Loss To Saxons Gives Lady Bears A Tough Assignment
Staying home for the entire Lamb Weston Regional basketball tournament seemed a foregone conclusion for Greater Spokane League girls co-champions Central Valley and Mead.
They had, after all, not lost to any other Greater Spokane League team this year and seemed destined for a showdown to determine a District 8 AAA champion.
Instead, on Friday they played each other to avoid the dubious honor of playing at unbeaten and top-ranked Kamiakin next Tuesday when the regional begins.
Thursday night the Bears twice blew eight-point first half leads and also a 10-point third quarter lead during a 48-43 loss to Ferris.
The deeper Saxons wore down the Bears on the longer Spokane Arena basketball floor by shuttling nine players in and out of the game. CV primarily stuck with its starting five.
They played sound defense, stymieing the Bears’ half-court outside game and causing them to miss numerous easy inside baskets.
Crystal Lee scored 9 of her 15 points in the game’s last 10 minutes and only had one field goal up to that point.
Ferris lit up Central Valley’s zone defense with nine three-point baskets. Four came in the final four minutes of the last quarter when the team came back from a 36-31 deficit.
As a result, the Bears must play either Kamiakin or Wenatchee on the road in the first round of regionals.
The regional tournament continues at Gonzaga University and Eastern Washington University next Friday.
A 129-pound omission
In Thursday’s story about East Valley’s state championship wrestling team, one placer was inadvertently omitted.
Senior Joe Adamson, who the last two years had injured his hand and lost mat time, this year finished first in district, third in regionals and sixth at state at 129 pounds.
After an opening match loss, he came back to win three in a row to assure a place for the Knights.
New league for Valley Baseball
The Spokane Valley Baseball League is adding a new category for youth players this summer.
For the first time SVBL will offer a Mini-Tee League for 5 and 6 year olds.
“Last year we got a lot of calls,” said league director Mike Asan. “They said, ‘we’ve got a 5-year-old, where’s he going to play?’ “
He added the new Tee-ball conference, and changed Mini-Pee Wees to a 7- and 8-year-old configuration. Both cost $30 per player.
Fees for other leagues remain the same. Pee Wees for 9-10s is $40, Midgets for 11 and 12 year olds is $45, and Giants for 13 and 14 year olds is $55.
Registration is underway through April 1. Late registration fee after April 1 is an additional $5.
Returning players will be receiving forms in the mail. New players can obtain forms at Spokane Olympic Sports or at the Spokane Valley Baseball office in the rear entrance of the Olympic Sports building at 12505 E. Sprague.
The SVBL office will be open Tuesday and Wednesday from 7-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon beginning today.
Deceased fastpitch star part of era
The 1950s and 1960s were golden years for fastpitch softball in Spokane and Bill Long was part of it.
Long, a Valley resident who died at age 67 from cancer Feb. 19, was an outfielder for Lucky Lager, one of the premier A League teams in town.
Long played for 18 years, beginning in 1954. He was Spokane’s first allregional selection in 1964, a Fairchild AFB Invitational all-star and several times an all-state pick.
In 1968 he led the Spokane Metro League in hitting with a .425 average and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1993.
Former teammates were in attendance at his funeral service Monday to reminisce.
“He had a helluvan arm,” recalled Hank Harder, a teammate who played shortstop for Lucky. “He was a good defensive ball player and clutch hitter.”
Hank Coplen, chairman of the Hall of Fame, concurred.
“He was not very big, but strong. HIs shoulders and arms were really developed,” said Coplen, who pitched against Long. “He could really fire the ball.”
Fastpitch softball in Spokane was extremely popular before the advent of modified and slowpitch. There were A, B, C and D leagues.
“It was the game in town,” said Harder, who like many of the era played for nearly 20 years.
Long and his mates played at the top level, traveling statewide for tournament competition.
A heavy equipment operator, Long was called “The Man” for his uncompromising perfectionism, said Harder.
“He was the best looking man I saw in my life,” said Harder. “When he would pump up with iron, he looked like Schwarzenegger.”
Strong performance by gymnasts
Northwest Gymnastics Academy Class IV boys ages 12 and older turned in a surprisingly strong performance at the Multnohmah Athletic Club Open in Portland, Oregon.
All around competitors finished first, second, third and fifth against the area’s strongest regional athletes.
Steven Dunne scored 45.5 and won rings, parallel bars and high bar. Nick Antich scored 43.9 and won floor exercise, vault and was second on pommel horse.
Matthew Croskrey was third at 43.4, finishing second on floor, third on pommel horse and parallel bars. Brian Velategui won pommel horse and scored 42.2 all-around.
“This is a great confidence builder for our gymnasts to do so well against some of the toughest competition in the Northwest,” said coach Mike Armstrong.
In other categories Aaron Sheck was second during Class II pommel horse and high bar and third in floor exercise during Sunday finals.
Stewart Renz was second on pommel horse, third on vault and fourth all-around during Class IV ages 10-11.
Paul Hannibal was second all-around with a 53.0 score in Class VI ages 10-11
YMCA programs begin
Spokane Valley YMCA karate and gymnastics programs begin March 3 and continue through April 16.
The karate offerings are Monday and Wednesday at Adams Elementary and Tuesday and Thursday at University Elementary from 5 to 5:45 p.m.
Gymnastics will be conducted at Progress Elementary on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:10 to 6 p.m.
Cost is $45. For registration information call 927-1474.
, DataTimes