Bears Hoping To Avenge Losses Against Panthers

You win some, you lose some. That accounts for the three-way tie for third place in Greater Spokane League boys basketball.

But even after winning a big one earlier this week, Central Valley lost ground Thursday night. The Bears were upset in their season finale at North Central and will be seeded fifth in Tuesday’s first round of the district playoffs.

The Bears play Mead at 9 p.m. at the Arena to complete the four-game set of boys and girls games. During the regular season, CV lost twice to the Panthers.

“Obviously we wanted to finish as high in league as possible,” said coach Rick Sloan. “But as far as matchups go, some of the kids wanted to play Mead because they hadn’t beaten them.”

University High, which shared third at 9-7 along with the Bears and Mead, plays Gonzaga Prep at 5:30 p.m.

In games among Tuesday’s four playoff participants, U-Hi won five of six, sweeping both the Panthers and Bullpups and splitting with the Bears.

As a result, the Titans are seeded third for playoff purposes.

University reached the playoffs for the first time in Jay Humphrey’s four years as coach. The Titans finished with an 11-9 overall record.

Central Valley had the inside track to third place after a 56-53 victory Tuesday over league runnerup Shadle Park. The Highlanders were without three suspended players for that game.

Thursday night’s 55-54 season ending loss to NC halted a three-game Bear winning streak.

“The last few games we’ve shot better,” said Sloan. “There were streaks there when we were in the low 30s (percentage). We’ve been in the upper 40s the last few games.”

The Bears finished 10-10 in Sloan’s initial season as head coach.

“I expected us to be competitive,” he said. “Relatively speaking, we were not that experienced. Josh Nesbitt played a little, but mostly it was Ryan Smith who had playing time. I knew it would take time to jell and come together.”

In the final four games, six different players scored in double figures, including Travis Brown who broke out for an 11-point average.

“The kids are understanding that if they have a team attitude they can do things,” said Sloan. “It doesn’t matter who scores.”

Winners of Tuesday’s competition advances to regionals along with league champion Ferris and Shadle.

As this week proved, anything can happen.

Valley Girls Softball registration

Spokane Valley Girls Softball Association will conduct open registration from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at several locations.

Tuesday registration is at Skyview Elementary, 16924 E. Wellesley, Centennial Middle School, 915 N. Ella, and University Elementary, 1613 S. University.

Wednesday registration is at Progress Elementary, 710 N. Progress, and again at University.

No notices will be mailed to previously registered players.

The Valley Girls Softball office, 15124 E. Sprague, will be open on March 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. to accept completed forms.

Cost of registration is $25 and must be accompanied by a copy of the player’s birth certificate.

Men’s golf clubs combine

Members of the Liberty Lake and MeadowWood men’s golf clubs have voted to combine.

Anticipated membership, said club president Ron Schoenberger, would be in excess of 800 making it the largest non-private men’s club in the Inland Northwest.

Schoenberger, vice-president Rick Reents, secretary Tom Carli, treasurer Cecil Main, tournament director Jon Solbert and handicap chairman John Benner are the new officers.

Directors are Joe Trembly, Tom Rau and Dale Gough.

The consolidation, said Schoenberger, will allow members to have scheduled tee times and participate in tournaments at both courses.

Bob Scott is the new PGA club professional at MeadowWood, replacing Kaye Walker, who retired. Kit De Andre replaces Scott as Liberty Lake PGA pro.

Gymnast has best outing

Northwest Gymnastics Academy performer Aaron Sheck had his best all-around performance of the year.

The 1996 national qualifier won all six events and scored 50.9 to win Class II at the Bitterroot Gymnastics All-Star competition in Missoula.

NWGA won every all-around competition in the various age groups.

In Class IV, Steven Dunne won his second straight all-around meet at 48.10, winning twice and finishing second twice. Stuart Renz tied teammate Brian Velategui for first on pommel horse and vault and was second all-around with a 47.4 score.

Nick Antich remained unbeaten in floor exercise, won parallel bars and was third overall at 47.35. Velategui was fourth all-around and Matthew Croskrey fifth all-around.

In Class VI, Lane Morgan won five of six events, was second in the other and scored 50.9 for first allaround.

This weekend the team is in Portland.

SEG teams win level category

Girls teams from Spokane Elite Gymnastics won Level 6 competition at the Lilac Cup championships at Whitworth College.

SEG’s 13 and older age group swept the top four all-around spots.

Amy Snyder won at 35.90 and was first on bars. Amy Keppler won vault and floor exercise. Kadi Gardner won beam.

Courtney Spear won age 8-10 all-around and tied Maria Alderman for first on vault. She also won floor exercise at 9.6.

In the 11-year-old group, gymnasts took second through seventh all-around. Mallory Kellogg won vault. Rachel Matthews and Nicole Sargent tied for first on bars. Bailey Scholze tied for first on floor exercise.

Nicole Sornsin was first on beam and finished second all-around in the 12-year-old group.

The level 5 team placed second and level 4 team finished third.

SEG levels 8 and 10 gymnasts competed in an optional meet in Phoenix. Meloney Monaghan was third on beam with a 9.475 routine against elite gymnasts. Katie Dinsmore and Amy Brandle were highest finishers for the level 8 team.

, DataTimes