Stars’ U18 Team Rolls At Nationals

Megan Franza hit four 3-pointers and scored 25 points Tuesday as the AAU U18 Spokane Stars rallied past Southern Indiana 95-75 to assure at least a seventh-place finish at the national girls basketball tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The Stars, who trailed at halftime 38-37, hit 23 of 29 free throws, including Crystal Lee’s 12-for-12 effort.

Angelina Wolvert added 16 rebounds for the Stars, who play defending champion Team Texas in a winner’s bracket semifinal today. A win would send Spokane into the championship round of the true double-elimination tourney.

Alison Asher of Lake City High in Coeur d’Alene had 21 points and 23 points in two games as the U17 Stars stayed alive and guaranteed themselves of a spot in the top 16.

Spokane opened with a 68-62 loss to the Tampa Bay Shooters. Then, Becki Huddle scored 13 as Spokane broke from a 31-all halftime tie to beat Southern Louisiana 67-59.

The Stars play Maine today.

Carey Sauer made 3 of 4 3-pointers and Anna Getz had six assists and three steals to lead the U16 Stars to a 70-57 victory over New Mexico.

The Stars finished 7 of 16 from long range. They play this afternoon against either Missouri or Ozark, having clinched a top-12 finish in the consolation bracket.

Legion baseball

Kenny Beeler homered and drove in two runs to lead the Bandits over the Cannons 12-4 in an AAA game at Central Valley High.

The Bandits (9-3) entered the night tied for first place with the Blue Devils. The Cannons dropped to 7-4.

The Bandits scored 11 runs in the fourth inning, on six hits, four hits batters and two walks.

Aaron Fryer, Brett Haiar and Chris Schuchart also had two RBIs apiece for the Bandits.

Volleyball

Spokane Splash New Balance went 3-0 against California teams in the U16 division of the Kaepa Volleyball Festival in Davis, Calif.

The team, 6-0 after two days of competition, beat High Voltage 15-0, 15-4; Club Bear 15-6, 15-13; and Santa Monica White 15-13, 15-4.

Spokane Splash New Balance, seeded third among 320 teams in its division, advanced to the tourney’s double-elimination portion.

Spokane Splash 16s, in the same division, lost three matches and is 2-4 at the tourney. Its pool play continues today.

Golf

Esmeralda’s Charlie Nap beat Wandermere’s Matt Kodama in a playoff to win the boys 15-17 division at the Washington Junior Golf Association sub-district tourney at Bryden Canyon in Lewiston.

Nap and Kodama both shot 3-under-par 68s, two strokes better than Michael Hastings, Corey Prugh and Robert Selland.

Hangman’s Bridget Johnson shot a 6-over 78 to win the girls 15-17 by three strokes. Other winners were David Fern, boys 12-14, 72; Lani Elston, girls 12-14, 78; Matt Schiller, boys 8-11, 37; and Ashley Wieber, girls 8-11, 59.

Horse racing

Racing from Arlington Park is the latest addition to the simulcast wagering lineup at Playfair.

The Spokane track will launch its on-site racing program Aug. 16. Until then, Playfair will continue to offer satellite wagering.

Today’s card includes Belmont Park at 10 a.m., Arlington at 11:05, the California fair meet at Pleasanton at 12:45 p.m. and Hollywood Park at 1, followed by Lone Star, Emerald Downs and Hastings Park.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Hare leaves Ferris Ray Hare, activities coordinator at Ferris High School the last nine years, has resigned to become an assistant high school principal at Cheney. “I’m real excited,” Hare said. “It’s a great opportunity to broaden my horizons. My long-term goal is to be a principal … I have to convince (people) I’m not just an athletic administrator.” A former football coach and math teacher at Ferris, Hare has been the football coordinator for the Greater Spokane League. “It’s going to be a pleasant change,” he said. “I’ve given the athletic domain the best of my ability. I feel I’ve done a good job for Ferris and the GSL.”