Intensity sparks LC’s blowout of Shadle Park
There’s undefeated and there’s undefeated.
Lewis and Clark is the latter, after a 20-1 opening run ignited a 70-29 blowout of previously unbeaten Shadle Park in a non-league game Tuesday night.
“I really liked our intensity right off the bat,” said LC coach Jim Redmon, who conceded only Mead has really tested his 4-0 Tigers so far this season. “This was the best offensive flow we’ve shown. Everyone was involved in the offense from the start, and our intensity in the first quarter was the best it’s been.”
The host Tigers, ranked second in the Seattle Times statewide poll, forced six turnovers in Shadle’s first six possessions (all but one in the backcourt) and scored off four of them. The Highlanders, who came in 4-0, ended the opening quarter with 11 turnovers and just nine shots, none of which went in the basket.
Only junior Lexi Bishop finished in double figures (with 10) and only Bishop and sophomore point Ali Fenter (seven points) had more than one field goal.
LC’s defensive intensity keyed the offensive flow, with Heather Bowman scoring 10 of her game-high 18 in the first quarter, all from within 5 feet of the hoop. The Tigers, who took off their press after 7 minutes, scored 12 of their 25 first-quarter points as a result of steals.
“We have an advantage, because we can duplicate our speed in practice,” said Redmon, who played 13 and had 11 of them score. “We’ve been killing each other at practice.”
That practice regimen has resulted in a team with depth, speed and size. The depth was illustrated in the final 5 minutes of the game, when each team scored eight points, all of LC’s from sophomores, the speed by 28 forced turnovers and the size by a 49-22 edge on the boards.
“Everyone on this team is expected to contribute,” Redmon said. “Tonight we had that on both ends of the floor.”
Gonzaga Prep 62, Central Valley 59 (OT)
The visiting Bullpups (5-0 and ranked ninth) took a 55-53 lead with 8 seconds left in regulation on Tara Cronin’s hoop, part of her game-high 26. But Heidi Heintz, who led CV (3-2) with 22, was fouled and made two game-tying free throws with less than a second remaining. When the Bullpups took the lead in overtime, they put the ball in point guard Corrina O’Brien’s hands, and the senior hit 3 of 4 free throws to ice it.
University 64, Rogers 45
For the second consecutive game, Janna Erickson led the Titans (3-1 and ranked 10th) in scoring, following her 20-point performance of last Friday with 19 against the host Pirates (0-4). Rogers’ Denisha Whitehead nailed two 3-pointers en route to a team-high 10 points.
Clarkston 66, North Central 56
The Bantams evened their record at 2-2 by connecting on six 3-pointers, three apiece by Misty Atkinson (23 points) and Alicia Jelinek (12 points and seven rebounds). They also weathered a furious fourth-quarter North Central rally.
The 1-3 Indians, who trailed by 22 going into the final quarter, were paced by the 18 points of Ashlee Michelson.
Mt. Spokane 57, West Valley 47
Charlee Jackson’s 17 points, six rebounds and four assists lifted the Wildcats (1-3) past the host Eagles (0-4). Krystal McCarthy connected on five 3-pointers in leading WV with 17 points. Jordyn Sordoff chipped in nine assists on WV’s 24 baskets.
East Valley 54, Cheney 44
Ashley Grater paced the host Knights (3-1) with 13 points and seven rebounds while Kelsey Hentches sparked the defense with six steals. The Blackhawks (1-3), who led 13-12 after one quarter, were topped by Calynne Oyolokor’s 11 points.
Mead 61, Ferris 36
The visiting Panthers (3-1) defense forced 22 turnovers and sparked a 19-5 run to open the game. Mead’s Kelli Valentine and Kami Clark combined for 25 points while Jenna Galloway, with 11, was the only Saxon (1-4) in double figures.