Strong Finish Leaves Central Valley With Base To Build On

Given the injuries his team sustained this year, Terry Irwin was surprised that Central Valley advanced to last weekend’s regional basketball tournament.

As a result, he wasn’t disappointed that his Bears lost twice on the road.

“You can’t be guaranteed about anything,” Irwin said. “We were in every game and competed hard. What more can you ask?”

The CV boys lost twice in regional, to eventual champion Kamiakin 64-45 and Lewis and Clark 65-55.

Had it not been for injuries that sidelined Jeff Allen and Geoff Courchaine earlier, Irwin said he would have liked his chances in the tournament.

“If we were healthy I think we would have had a real shot at it and it would have started right at district,” he said.

The Bears return seven players next year, including Allen, Corby Schuh, Ben Platt and Carson May.

“Corby is certainly someone to build around. I think he will be spectacular next year,” said Irwin. “We need to develop more inside strength and there is no heir apparent at point guard. We’ve been spoiled there the last couple of years.”

Central Valley’s girls missed out on a sixth straight state appearance, losing two of three games.

But the Bears return their entire team next year. Included are three-point shooter Katie Carpenter and inside players Carrie Sanders and Crystal Lee who averaged 12 points each in the tourney.

CV lost to champion Kamiakin 43-25, avenged an earlier loss to Walla Walla 56-50 and was beaten by state qualifier Shadle Park 63-55.

With the addition of a couple of incoming sophomores, the girls will be a factor again next year.

WV boys, girls will be young

Although reasonably experienced, West Valley’s boys basketball team next year will be young.

Only two players who will be seniors, David Schillinger and Joe Bonner, have played substantially.

The rest will come from a sophomore class that includes Ty Gregorak and Vinnie Pecht, who got varsity game experience, Josh Sweet, Aaron Mortensen and Mike Schroder.

“Again we’re not big, but will have internal competition,” said WV coach Joe Feist. “We will play more relaxed because there won’t be the pre-season expectations.”

The Eagle girls graduate six seniors and bring back four who will be juniors, starters Dawn Salfer and Keisha Sowers, reserves Stacey Roberts and Cindy Simpson.

“We’re lacking seniors but our sophomores physically are a good group and they are totally my girls,” said coach Mark Kuipers, who will be in his third year at the helm.

Titans hope third year a charm

After sitting out the regional playoffs this year, the University Titans can also hope that the third year is a charm.

Coaches Jay Humphrey and Bob Finn will be in their third years with the boys and girls basketball programs.

The boys, after going 6-14, have the makings for major improvement next season.

Eight players will return, including starters Craig Allen, Kelly Hineman, Erik Carlson and Joe Jeffries, and substitutes Derek Wetzel and Ryan Massey.

U-Hi will be among the league’s taller teams.

Half a dozen girls return from the district qualifiers which narrowly lost to CV for a second straight regional appearance.

Five of the six, Sydney Perno, Stephani Shelton, Sally Jamison, Adrienne Wilson and Emily Stuenkel all started at one time or another.

EV looks to escape cellar

Both East Valley boys and girls basketball teams finished last during the Frontier League season.

If they escape the league cellar next year the girls will do so with experience, the boys with youth.

Eight players return for the Knight girls, including third-year starters Farrah Parsley, Star Olson and Lindsay Porter.

Only three players, Kyle LeGrant, Russ Freuend and Joey Sanchez will be back for the boys team, which will rely heavily on juniors an sophomores next year.