On To Regionals Cv’s Boys, Girls Hoop Squads Move Into State-Qualifying Tourney

Central Valley’s boys and girls basketball teams have been fixtures at the seven previous Greater Spokane League-Big Nine state qualifying tournaments, with each participating six times.

On Tuesday, CV’s boys upset Gonzaga Prep in yet another overtime game, and the girls outlasted rival University to advance once again.

Both teams lost second-round district games and will travel next Tuesday for the first round of the Lamb Weston East Tournament, which sends three boys teams and three girls teams to state.

The boys will play either Kamiakin or Richland, and the girls are at either Kamiakin or Wenatchee.

“We’ve been to the tournament more times than anybody,” said boys coach Terry Irwin. “If we could just get out of there once.”

In six tries, the Bear boys have qualified for state twice. The girls, on the other hand, haven’t missed a state trip in that time.

Both teams, however, could have easily missed out entirely on the regional qualifier this year.

CV’s boys finished fifth in league, had lost two starters because of injuries and had lost to Gonzaga Prep 56-50 five nights before.

The girls, playing with six sophomores this year, got off to a 2-7 start before finishing 9-3, including Tuesday’s district victory. The game with University figured to be no more than a tossup.

“It’s nice, considering we had very little experience back and no one thought we’d get there,” Coach Dale Poffenroth said of his team’s advance.

Turnaround fair play for CV boys

Winners of just one of four previous overtime games this year, CV’s boys reversed the outcome at district.

“I’m dumbfounded,” said Irwin. “We learned from our previous overtime games.”

Amazing three-point shooting by Jeremy Nesbitt helped CV make the successful turnaround.

“So much of what we do is based upon him,” said Irwin. “When he has a tough time, we struggle.”

Conversely, when Nesbitt makes it look easy, the Bears play well.

He was 6 for 8 from behind 20 feet and 8 for 13 overall. All told, Nesbitt finished with 23 points.

He hit a 28-footer at the first-half buzzer that helped cut Prep’s once nine-point lead to two. With one second left in the game, he swished another that sent the game into overtime.

But he had help. Corby Schuh got hot in the second half, scoring 12 of his 19 points. Included were five points in overtime, with a threepoint play with 36 seconds left putting the Bears ahead for good.

Ben Williams and Jeff Jensen did the dirty work around the basket. Williams hauled down 10 rebounds, including one that led to two free throws and a 70-66 lead with 20 seconds left in overtime.

Jensen played one of his best games of the year.

And Ben Platt, who sprained his ankle and wasn’t expected to play, gave CV tough inside defense.

The Bears, whose free-throw shooting was shaky during six second-half losses, were 11 for 12 from the line, including five-for-five in overtime.

“It’s the nature of the business,” said Irwin, at a loss to explain why.

But he wasn’t entirely surprised that CV is playing for state next week.

“Look at the games we’ve played,” said Irwin, squeezing a thumb and forefinger together. “We were that close from winning the league.”

Possession arrow points CV’s way

The possession arrow pointed Central Valley’s way into the GSLBig Nine tournament next Tuesday.

When University’s Tracy Ford was tied up on a shot attempt with her team trailing by a point and seven seconds remaining, it was CV’s turn to have the ball.

“I knew the game would be a tossup and it would come down to a critical decision,” said Poffenroth. “Fortunatly for us the arrow pointed our way or we may not be there.

“Is it luck or fate? Who knows? You hope it’s skill.”

Only one point separated the Bears and Titans in three games this season. Throw in last year’s twopoint state qualifying win by CV, and you get an indication of how even the two teams have been.

Five three-point baskets by Katie Carpenter and a career high scoring performance by Marcy MacPhee helped the Bears to lead 30-21 at halftime.

Ford brought the Titans back to a 36-36 tie with three baskets, two of them treys. Emily Stuenkel put them ahead 45-44 with 45 seconds left.

But Carrie Sanders hit two free throws with 22 seconds remaining, and fate smiled on CV.

Poffenroth said he thought at the start of the season that Central Valley could be part of a three-team battle to finish between fourth and sixth.

The slow start he said, was a matter of finding the right combination among his players.

“Once we found it, the kids turned it around,” he said.