CV Girls Head To Their Favorite Rendezvous A Date At State

State qualifying was a 50-50 proposition for Central Valley High School’s basketball teams.

Identical 52-49 decisions sent CV’s girls to Seattle for their seventh state tournament appearance of the 1990s, and left the Bear boys at home.

CV’s girls beat Kamiakin on Jenny Wilson’s buzzer-beating 3-point basket, their second win after a regional opening loss.

The boys lost to GSL rival Ferris, ending the season for the league and district champions.

The girls had lost to eventual regional champion Richland in their opener, but bounced back to defeat a pair of district champions for their annual state appearance.

CV girls finished third in 1990, won the state title in 1993, were second last year and had two fourth places. Overall the team compiled a 17-6 tourney record in its previous seven trips.

Jenny Coyle was the constant during last week’s regional tourney. She averaged just under 14 points per game, including an 18-point effort during the team’s state-qualifying win over Kamiakin.

Junior Marisa Liepman scored 11 points in each of CV’s two wins. She ignited a comeback from an 11-point third-quarter deficit during CV’s 36-31 win over Mead.

But it was the 3-point shot at the buzzer by Wilson, just her fourth basket of the tourney, that propelled the 21-4 Bears to state.

The Bear boys were forced into a loser-out game against GSL co-champion Ferris because of last Tuesday’s loss to Walla Walla.

They led by three points with two minutes left in the game after trailing by 13 points in the second quarter.

The Bears went on a 15-2 run in the final five minutes of the half to get back into the game.

They finally led on a 3-point basket by Nate McFarlane and upped their lead to 49-46 on a score by Ryan Smith with 2:08 to go.

Back-to-back baskets by Ferris, including a 3-pointer at the 1:15 mark won it.

The loss ended the careers of four senior regulars, leading scorer Tom Perkes, Mark Hinckley, third-year starting point guard and second-leading scorer Smith, and McFarlane.

Five others who played in each game for the 18-6 Bears will return.

Rapid Rabbit Run time again

East Valley High School’s 14th annual Rapid Rabbit Run will be March 21, beginning at 10 a.m.

That is when the 5-mile race, one of three qualifier races for Bloomsday’s second-seed, will start.

There also is a 3-mile fun run that begins at 11 a.m.

Both races start and finish in front of EV High. Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each age category.

Every entrant is given a ticket for prize drawings at the awards ceremony following the races.

Entry fee is $10, including a Rapid Rabbit T-shirt. Entry forms are available at the high school or from EV students, in the Race Rag and at area sporting goods stores and fitness clubs.

EV boys cross country team will serve a pancake breakfast between 10:20 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., $3 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under.

Golf organization sets meeting

Valley View Ladies 9-Hole Golf Club has set their season-opening breakfast for 9 a.m. March 25 at Players and Spectators, 12828 E. Sprague.

Weather permitting, golf will follow.

For information, call 928-7166 or 924-3526.

, DataTimes