Much still to be decided in GSL

When Lewis and Clark and University scheduled their unbeaten girls basketball teams to play their season-ending game Thursday while the remainder of the Greater Spokane League finishes tonight, it was planned as a fitting showcase between two of the state’s finest teams.

But there’s no guarantee it will be the GSL finale. There is still the chance for as many as three 4A tiebreaker games – two boys, one girls – Friday in a league that won’t go quietly.

Tonight’s outcomes of several games on both the boys and girls fronts will also affect 3A district tournament seeding.

Gonzaga and University boys share second place with 9-3 records and must play it off for the automatic regional berth if they remain tied. The Titans host LC and G-Prep is at Cheney.

Four other 4A boys schools – Mead, Mt. Spokane, Shadle Park and CV – are vying for the three remaining district berths.

And three 3A boys schools – NC, Cheney and Clarkston – are tied, their seeding to be determined tonight.

All seven have 6-6 league records.

The Highlanders play at Mt. Spokane, the winner advancing. If either the Bears, Panthers or both lose, there would be a playoff for sixth.

Any three-way ties – and there still could be for first, fourth and fifth places – will be broken first by head-to-head or quality wins criteria.

Boys playoff(s), if necessary, will be at Central Valley.

Ferris’ loss to Shadle Park on Friday created a tie for sixth with Mead among GSL girls. If both the Panthers and Saxons, who entertain Rogers, win tonight, they play for the final GSL district spot at University at 7 p.m.

The Titans and Tigers, both 19-0 and ranked among the state’s top three girls teams, are assured first and second places and regional berths.

Gonzaga Prep is third, Mt. Spokane and Central Valley will either be fourth or fifth.

District playoffs begin Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the gyms of the third- and fourth-seeded teams. The boys tournament concludes at CV and the girls tournament finishes at U-Hi on Thursday and Friday of next week.

Four of five GSL boys and girls 3A teams will play their district tournament this week. Third-place hosts fourth place on Thursday in a loser out game. Three remaining teams play for regional seeding Friday and Saturday at Mt. Spokane.

Any ties will be broken by head-to-head season outcomes.

West Valley (9-3) is the No. 1 seed among boys and hosts Clarkston in its finale. The Bantams hold any tiebreaker upper hand.

East Valley and Clarkston are assured of the top two seeds in the girls district tourney, although either could be the No. 1 seed, and will play Friday at 6 p.m.

NC is third and WV is fourth based on its season win over Cheney, unless it loses to the Bantams and the Blackhawks upset the Bullpups.