Vc Team Returning To State Despite Drop In Polls Lopsided Win Over Curlew Assures Berth

Being ranked No. 1 isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

The Valley Christian boys basketball team was on top in the state Associated Press polls earlier this season and then lost twice.

Curlew was there more recently and was throttled by the Panthers on Wednesday. The 61-40 win qualified Valley Christian for its second straight trip to the State B Tournament, which begins Wednesday in the Spokane Arena.

“You can tell that you guys in the polls don’t know anything about basketball,” Valley Christian coach Steve Altmeyer said in jest.

He wasn’t complaining. The rankings are fine, said Altmeyer, “as long as we’re not up there.”

Earning a return trip to state is more satisfying, he said.

The pressure applied to Curlew’s high-scoring Jeremy Groth by Panther defender Jeremy Decker assured Valley Christian of a visit to the Arena.

Groth, averaging well over 20 points per game, was held to six by Decker’s tenacity.

“Everyone’s given Groth daylight,” said Altmeyer. “He’s not good enough, when you give him pressure, that he can create a shot.”

Valley Christian plays tonight for the District 7 B Tournament title at Spokane Falls Community College.

Altmeyer was encouraged when Valley Christian played better in the Bi-County championship against tonight’s foe, Odessa, than it had in the same game last year. But he said he’s never felt that his teams were a lock for the state tournament.

In the first district playoff game, against Inchelium, the Panthers played poorly, and he was beside himself. Against Curlew, they were ready.

The biggest factor in the team’s return to the State B tournament, where it finished second last year, was how much four returning players improved.

“Would they go up to another level because they had to?” Altmeyer wondered prior to the season.

Decker’s defense and improved scoring by his brother, Brent Decker, at 15.8 points per game, Eric Smith, 15.2, and Jared Evans, at 12.2, answered his question. They have kept it up in the playoffs.

And during district, senior sub Matt Troyer picked up the Panthers.

“He was the leading rebounder both games and became the extra big man we need,” said Altmeyer.

It means an extra week of basketball.

“The thing we’re thankful for most is being there,” said Altmeyer. “It’s what we work for.

“We’ll take one game at a time and try to come home with something.”

CV sophomore Jewell a gem

District playoffs in the Spokane Arena can intimidate first-time players. It certainly did University against a predominantly seasoned Central Valley team.

CV sophomore Raeanna Jewell, however, was unfazed. She was responsible for burying the jittery Titans in her first playoff game.

U-Hi didn’t help itself with errant shot-taking, but it was a two-minute third-quarter stretch by Jewell that settled the game.

CV led 29-19 when Jewell had a rebound and assist for one score, a steal and basket for another and a 3-point play that made the score 37-19.

The Bears stay home for next week’s Lamb Weston East Regional tournament. The Titans travel, as do Central Valley’s boys, who lost to Lewis and Clark.

Valley Christian girls were eliminated from District B play in another Thursday game.

Perfect for three years

When the Valley junior high boys basketball season ended, players from Horizon Junior High had accomplished a rare feat.

The athletes never lost in 30 junior high games.

“It never happened at Horizon in boys or girls basketball,” said Hawks coach Dick Kleven.

His caveat was a group that arrived as eighth-graders when Horizon opened and was perfect for two years after going unbeaten at Bowdish in the seventh grade.

Current team members all three years were Don Turner, Kenny Florence, Matt Thompson, Jason Jones, Ryan Hite, Aaron Grant, Jonathon Grondel, Kalen Hollinberger, Kyle Jones, Thomas Kirkland, Chad Powell and Jon Walter.

Kelly Parsons coached them as seventh-graders, and Bill Knudsen as eighth-graders.

Ironically, it was Horizon girls that prevented the Greenacres girls from also completing three perfect years.

Bruin players won 29 straight both in volleyball and basketball before losing their last games in each sport, said coach Vicki Arnold.

Players on both teams were Katie Rodgers, Brandi Nunnally, Alexis Kirk, Jayme Heinen, Rachel Jewell, Lara Whitley, Andrea Putnam and Rebekka McCoy. New to the team this year was Ashley Metzger.

Arnold also coached them in seventh grade. Her ninth-grade assistant, Debbie Gilbert, coached them in eighth grade.

Valley Girls softball signup

Preregistration for the upcoming Spokane Valley Girls Softball Association season is next week. Sites for sign-up are Monday at Evergreen Junior High, Tuesday at Centennial and Thursday at East Valley Middle Schools. Hours are 7-9 p.m.

Each session will include a parent meeting to answer questions.

“We get 50 to 60 percent of our registration on the first three nights,” said association board president Dallas Williams. “It really helps.”

The league is also seeking volunteer help, umpires and coaches. Call 922-3979 and leave a message.

Select baseball coaches needed

Spokane Valley Baseball is seeking qualified coaches for its newly formed Giants and Midget select program.

League president Mike Asan said the Giants could have played as many as 55 extra games this summer but likely will play 24 over six weekends.

Call 922-0420 to apply.

Renz third in gymnastics

Northwest Gymnastics Academy performer Stewart Renz was third all-around at the MAC Open 99 meet in Portland.

Renz scored 43.5 and reached the finals in five events.

He won high bar and was second on vault and pommel horse and third on parallel bars and floor exercise.