Knights escape close calls against Wildcats

East Valley’s margin for error in Wednesday’s Greater Spokane League wrestling match at Mt. Spokane was nearly as thin as Jordan Jolley’s overtime escape at match’s midpoint.

Jolley rolled free from Jake Reynolds as time expired in their 171-pound match during EV’s eventual 36-28 escape, and was awarded the winning point for a 7-6 decision that could have gone either way.

“We want to win the argument,” said EV coach Craig Hanson of the lobbying that took place by both coaches following the referee’s call. “Had we lost it, I could have lived with it.”

It was a buzzer call and the referee’s gut decision, Hanson said. The only way the decision could have satisfied both parties was if another referee had been there to watch the clock.

Had it gone the other way, the Knights (2-0) still would have won, but by a hair’s-breadth two points over the Wildcats (1-1).

As it was, the two teams divided the 14 matches and there were as many wild occurrences in the first six as there were in the 171-pound contest, the night’s seventh.

In that one, Jolley fell behind 6-4 in the third round, with Reynolds given a penalty point and escape, and getting a takedown with 1 minute, 15 seconds to go.

In the waning moments, the EV senior got a stall point back and escaped with fewer than 9 seconds to go in regulation. His last-gasp granby roll in OT put the Knights up as a team 21-12.

“It was kind of a desperation move,” said Jolley. “I just said what the heck and the call went my way.”

Their match was preceded by four pins, three by the Knights, and a couple of other thrilling decisions. A major highlight came in the night’s 130-pound opener, when EV’s Aaron Start threw Aaron McKinney, ending it in 25 seconds.

“I really feel we got caught in that one,” said Mt. Spokane coach Travis Hughes. “I don’t know what would have happened, but I think that was a difference.”

He said he was sure it typically wouldn’t have been a pin.

Of course, that was the same thing Hanson said of the 145-pound contest three matches later, when Matt Pea caught Bryce Fisher in a head and arm while trailing 4-2 late in the first round.

“Don’t take anything away from Matt Pea. He’s a solid, solid kid,” said Hanson. “But I don’t think he could pin Bryce Fisher again.”

Jared Imes’ early second-round pin in the second match had put EV ahead 12-0. But Noah Hatton broke a 5-all tie in the third round for a 9-6 win at 140 pounds and that was followed by Pea’s pin.

Then, in a crazy match, Nick Petrie twice turned chin whips into five-point throws to outscore Drew Beaudoin 19-13.

“You let them get the head in and shoot at you, then you feel the pressure and throw,” Petrie said of his ability to lock his opponent’s head and whip him to his back.

Jolley’s escape followed Fred Arnold’s pin of Braun Murray in a 160-pound match of state and regional standouts and EV never trailed again.

But Mt. Spokane hung tough, including 205-pound Nick Jordan’s 9-7 win in the 275-pound weight class over regional veteran Chris Helm. It wasn’t until back-to-back pins in the night’s 11th and 12th contests that EV secured its victory.

Hughes’ main disappointment was the pin differential. EV had five to Mt. Spokane’s two.

“I would have liked to see us not get pinned,” he said. “The rest we just did everything we could. We thought going in we had a chance to win, but everything would have to go right for us. We did have a chance, but not everything went right.”

Hanson was just glad to get out of Mt. Spokane with a win. Next up is another toughie, at Central Valley tonight. The Bears beat Cheney 56-20 to share first place in the American Division with EV.

“Travis has done an outstanding job. I saw it coming a long time ago,” he said of Mt. Spokane’s effort. “We knew this was going to be a tough one and our backs are against the wall again with CV.”

University 48, Clarkston 22: In the night’s National Division biggie, the Titans (2-0) went on the road and defeated the Bantams (1-1). The Titans won 10 matches and one of their four losses was a forfeit at 103 as moved Brian Owen moved up a weight and beat state veteran Kodey DesJardin 6-1. Also up a weight to 125, Cory Fish pinned one Alex Barham, one of five U-Hi pins in the match. … Gonzaga Prep 52, West Valley 19: The visiting Bullpups (2-0) beat the Eagles (0-2) and are at U-Hi tonight in their first-place National showdown. The Bullpups also won 10 of 14 matches, four by pin, including by Mark Whipple at 103 and Chris Katus at 130, two by forfeit and three by major decision. Eagles Jeff Degenhardt and Andy Vennum also won by pin. … Lewis and Clark 66, Rogers 12: In the other National match, Nate Powell moved up a weight to 130 and improved to 10-0 for the season with a pin, leading the Tigers (1-1) over the visiting Pirates (0-1). The Tigers won 12 matches, four by forfeit and six by pin. … Central Valley 56, Cheney 20: In the American Division, the Bears had seven pins in 10 wins over the host Blackhawks (0-2). But one they didn’t get was at 130, where Cheney state veteran Blake Risk, trailing 6-2, pinned state placer Lucas Chesher, who had moved up a weight, with 41 seconds remaining. … Mead 55, Ferris 22: The Panthers opened their season with a win over the host Saxons. The Panthers won 10 of 14, Ryan Peck rallying at 145 with an escape and takedown to beat Alex King of the Saxons 4-2. Matt Steinhilber trailed Mead’s Jay Manley 12-11 in the third period but won by pin in their back-and-forth match.