Muddied waters
And now there are three.
Central Valley shocked league-leader Gonzaga Prep, while Ferris and University took care of business to create a three-way tie for first in Greater Spokane League boys basketball.
Braden Jensen made two free throws with 1.7 seconds remaining to rejuvenate the Bears at home during a 48-47 victory over the Bullpups (11-5, 7-2) to keep everyone guessing about what will transpire before the season ends.
Meanwhile, University (12-4, 7-2) outgunned Mead in the first half of their 56-40 triumph and Ferris (13-3, 7-2) beat Mt. Spokane by the nearly identical score, 56-44, to share first place.
Four games remain in GSL play and only two games separate seven teams vying for six playoff berths.
Several significant contests remain, since first- and second-place finishers qualify for regionals. Included is Thursday night’s showdown between the Titans and Saxons at U-Hi.
Central Valley 48, Gonzaga 47
The Bears (11-5, 5-4) turned the ball over while working for the last shot the first half and Prep converted for an eight-point lead in an uptempo game. But CV ran off the first nine points of the third quarter to go in front 28-27 and make a game of it that went down to the final seconds. Both teams were in the double bonus when Brandon Kennedy made one of two free throws with 5.4 seconds left. Jensen was fouled and made both of his shots giving CV the win. Three Bears finished in double figures led by Nick Ambrose’s game-high 17. Michael Johnson and Ryan Murphy paced the Bullpups.
University 56, Mead 40
The visiting Titans hurt the Panthers (8-8, 5-4) with 3-point shooting and rebounding superiority in joining the first-place triad. They built a 29-16 first-half lead and during the game hit seven 3-point baskets, two each by Kyle Olson, Matt Hanna and Inderbir Gill, while shooting 54 percent from the field. U-Hi outrebounded Mead 34-16, which didn’t help itself with cold shooting.
Ferris 56, Mt. Spokane 44
When the Saxons focused their defensive attention on Matt Dorr they gained control of the game against the visiting Wildcats (8-8, 5-4). Dorr scored 11 of his team-high 17 points in the first quarter for a 16-14 lead. Then Ferris shut him down to take a 27-20 halftime lead and were able to build on it. Offensively the team was fairly balanced, nine players scoring, but the Saxons got a big lift from Brian Hallett, whose 18 points came on 9-for-12 shooting from the field.
Shadle Park 51, Cheney 47
The Highlanders (7-9, 5-4) are part of a five-way tie for fourth place following their victory in Cheney (7-9, 3-6). They nursed a three-point lead into the fourth quarter where Josh Powell hit five free throws to keep Shadle ahead. Freshman Zack Humphrey scored 14 points hitting 4 of 6 3-point baskets in the first half and 6-foot-7 Josh Landsverk added 13 points. The Blackhawks were without two of their top scorers, Derek Miller and Ben Camp, because of injuries.
Clarkston 77, Rogers 49
The host Bantams (8-8, 5-4) made eight 3-point baskets in outrunning the Pirates (2-15, 0-9). Jason Curtis and Colin Castellaw had three 3-point baskets each as they and fellow guard Ryan Turnbow combined for 37 points. Scotty Livengood scored 22 for Rogers.
West Valley 50, LC 47
Little separated the teams from start to finish and it took a defensive stop by the Eagles (13-3, 6-3) to prevent the visiting Tigers (5-10, 3-6) from a tie. E.J. Richardson scored 18 points and had 9 rebounds for WV. Guards Danny McIntyre and Greg Bradley combined for five 3-point baskets. LC’s Andre Jennings had three 3-pointers and finished with 15 points.
North Central 80, East Valley 61
The visiting Indians (7-9, 4-5) outran the Knights (4-12, 1-8) while Louis Hurd and Dylan Sattin engaged in a long-range shootout. NC’s Hurd and EV’s Sattin each had five 3-point baskets to finish with 24 and 25 points, respectively. But the Indians were better inside, winning the rebounding battle 35-19 while Damal Neil scored a game-high 28 points. Included was a 10-0f-14 effort at the free-throw line.