Ferris holds off U-Hi in back-and-forth struggle

Ferris has been there, done that, and its poise under pressure Thursday was telling, particularly early and again late in a 48-46 victory over University, a Greater Spokane League boys basketball thriller befitting league tri-leaders.

The Saxons (14-3, 8-2) burst out of the gates quickly at U-Hi (12-5, 7-3) to lead 12-2, then, after falling behind 19-14, scored the final nine points of the first half.

It was nail-biting time thereafter – the teams tied six times in the final 16 minutes before eight of its final 10 free-throw attempts and weathered a U-Hi shot to tie with 3 seconds remaining to escape.

It was Ferris’ first win over the Titans in their last four meetings.

“It was the last time we play them,” said Ryan Shelby, speaking for Ferris’ five seniors. “We didn’t want to go out losing to U-Hi.”

Ferris’ Jeremy Templeton, held in check on offense for much of the game, hit 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch and Brian Hallett, with a six points in the fourth quarter, made two more.

Then there was Shelby, who dominated the game for a span in the first half, scoring eight points, and whose high-flying rebounds against a taller team came at the most opportune times.

“I just try and use my quickness and get up first,” he said, adding that in coming off an ankle sprain this is his first game fully healthy. “I’m not tall, but I get up faster.”

U-Hi’s inside game was nearly nonexistent and the Titans took nary a free throw until the fourth quarter (making but 3 of 8), despite the fast-paced pressure the Saxons employed.

But the Titans were deadly from long range to make a game of it. Four different players combined for 11 3-pointers, four apiece by Inderbir Gill and Sunny Khehra. Five of the long shots wiped out Ferris’ early first-half lead. Six more came in the second half, the home team taking a 41-38 lead with 2:14 to go.

But then, every scramble call in the game that Ferris coach Barry Olson called “a blood bath” went the Saxons’ way down the stretch. Ferris made its free throws count after missing four straight earlier.

“They were tough tonight,” said U-Hi coach Marty Jessett of the Saxons. “And we weren’t playing offense as well as we had been. We were not patient and getting the shots we wanted.”

He added that he hoped the two teams will meet again in the postseason.

“The guys have been around,” said Olson. “I think the run they made in the playoffs last year has given them the confidence and poise.”

G-Prep 67, Mt. Spokane 59

Ryan Murphy scored 10 of his game-high 25 points in the difference-making 23-13 second-quarter advantage as the host Bullpups (12-5, 8-2) remained tied for first place. The Wildcats (8-9, 5-5) fell back into a tie for sixth with Mead for sixth among 4A teams.

Shadle Park 67, North Central 55

The Highlanders (8-9, 6-4) started fast and kept up the pace throughout the Groovy Shoes spirit game in the Spokane Arena. NC (7-10, 4-6) fell behind 6-0 at the outset and never could overcome it in the first half. But the score was 30-30 and the Indians took a brief lead before Shadle zipped away. Josh Powell and Zack Humphrey each scored eight second-half points and Shadle made 19 of 24 free throws in the fourth quarter. The Highlanders were 27 for 37 in the game, while NC was 7 for 22

Central Valley 58, LC 43

The Bears (12-5, 6-4) raced to a 17-3 first-quarter lead as Braden Jensen hit three 3-pointers on his way to 21 points. Jensen also harried the Tigers (5-11, 3-7) with seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.

West Valley 77, Rogers 68

The Eagles (14-3, 7-3) took a two-game lead over 3A teams in the GSL with their win at Rogers (2-16, 0-10). Greg Bradley hit five 3-pointers for 21 points, and Tyler Hobbs and E.J. Richardson combined for 38 in the post for WV. League scoring leader Scotty Livengood scored 20 for the Pirates and freshman Andrew Durant, in his varsity debut, had six points and six assists.

East Valley 65, Clarkston 48

The visiting Knights (5-12, 2-8) outscored the Bantams (8-9, 5-5) 41-19 in the second half. Jye Lanphere and Nick Atwood (17 points apiece) and Dylan Sattin (15 points) did the damage for EV.

Cheney 59, Mead 55

Still short-handed with two injured scoring leaders sidelined, the visiting Blackhawks (8-9, 4-6) rode Matt Brunell’s 28 points – 11 in the fourth quarter – to a comeback victory over the Panthers (8-9, 5-5).