Ferris wins to remain in playoff chase
It was “do or else” for Ferris’ girls at home against Mead in Greater Spokane League basketball Tuesday night and the Saxons responded by winning 53-35 in one of their most complete efforts this season.
Only six teams will make the District 4A playoffs and Ferris was facing the prospect of falling two games off the pace if it lost.
“This was absolutely a must win,” said Saxon coach Art Rojas. “It was our last real chance.”
Two games remain as Ferris (8-10, 6-5) tied the Panthers (9-8, 6-5) for sixth by winning.
Rojas said the problem with Ferris this year has been a lack of consistency as a team.
“We’ve had individuals play well on nights,” he said. “Tonight I just thought everybody played hard and well.”
Two bursts at approximately the same point in each half enabled the home team to take command of the game. The runs coincided with foul troubles by Mead’s top two scorers.
Both Chelsea Mykines and Kelli Valentine got considerable pine time. With them on the bench in the first half, Ferris ran off 17 straight points beginning with 2:30 left in the first quarter for a 21-6 lead.
Mead cut the once-formidable advantage to five points with a 7-1 start to the third quarter, but then Valentine picked up her third foul.
Not long afterward, starting with less than 3 minutes to go in the third quarter, the Saxons ran off 12 straight points. Half of them were by Jenna Galloway for a 42-25 advantage.
Much of their success came inside where Lexi Lallas scored 14 points and hauled down 13 rebounds. Galloway and Stacey Cox also finished in double figures.
Even with limited playing time Valentine, Mead’s sophomore post, scored 17 points.
“We wanted to try and take Valentine out of the game,” said Rojas. “She still did pretty well. She’s good.”
Lallas called Ferris’ win a team effort.
“We’re so excited,” she said of the imperative victory. “We really wanted to win and I think it showed. We gave it our all, 32 minutes, nothing left on the court.”
LC 69, Clarkston 39
Briann January had nine points in the Tigers’ 25-6 first quarter and Ula Tauala scored a career-high 14 points in Heather Bowman’s absence. LC (18-0, 11-0) remained perfect against the visiting Bantams (9-9, 4-7).
University 71, Shadle Park 39
Jami Bjorklund scored all of her 20 points in the first three quarters when the visiting Titans (18-0, 11-0) built a 61-22 advantage over the Highlanders (5-13, 4-7). U-Hi’s Kara Crisp hit four 3-pointers for a career-high 12 points.
Gonzaga Prep 74, WV 37
Shannon Murray scored 11 of her 17 points against the visiting Eagles (2-16, 2-9) in the first half as the Bullpups (14-4, 9-2) maintained third place. Murray was 5 for 10 from the field and 6 for 6 from the free-throw line.
Mt. Spokane 59, CV 53
The fourth-place Wildcats (14-4, 8-3) added to the best season in school history with the win at CV (12-6, 6-5). The Wildcats have a two-game advantage over Ferris and Mead with two games remaining in their bid to reach the district playoffs for the first time.
Mt. Spokane led by 10 points in the fourth quarter and made 8 of 10 shots. Despite 5-for-21 shooting, the Bears rallied to within a basket with 2 minutes left. Each team had three double-figures scorers, including CV’s Heidi Heintz, back from an ankle injury. Katelan Redmon of the Wildcats led all scorers with 16 points and teammate Leah Pomante added 14.
East Valley 39, Cheney 25
The Knights (9-9, 5-6) secured a 3A regional playoff berth with a win over the Blackhawks (3-15, 1-10) by limiting the visitors to eight field goals.
North Central 63, Rogers 33
The Indians (10-8, 3-8) parlayed a 20-1 second quarter to take the lead after trailing the visiting Pirates (0-18, 0-11) by nine points.
Shantel Haugen and Ashlee Michelson each scored 19 points for the winners and Michelson added nine rebounds. Rogers’ Denisha Whitehead and D’Erica Jones each scored 10.