Scotties Just Needed A Little Chat

Whatever was said at halftime of the Freeman-Valley Christian basketball game, the point was obviously made.

The Scotties’ dramatic second-half adjustments enabled them to run away from the Panthers for a 20-point victory.

The win came a day after Freeman outlasted a frenetic comeback by Garfield-Palouse, winning by two points.

A year ago, Freeman lost to both and coach Mike Thacker wasn’t sure at the time what it meant, though his team ultimately finished with a flourish to place fourth in state with a 25-3 record.

This year the Scotties, following both victories, raise the question about how much they’ve improved.

“I hope they’re growing and growing up quick,” said coach Mike Thacker two days later.

Freeman gave up 31 fourth-quarter points to Garfield-Palouse after leading 49-35.

At Valley Christian - a team virtually unbeatable in its own gym the last three years - Freeman gave up only 20 second-half points after leading by just two at halftime.

“It wasn’t so much a physical adjustment as a psychological adjustment,” Thacker said of Freeman’s stifling man-to-man defense.

Except for Brent Decker, who scored 24 points, the Scotties pretty much kept the rest of Valley Christian’s players at bay.

The Scotties toned down the pace of the first half that produced a number of fouls and relegated Jeff Hyndman to the bench for much of it.

“We really worked hard on defense,” said Thacker. “We thought, coming off the state tournament, that’s where we lacked.”

Hyndman, who returned to score seven fourth-quarter points, was one of four double-figures scorers for Freeman.

The night before, he and Tanner Townsend were the only players in doubles, but Townsend’s career-high 29 points proved to be just enough against defending State B champion Gar-Pal.

Valley Christian had beaten Riverside by 30 the night before Freeman arrived.

Panthers star shines in nonleague

If there was any doubting the ability of Valley Christian junior Carli Smith, it was dispelled during two easy nonleague wins.

She scored 60 points during 43-and 35-point victories over Riverside and Freeman.

The Panthers thrived in the second half outscoring Riverside 37-8 and Freeman 38-16.

Although relatively untested by Freeman, the first-half of the game was closer than its 32-19 score.

Freeman’s offense provided ample opportunity; the girls simply couldn’t make their shots. The same wasn’t true for Kristen Lanker, who, along with Smith, sparked Valley Christian in the game’s first 16 minutes.

GSL sophomores impressive

Sophomore girls had impressive debuts when the Greater Spokane League opened last week.

Emily Westerberg of Central Valley and Heidi Bunkowske of University scored 20 points and 23 points respectively and Bear Caitlin Courchaine added 18 in CV’s win.

The Bear girls, who rolled up 110 points and had six double-figures scores at North Central, will get a sterner test Friday against Mead, last year’s GSL champions.

Central Valley’s boys also won their debut led by Chris Rodgers and sophomore Derek Taylor with 23 and 15 points respectively, but the Valley’s other GSL teams are awaiting their first victories.

Eagles take up where they left off

West Valley and Lance Pecht took up where they left off with an easy win against Medical Lake.

The high-powered Eagles scored 83 as prelude to Tuesday night’s game at Post Falls. Pecht scored 26 points and had four of the team’s 10 3-point baskets.

WV girls lost their Border League opener but evened their record against Medical Lake prior to playing league favorite Post Falls.

Four players, Shannon Groh, Chelsey Thomas, Amanda Holstrom and Becky Nowaski had double-figures games.

Inland Empire Classic next for EV

A week after finishing second in the Deer Park Invitational, East Valley wrestlers will test themselves in the 16-team Inland Empire Classic.

The Knights had four finalists at Deer Park, including champions Justin Moody at 215 pounds, Courtney Howard, 275, and freshman T.C. Imes at 103.

University senior Tommy Owen won at 135 pounds.

Finishing second were Central Valley’s Ken Stewart at 140 and EV’s Ryan Wilkinson at 160.

Competition at Central Valley’s I.E. Classic begins on Friday and concludes with awards presentations at 4:30 p.m on Saturday.

Nine Greater Spokane League schools and five from the Big Nine, including last year’s state 4A champion Moses Lake and third-place EV are in the field.

CV, U-Hi and West Valley will all be in the field.

The top six finishers in each weight class and top three teams will be awarded trophies.

YMCA Holiday Jamboree

The annual YMCA Holiday Basketball Jamboree will be conducted for grades 4-8 Dec. 27-29 at various Valley locations.

There will be separate divisions for YMCA and AAU teams.

Registration deadline is Wednesdayfor a $130 fee. For information contact Todd Ullrich at 777-9622.

Valley Soccer registration

Soccer sign-ups for the spring season of Spokane Valley Junior Soccer Association are under way.

The league is looking for players ages 6 through 8 for the April 7 to mid-May competition.

Call the SVJSA soccer office at 922-7910 for information.