prep shared its first league title and returns much of its lineup. Mead finished one match behind and has a solid stable of veterans in coach Cash Stone's final year. North Central, a surprising 4-4 team, returns virtually everybody.

The ice storm that closed area schools for three days last week has frozen out the annual All-Valley basketball jamborees, which was scheduled next week. But season-opening wrestling duals, which will find the four Valley teams at University High School on Thursday, will go on as scheduled in the form of a jamboree.

The East Valley Knights wrestling team is expecting to make a strong showing at state this season. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

There's always next year for football teams at Central Valley and East Valley high schools, both of which lost in the first round of the state playoffs. At University and West Valley, which between them won just three games, there's also next year.

The GSL champion-winning University High Titans warm up during practice. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Expect standings to change little this year when Greater Spokane League gymnasts take to the apparatus. Last year's top four teams, including Mead, are expected to finish roughly in that order again this season.

Coach Judy Kight says all the support from the girls and their parents helped the Mead team succeed. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

GSL wrestling Last year, with ample help from three state placers, Gonzaga Prep won a piece of its first-ever league wrestling championship. Former state champion and last year's fourth-place 122-pounder, senior Cory Brannon, returns.

Coaches and athletes at Valley high schools were left skating on thin ice because of last Tuesday's storm. With schools closed, practices also were halted. The state requires a minimum number of practices athletes must complete to be eligible. Coaches have been forced to become resourceful or be resigned to their fate.

Here's a look at what the future holds for Valley high schools under the new WIAA classification guidelines: Central Valley (enrollment 1,262) and University (enrollment 1,073) will remain part of the Greater Spokane League. Coaches at U-Hi, which is small enough to compete as a 3A school, had explored the possibility of remaining in the GSL but playing in 3A state tournaments.

The time has come for East Valley High School to put its competitive feet to the fire of the Greater Spokane League and cease dragging them for fear of failure. Quite simply, East Valley has become a big school. Its enrollment next year, according to school district projections, will be more than 1,200 students. That will make it a 4A school in a 3A league.

AA/A football The good-hands people in Pullman High School's aerial circus forced unbeaten West Valley-Yakima into overtime. But the Greyhounds were undone by a foot.

For East Valley and University high schools, the state cross country meet was as simple as one, two - and three. The Knight girls finished first, winning their third straight State AA title, unprecedented among Frontier League schools.

1. Gunhild Swanson and Chris Olson train together on Euclid Avenue near the Spokane River. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Laying down some miles along the Centennial Trail: Gunhild Swanson and Chris Olson took up running around 1977-78 and tried the Spokane Marathon in 1980. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Whitworth soccer players Haley Nichols, left, and Jennifer Tissue complement each other's skills and "clicked from the very start." Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

Coach Damon Hagerott says Whitworth soccer players Haley Nichols, left, and Jennifer Tissue work together like no two persons he's ever seen. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

Brandon Miller gained 708 yards on 90 carries, averaging nearly 8 yards per rush for the Scotties this year. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

If the University Titans fail to win the State AAA cross country meet today in their seventh team appearance, it won't be unexpected. Eight-time state champion Mead is favored to make it nine in a row when the gun sounds for the 2 p.m. start of today's AAA state cross country meet in Pasco.