Work Ethic Pays Off For CV Girls

Rare is the year in the past decade that the Central Valley girls basketball team has not been a title contender.

This season was no exception. With two victories this week, the Bears finished the season with a share of their seventh Greater Spokane League championship, their fifth during coach Dale Poffenroth’s nine-year tenure. During that time, his teams have also finished second twice.

His formula?

“You just have to outwork everybody,” said Poffenroth. “Workaholic is a good title. It’s because the CV family is willing to spend time to make it happen.”

This year’s title tie with Ferris, while not surprising to him, may have caught the rest of the league off guard.

The 18-2 Bears built around three-year starter Rikki Jackson and two-year starter Jenny Coyle, who averaged 15.1 and 12.6 points per game, respectively.

They also relied heavily on five juniors and regularly played nine.

“The kids were willing to accept the roles given them,” said Poffenroth. “They did the things they were capable of and no more than that. They are interchangeable parts who seem to fit.”

Senior Lindsey Shoquist has come off the bench to spell posts Coyle and junior Marisa Liepman.

Liepman averaged more than 9.0 points per game and has been an exceptional offensive rebounder.

Junior transfer Jenny Wilson has provided an additional dimension while spelling guards Courtney Phinney, a defensive ace, and recently hot-shooting Michelle Grafos.

Tori Bragdon and Shea Donaldson have been the other pieces of CV’s success story.

By sharing the title, the Bears are assured a regional berth. Up next is district, Thursday in the Arena. The team hopes to avoid a repeat of last year, when it lost twice and was forced to play the Big Nine’s No. 1 team right away. Still, CV rebounded and finished second in state.

“It’s not quite as hard because there are four bids instead of three to state, which makes a big difference,” said Poffenroth. “But I think the girls understand it is more fun to go the other way.”

Title tie for CV boys Despite a Tuesday loss to Rogers, Central Valley’s boys basketball team, like the girls, earned a share of first place in the GSL.

It was coach Rick Sloan’s first championship in just his second year at the helm.

“When you inherit good kids, good things happen,” said Sloan, downplaying his importance. “I really do think it was already a good program with good assistants.”

The Bears were a preseason pick to win the league. Sloan said he was concerned that it might be difficult to achieve because of the late start due to an extended football season.

“I really thought if we had a normal preseason we had a good shot,” he said. “Football went so deep I wasn’t sure.”

Because of a second-round victory over Ferris, CV, 16-4 for the year, has the top seed to districts next Thursday and an automatic berth to regionals.

“When you look at our losses, we could so easily be 19-1,” said Sloan.

Three of the defeats were by a total of six points, two of them in overtime. The other loss came in the season opener against Ferris, “when we were shooting bricks,” said Sloan.

CV’s success was a team effort with nine athletes playing in every game.

“I’m pretty pleased where we’re at,” said Sloan. “We still have work ahead of us.”

Valley Christian has district date

Valley Christian School’s boys basketball season continues to reap rewards.

The Panthers, who improved their season record to 19-2, won their first-ever Bi-County League tournament with wins over Almira/Coulee-Hartline and Wilbur-Creston.

Next up is the District 7-B tournament with a trip to the State B Tournament at stake.

First opponent is Panorama League No. 4 seed Selkirk Tuesday, 7:45 p.m., at Spokane Community College.

During last week’s games, won by a total of 30 points, five different players scored in double figures, led by Brian Sears, Michael Spuler and Eric Smith.

Sears, who averaged 12.1 points per game during the season, scored 33 in two playoff games. Spuler, with a 15.3 points average, had 28.

Titan girls tie for sixth

University’s girls basketball team can reach the district tournament with a playoff win tonight at North Central.

The Titans, 8-12 overall, tied Gonzaga Prep for sixth place. The winner tonight advances against Mead in Tuesday’s first-round, loser-out tournament game.

It took two successive wins this week, over North Central and Mt. Spokane, to share the final playoff spot. Katie Oglesbee had a season-high 17 points in Thursday night’s season-ending victory.

Titan boys end successfully

University’s improved boys basketball team ended the season with two successive victories to complete their season with a 3-17 record.

Hot 3-point shooting by Chris Short and Brad VanDyne lifted the team to victory over North Central on Tuesday.

Short had five 3-point baskets and 21 points. VanDyne four and 16.

On Thursday the team edged Mt. Spokane in overtime with Short, VanDyne and Brandon Florence all scoring in double figures.

Think summer baseball

Spokane Valley Baseball Association will begin mailing roster formers for prospective youth players, ages 5 through 14 the first week in March.

Office hours beginning March 3 will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon.

SVBA office phone is 922-0420.

, DataTimes