LC flows past CV behind Bowman
Lewis and Clark girls basketball coach Jim Redmon called it “flow,” but for Central Valley it was sheer intimidation during the Tigers’ 59-35 triumph Friday at LC’s Squinty Hunter Fieldhouse.
Using quickness and anticipation, the Tigers blitzed CV early en route to the impressive non-counting win over a Greater Spokane League foe that beat them twice last year.
The Tigers pressed efficiently, were able to fill passing lanes almost before the Bears passed the basketball and had an uncanny ability to recover from defensive gambles, harrying the visitors into numerous first-half mistakes and missed layins.
LC (7-0) rattled off 15 unanswered points for a 21-4 first-quarter lead and scored the final 15 points of the half, increasing that lead to 28 points.
CV (3-2) recovered in the second half when the Tigers went out of their pressure defense, but it was a case of too little, too late.
“We played scared,” said CV coach Judy Walters. “I thought we had them ready, but I don’t think we were, mentally. I bet we missed 10 layins, and that’s part of playing scared.”
LC can do that to you.
Pressing and trapping full court didn’t necessarily cause many of CV’s 15 first-half turnovers, but it did create a certain panic.
Time and again, if the Bears got behind the press, they missed layins. Some of the blown shots came after Tigers defenders gambled and missed, but were able to recover so quickly the Bears heard the sound of footsteps.
When CV was in its half-court offense, the threat of quickness resulted in hurried passes that the cat-quick Tigers picked off and turned into transition points.
If the perimeter defense weren’t enough, when a CV player did penetrate, eight times in the game LC was there to block the shot.
Then there was the Heather Bowman factor. LC’s 6-foot-2 junior post hit 6 of 6 from the floor, finishing with 14 points, and pulled down seven rebounds by halftime.
“We’ve been doing that pretty much with everyone we play,” Redmon said of the Tigers’ intimidating quickness on defense. “I thought that was one of the big keys. We were ready for this game. There’s been a lot of talk about who the top dogs are in the league. I think the girls wanted to make sure they knew where we are.”
CV trailed 6-4 and had missed enough layin attempts to be ahead. Over the next 3:20, Bowman scored the first seven points of LC’s first 15-point outburst.
Bowman also scored the final five points and had a total of seven in the final 15-point run up to intermission. Bowman finished her night with a game-high 18 and had nine rebounds.
Once CV regrouped, Heidi Heintz in particular, it outscored the Tigers in the second half. Heintz scored 12 of her 15 points and 6-0 post Kayla LaRue scored all nine of hers and had six rebounds in the final 16 minutes.
“Our goal tonight was to put four quarters together,” said Redmon. “I think overall, other than in Redmond, this has probably been our best flow game.”
Because of injuries, his was the first game in which all 11 LC players saw court time.
Gonzaga Prep 46, Mead 44
Sophomore Tara Cronin scored seven points as the Bullpups (3-1) wiped out an eight-point third-quarter deficit to edge the host Panthers (2-3) in the night’s thriller. Sarah Jennings was G-Prep’s scoring leader with 11 points. Kelli Valentine scored 18 for the Panthers and teamed with Chelsea Mykines for 15 rebounds.
University 81, Ferris 46
Six different Titans (7-0) combined to hit 7 of 9 3-pointers while turning up the heat and scoring 72 points in the game’s final three quarters at Ferris (2-4). U-Hi’s veteran trio of Jami and Angie Bjorklund and Emily Kuipers combined for 51 points. It was the third straight game the team has scored 80 points or more.
North Central 53, Cheney 47
The Indians (5-0) completed their preseason sweep of its Class 3A opposition with a fourth-quarter rally in Cheney (1-4). The two could meet again in Cheney’s Holiday Tournament Dec. 29-30. NC trailed 37-33 going into the final period, but outscored the Blackhawks 20-10 for the win. NC’s Shantel Haugen scored a career-high 24 points.
Mt. Spokane 70, Rogers 32
Sophomore Katelan Redmon scored a career-high 28 points in leading the Wildcats (3-1) past Rogers (0-5). Redmon also had 10 rebounds. Mt. Spokane held the visiting Pirates to six second-half points, shutting them out in the fourth quarter.
Clarkston 65, West Valley 37
The host Bantams (3-2) pulled away with a 23-point third quarter to keep the Eagles (0-5) winless. Kathryn DeVleming of Clarkston scored 15 points and had six steals.
Coeur d’Alene 62, East Valley 44
The Vikings (9-1) used a 22-4 third-quarter outburst to put away a close game against the visiting Knights (3-3). CdA’s Jackie Lenz scored 20 points, her first double-figure game of the year, and Jenna Griffitts added 17. Katie Storey scored 13 points and Kelsey Hentges 12 for EV.