Valley Christian’s Bid For B Tourney Is Whistled To A Stop
Valley Christian, said boys basketball coach Steve Altmeyer, “has come too many times too close” without qualifying for a State B basketball tournament.
This year, the Panthers couldn’t have come much closer. They lost 64-53 in overtime to Ritzville in the game that determined a state participant.
Valley Christian had the ball and the opportunity with time winding down in a tie game. Jeremy Decker drove for what could have been the decisive points.
“The referees were calling everything and we decided to play that way and go to the hoop,” said Altmeyer.
Decker was called for a charge, his fifth foul, with seven seconds to go. Ritzville outscored VC 14-3 in the extra four minutes.
“It was frustrating. We were right there,” said Altmeyer. “The game is so fickle in so many ways. One shot, one call, one break. You go or you stay home.”
Altmeyer saw too many squandered opportunities from a team he is convinced was good enough to be playing in the Spokane Arena this week.
The Panthers made but 17 of 32 free throw attempts against Ritzville. Just one more and OT might not have been necessary.
They lost a pivotal first game of the District 7 B tournament to Republic.
“The first game is the most critical one of the tournament and we didn’t play well,” said Altmeyer. “I really felt we were a better team than they were. It put us in a hole.”
Following victory over Springdale, Valley Christian played and lost to Ritzville for the fourth time in as many games this year.
“We had every opportunity given us and didn’t seize it,” said Altmeyer.
For Valley Christian there’s always next year.
Seven players return, including leading district scorers Michael Spuler, Brian Sears and Jared Evans, plus sophomore point guard Decker.
Off-season preparation and consistency are the keys.
“On paper this team should do exceptionally well,” said Altmeyer. “The opportunity is before them next year.”
Nightmare in Tri Cities
University’s boys basketball coach Jay Humphrey couldn’t sleep following Tuesday night’s 51-43 loss to Kamiakin.
“I was laying in bed and it felt like we hadn’t been in Pasco and the game didn’t happen,” he said.
The Titans had squandered a 22-point third quarter lead and with a minute left high-scoring Jeff Price was ejected for a flagrant foul.
The four free throws contributed to the final score and Price cannot play on Friday against Eisenhower, 9 p.m. at Gonzaga University.
The game had been too easy until midway through the third quarter.
“It was like practice,” said Humphrey, “Shoot, score, rebound and score again.
Now the Titans and Central Valley’s girls, who lost a toughie to unbeaten and top-ranked Kamiakin 51-47, must win three straight games between Friday and Saturday to qualify for state.
The Bears play Richland Friday at 4 p.m. at Gonzaga U.
University turnovers and missed scoring opportunities helped Kamiakin to its amazing comeback victory.
“Was it a nightmare? Yes it was,” said Humphrey. “Now somehow we have to refocus and get ready for Friday.”
Time for Rapid Rabbit
East Valley High School’s 13th annual Rapid Rabbit Run will be conducted on March 22.
One of three area qualifying races for Bloomsday’s second seeding behind the elite runners, the 5-mile event will be run at 10 a.m.
Times will be posted for all finishers following the race.
There will also be a 3-mile fun run at 11 a.m. Both races begin and end in front of EV High.
Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each age category in each race. Every entrant will be given a ticket for prize drawings at the awards ceremony.
Cost of entry is $10, including T-shirt ($11.50 for XXL), or $5 and no T-shirt. Late entry after March 18 is $13 ($14.50 for XXL shirt).
EV’s boys cross country team will serve a pancake breakfast from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on race day. Cost is $3 for adults and $2 for children 12-under.
Entry forms for the Rapid Rabbit are available at EV High or from EV students, and at all area sporting goods stores and fitness clubs.
Bill Bauman fund-raiser
Centennial Middle School is conducting a garage sale fund-raiser this Saturday to benefit Centennial teacher and West Valley wrestling coach Bill Bauman.
Bauman has leukemia and is scheduled for a blood marrow stem cell transplant in Seattle.
Centennial has already done several fund raisers to help defray expenses for Bauman and his family.
The garage sale will be in the Centennial gymnasium, at 915 N. Ella, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
, DataTimes