Valley Coaches Look To Future In Basketball

Spokane Valley basketball coaches to a person were forced to attend this year’s state tournaments as spectators, their minds on the future instead of the present.

But it wasn’t for lack of trying. Several teams had their hard-luck stories to tell.

Central Valley’s girls and West Valley’s boys stories were the most compelling.

The Bears had the misfortune of being one of the state’s top 16 teams in a region where only three teams qualified for state. The three that did all reached the State AAA semifinals.

West Valley won the Frontier League but its playoff format doesn’t reward a title. Fourth place is as good as first, and the champs stayed home.

East Valley’s girls couldn’t quite duplicate the magic of their volleyball season but the league’s fourth-place finisher reached the district finals and forced eventual qualifier Cheney to a second game.

Under first-year coach Darsi Frazier, the Knight girls had as good a season as any since their league title two decades ago.

Central Valley’s boys finished second in the GSL and qualified for regionals in what truthfully was an overachieving season.

During the final week of the season, University’s boys did what they had to, to make the district playoffs except that Shadle Park would not cooperate.

And what of the future? Here’s a team-by-team look at what expect:

Central Valley

First priority for an essentially young boys team will be to find a new head coach.

Neither principal Paul Sturm nor activities coordinator Jay Rydell could say whether they plan to go outside or hire from within.

Assistant coach Mike Laws isn’t sure he wants the job, although assistant Rick Sloan has expressed interest.

Five seniors who played substantially graduate, but there were five sophomores and four juniors on the roster. Whoever coaches will have talent to work with, led by sophomore point guard Ryan Smith and fellow soph Nate McFarlane.

The girls bring back all but three players and are likely state candidates, although the region will be strong again.

Included among the returnees are league scoring leader Crystal Lee and Ginger Clark at forwards, Rikki Jackson at guard.

East Valley

There were encouraging signs in both Knight programs.

The winning season was a breakthrough for the girls, although Frazier must replace virtually her entire lineup.

If James Spotted Horse, sticks around, the boys could be tough.

They won six games this year and Spotted Horse, who had a mindboggling 60-point game, is a smooth operator. He and Brad Wilson were the offensive catalysts, although four other juniors and two sophomores are back.

University

The Titan boys lose six seniors instrumental in their success.

Erik Carlson is the lone returning starter, although Aaron Fryer, Nick Earling and Zaq Flanary played.

The district qualifying girls were either seniors or sophomores. Point guard Crystal Conant and post Katie Oglesbee are the most experienced of the youngsters.

West Valley

Replacing four-year player David Schillinger will be a major chore. But nine returning players keep a seventh-straight league championship within the realm of possibility.

Vinnie Pecht and Josh Sweet are next year’s key guys. Ty Gregorak, Austin Gerrells, Mike Schroder and Aaron Mortensen all played substantially.

The 10-10 Eagle girls had only one senior on the roster.

That may be the reason they lost so many games by six points and less.

With a dozen players back, Kiesha Sowers, Dawn Salfer, Gabby McClintock and Cameron Ouelette among them, they’ll have to be mentioned with the league favorites next year.

Snow, snow go away

The basketball season may not end until today, but spring sports teams are scheduled to begin competition this weekend.

So why was there an 11-inch snowfall this past week to contend with?

Like the winter of 1993, this March Madness has put a damper on preparations.

“We were really one of the few teams that were ahead last week,” said West Valley baseball coach Ray Riggin. “Our field gets ready quickly.”

So, too, does University’s field, although the players were scraping snow off it this past week.

A weekend thaw is expected to help soccer teams carry on with scheduled matches.

Bonner to Air Force Academy

West Valley’s two-sport standout Joe Bonner has been appointed to the Air Force Academy.

“He’s just excited, that’s what he wants,” said Steve Kent, his football coach for three years. “He wants to fly jets.”

Bonner, who was all-league in football and two-year inside star in basketball will likely turn out for football at the Academy.

Brothers win all-around for NWGA

Brothers Isaac and Kevin Olson were all-around winners for Northwest Gymnastics Academy at The Gem State Invitational in Boise.

Isaac won pommel horse, rings and parallel bars while scoring 31.35 in Level VI competition to beat teammate Paul Hannibal, the high bar winner. Kevin won Level V at 36.2 with individual titles in floor exercise, rings and parallel bars.

In Level III, Aaron Sheck and Dillon Reeve went one-two overall. And in Level IV, Brian Velategui won pommel horse and was second on rings and vault, Nick Antich was second on pommel horse and parallel bars, and Tyson Byers was second on floor exercise.

Other top three placers were Josh Dill in Level VI pommel horse, and Stuart Renz on Level V floor exercise and parallel bars.

, DataTimes