U-Hi, EV Have Home Advantage

Sat., Jan. 8, 2000

By Mike Vlahovich mikev@spokesman.com (509) 927-2180

Midway through the season, Greater Spokane League wrestling has become a four-team race that includes University and East Valley.

Things get serious beginning next Wednesday, and the pair benefit most with home-mat advantage.

Unbeaten U-Hi hosts once-beaten Gonzaga Prep in the first of a series of big meets over the league’s final three weeks.

“I can figure eight matches with clear-cut outcomes, and six are undecided,” said Titan coach Don Owen of his team’s impending match against the defending league and state champion Bullpups.

The Titans have six probable winners in 14 matches, and the Bullpups have four. The key will be who most successfully juggles his lineup, particularly in the weights between 119 and 145 and the weights between 189 and 275.

The Bullpups lost earlier to unbeaten Rogers, which travels the following week to once-beaten EV on Wednesday and U-Hi on Thursday in make-or-break matches for all concerned.

The Knights also host Gonzaga Prep in the Jan. 26 season finale.

During last week’s competition U-Hi won twice and EV beat North Central 44-14 the night after NC whipped CV’s altered lineup 50-15.

At season’s midpoint Knights John Sommer-DeVargas, Mike Devenere, Isaiah Hankel, Ryan Wilkinson and Josh Birt are all undefeated.

So, too, are Titans Ryan Montang, Todd Slatter, Tom Owen, Ben Osborn and Josh Buege.

CV’s Kyle and Travis Bush and Mike Durtschi are unbeaten. Andy Brownson and Brad Finney have lost once.

League champions? But which?

Freeman can’t proclaim itself champions of the Northeast A League just yet. Indeed, the six-game league season doesn’t even begin until next Saturday.

But the Scotties boys are two wins away from becoming the unofficial champions of the 2A Great Northern League.

Currently in the midst of an 11-day break, Freeman has games remaining against rugged Chewelah and last year’s state-qualifying Lakeside among the eight scheduled against GNL schools.

Already Freeman has beaten this year’s favorite, Deer Park, plus Chewelah, Medical Lake twice, Riverside and Newport. The only team the Scotties don’t play is defending league champion and state runner-up Pullman.

Since losing their first two games, to Class B schools Garfield-Palouse and Valley Christian, the Scotties have won 10 in a row, most recently 62-44 in Newport.

Streaking Tanner Townsend, who has averaged 18.5 points per game over the last four, led four players in double figures. Included was Eric Hendrickson with a varsity career high 12 points.

Jeff Hyndman leads Freeman scorers with a 16-point average. Townsend at 13.4 and Bill DePell at 13.2 are other double figures scorers

Freeman opens NEA play next Saturday in Liberty. The Lancers are 9-2 in pre-season.

Freeman’s 3-8 girls team is one of three NEA teams with eight losses, Liberty included. They are at Deer Park tonight prior to league play.

Heather Wilkerson continues to lead team scoring with an 11.7 average. On the strength of her second 20-point game this season, against Newport, Laura Halverson is averaging 10 points a game.

Valley Christian back on task

Valley Christian’s unbeaten boys and once-beaten girls basketball teams wrap up a three-game week tonight in Davenport.

It is the second pivotal game for the Panther girls who lost in Reardan by a basket on Tuesday.

Those two teams split their season series and are now tied for first place.

Carli Smith is averaging 16.9 points per game and lone VC senior, Katie Arnhold scored 13 against Reardan.

Scoring balance in the absence of injured points leader Brent Decker has carried the boys.

Gymnastics update

Central Valley continues to cruise toward a Greater Spokane League gymnastics title.

The unbeaten Bears opened a two-meet lead with wins over Lakeside and Ferris as April Mims and Emily Roberts finished second and third all-around.

Mims won two events.

University is fourth in league after losing to North Central. Marci Hulbert was second all-around.

Soccer registration time

The Spokane Valley Junior Soccer Association is seeking players ages 6 through 8 for the spring season.

The season runs from April 1 to May 13. Call the soccer office, 922-7910, for more information.

SVJSA offices are at 12505 E. Sprague on the second floor of the Sports Creel Building.

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