Lady Eagles Savor Win Over Riverside
West Valley’s girls basketball team has defeated one team that has caused it grief in the past.
Up next is another.
The Eagles’ 57-48 win last Friday over Riverside, reversed a four-year trend.
“I had never beaten Riverside,” said WV coach Mark Kuipers. “The girls were bound and determined to get this one.”
Last year Riverside won by 3 and 4 points. Friday night the Eagles host East Valley, a team that beat WV by 4 and 6 points last year.
Those narrow margins of defeat kept the Eagles out of the district tournament.
“It just seems this year that the maturity and leadership is better,” said Kuipers. “And looking at the film, we’re still a ways away from peaking.”
WV girls are 1-0 in the Frontier and 6-2 overall. East Valley’s girls are 1-1 in league after winning in Pullman 35-29, and 4-4 overall.
“EV is a lot like we were last year, fairly young and very talented. They are capable of beating anyone,” said Kuipers. “Both teams will come out with a lot of emotion. It will be a nerve-wracker.”
The Eagles got seven three-point baskets and built a 13-point halftime lead in the win over Riverside. Dawn Salfer scored 15 points and had eight rebounds. Cindy Simpson provided critical points late in the game.
“Dawn played the most complete game I’ve seen her play in a long time,” said Kuipers. “She did some good things on defense, particularly when it came time (to stop Bernice) Stime.”
Sophomore Rebecca Triplett, one of two six-footers in the Knight lineup, scored 13 points in Pullman.
The East Valley-West Valley boys and girls doubleheader is the first of two meetings between the teams.
The Eagle boys beat Riverside 57-48, breaking away in the fourth quarter. Josh Sweet continued on a scoring tear with 23 points. Aaron Mortensen added 11.
East Valley is still looking for its first win of the year, other than an exhibition victory over a visiting team from Australia, after losing 77-67 in Pullman.
Highlanders hex holds
Shadle Park’s boys basketball team had a hex on University last year, winning three straight times, including twice by two points.
Third victory came on a last-shot basket to determine the sixth and final entry into the district tournament.
Tuesday night the hex held when the Highlanders broke a second-place tie in the Greater Spokane League with a 58-50 victory.
Going into the game, Shadle had compiled a 5-1 league record with its fourth-quarter comeback Friday against Central Valley.
Shadle outscored CV 17-7 in the fourth quarter for a 44-35 triumph. Shadle held all Bear scorers but Ryan Smith and Marc Hinckley to three or fewer points.
On Tuesday, the quick and physicalHighlanders outscored U-Hi 17-7 in the third quarter for the win.
University was 4-1 following a 62-57 win at Gonzaga Prep. The Titans have had a different hero each win. In the Bullpup game it was point guard Aaron Fryer, who scored a career high 23 points.
Against Shadle, Andy Dunham came of the bench and hit three 3-point baskets, but he couldn’t offset Shadle’s dominant third quarter.
The Highlanders continue an important three-game home series tomorrow night against unbeaten GSL leader Ferris.
Big games on tap for teams
Freeman and Valley Christian boys basketball teams are facing important games during their respective Northeast A and Big County League weekend.
The Scotties, who shared first place until last weekend’s 58-48 loss to unbeaten Medical Lake, lends added impact to Saturday’s game at Lakeside.
Lakeside was also part of the first-place tie until being upset on Friday by Colfax.
Friday night Valley Christian hosts 12-1 Ritzville, leader of the Bi-County’s West Division with one loss.
The Panthers won for the sixth and seventh straight times last weekend to improve their record to 11-2 overall. Both losses are in league for the East Division runnerup.
Elks Hoop Shoot winners
Six Valley youngsters proved proficient at free throw shooting during the annual Elks Hoop Shoot.
The three boys and three girls advance to the Northeast District Finals in Wenatchee, Feb. 1.
Winners ages 12-13 were Ryan Mountjoy of St. Mary’s School and Jill Oglesbee of Horizon Junior High.
In ages 10-11, the winners were Ryan Smallfoot and Katie Jo Murray, both from Chester Elementary.
Nick Atwood of Otis Orchards Elementary and Kara Crist of Chester won ages 8-9.
Competition for 69 participants was at St. Mary’s and sponsored by Spokane Valley Elks Lodge No. 2328.
The Elks Hoop Shoot was begun in Corvallis, Ore., in 1946 and is in its 25th year as a national program.
Valley YMCA sports registration
Boys and girls registration continues for Spokane Valley YMCA kindergarten through third grade basketball, and indoor soccer, grades four through six.
Teams will begin forming next week and the seasons begin on February 15.
The games are played in Valley schools on Saturdays. Teams practice once or twice per week.
Cost is $53 per person or $27 for a YMCA member.
Information can be obtained by calling 927-1474.
, DataTimes