Humphrey helps lift Shadle Park
Sophomore Zack Humphrey had a relatively quiet night despite scoring 21 points during Shadle Park’s 57-42 season-opening non-league boys basketball win over North Central.
But the noise he did make was substantial in helping the Highlanders subdue the visiting Indians.
In particular were the six points he scored when Shadle dug itself out from a 9-0 first-quarter deficit and the five points he had in a 45-second third-quarter span, opening a six-point lead that NC could not answer.
Humphrey finished with nearly half of Shadle’s 13 field goals in the game and joined in the fourth-quarter free-throw shooting marathon that put the contest safely away.
The Highlanders scored only one basket in the final period, but were 18 for 23 at the line.
“I was really happy overall,” said Shadle coach Tim Gaebe of the outcome. “The upside was that we were down 9-0 and end up winning the first quarter. And we had people who didn’t play as well as they usually do and we won so that’s an upside.”
One of those with an off-night was 6-foot-7 inside presence Josh Landsverk, although in the second half he had eight rebounds and seven points.
He and Humphrey were the only two Highlanders to score from the field in the game’s final 22 minutes.
NC held the Highlanders scoreless for the first 4 minutes of the first quarter while converting four scoring opportunities. Included was a 3-point basket by Nathan Hood and two baskets inside by Damal Neil.
But Shadle went on a 19-4 tear and held a slim 24-23 lead at half.
Neil scored 10 points, but was neutralized somewhat in the second half, smothered by Shadle’s zone defense. Still, he finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
“With this group I wasn’t really worried,” said Gaebe of the early deficit. “They’ve been in the situation before and don’t get rattled.”
None of the evening’s games between GSL teams counted in the league standings.
Clarkston 53, Cheney 49
An 18-5 fourth quarter by the visiting Bantams wiped out Cheney’s game-long lead and they had a 25-15 rebound advantage to stun the Blackhawks.
Cheney led by 10 points with 4 minutes left before Clayton Johnson and Joel Dahmen, who combined for 26 points, rallied Clarkston.
West Valley 61, East Valley 48
The Eagles dominated the visiting Knights inside, hit five 3-point baskets and put the game away with a 22-10 third-quarter outburst for a 53-30 lead. Tyler Hobbs had 17 points and 15 rebounds and E.J. Richardson added 14 points.
Ferris 68, Lewis and Clark 47
The 1-2 punch of guard Jon Clift (17 points) and forward Brian Hallett (a game-high 25) overwhelmed the host Tigers (0-2). No Tiger finished in double figures.
Gonzaga Prep 46, Rogers 39
Beau Azadganian scored 14 points, including 6 for 7 at the line to lift the home-standing Bullpups in their home opener.
His two free throws in the final minute put G-Prep up five, the biggest lead by either team in the game. Scotty Livengood scored 16 for the Pirates (1-1).
Central Valley 36, University 32
The visiting Bears held the Titans to 10 second-half points, and won the first and third quarters by a combined 20-9 for the season-opening victory.
Brad Johnson and Matt Morgan each scored nine for CV.
U-Hi’s inside game accounted for 26 points, Brent Garves with 10 rebounds.
Mt. Spokane 61, Mead 52
The Wildcats made 23 of 27 free throws to top the Panthers.
Mead made all of its free throws, but only had seven chances at the line.
Matt Dorr led the way for the Wildcats with 24 points. Tim Roffler had 12 points, hitting all eight of his free-throw attempts for Mt. Spokane while Chris Madunich also added 12 points, all coming on field goals.
Lucas Ashe scored 13 points and Nick Harter 12 for the Panthers. Mt. Spokane hit 53 percent of its shots from the field to Mead’s 41 percent.