Titans shooting turns cold in loss

Cold shooting following a quick early start undid the University Titans in their bid to remain atop Greater Spokane League high school boys basketball.

The Titans got strong, early inside play from Calvin Jurich and Nate Thompson and a couple of 3-point baskets to lead 12-5 in the first quarter of its home game Thursday against Gonzaga Prep.

Then things went south in the 55-51 loss.

Thompson scored the team’s only second-quarter field goal and the Titans made just one basket in the first five minutes of the third quarter to fall behind 35-26.

Though they closed to within a point, 41-40, early in the final quarter they didn’t score a basket until 2:35 remained. Gonzaga made just 6 of 14 free throws in the game’s final 3:42, but U-Hi couldn’t fully take advantage.

“They got too many second opportunities,” said Marty Jessett. “I told our players that was going to be the difference.”

It was the end of the second quarter, when Gonzaga wiped out a six-point deficit to tie the game 20-20 and the beginning of the third, when the Bullpups outscored University 15-4, that decided the outcome, said Jessett.

Prep hit three open 3-point baskets – two by Brandon Kennedy and another by Travis Walker – that proved vital.

“We did a terrible job of finding their shooters, then when we do find them we don’t get to the other guys,” Jessett said. “And Gonzaga did a good job of pressuring our guards.”

U-Hi shot just 33 percent from the field on its home court and team scoring leader Jurich took only eight shots against a shorter team, making five. He scored 13 points but is averaging 17.3 for the season. Inderbir Gil, who had 15 points in the second half against Prep, is averaging 15.9.

The Titans finished the first week of GSL play 1-1 and are 6-3 overall. Central Valley’s new-look Bears (7-1, and who hosted Cheney on Friday), continued their surprising season with a 53-46 road win in Clarkston, breaking a tie after three quarters. Scoring leader Braden Jensen had 14 points and Tommy Kadoya 10.

West Valley was the GSL’s only unbeaten at 8-0 after holding off Mt. Spokane 44-41 on Tuesday. The Eagles were at high-scoring North Central on Friday. Three players, Tyler Hobbs (14.4), E.J. Richardson (11.1) and Arton Toussaint (10.5) continue to average in double figures.

East Valley was outscored by eight points in the fourth quarter of a 77-66 loss to Ferris. The Knights were at Shadle Park on Friday. Dylan Sattin came out of a sick bed to play and scored 10 points, though below his team-leading 16.3 average. Nick Atwood (14.2), Jye Lanphere (13.0) and Jared Smith (12.6) are also averaging double figures for the high-scoring Knights.

Wild game in Clarkston

A most amazing second half of play marked Central Valley girls basketball’s important 73-68 road win in Clarkston.

The Bantams led 28-22 following a conventional first half and then things got crazy. CV scored the first 15 points of the third quarter and 29 all told to Clarkston’s eight and led 51-36. Clarkston rallied with a 32-point fourth quarter, but CV scored 22 and hung on.

Heidi Heintz scored a career high 31 points and Tracy Goehri added 10 for the Bears (6-2 overall).

University remained unbeaten after nine games, but Thursday’s 55-43 win against Gonzaga Prep wasn’t artistic. Every time the Titans threatened to pull away, the visitors rallied back.

A 20-7 first-half lead melted to seven midway through the second quarter before U-Hi took a 31-17 halftime lead. A 39-19 lead in the third quarter was just 41-36 before U-Hi finished off the game 55-43 with a 14-5 Bjorklund sisters-fueled run.

Between them they had 21 of U-Hi’s 31 first-half points. Jami Bjorklund, averaging 21.0 points per game in the GSL, wound up with 25 and Angie Bjorklund had 16 of U-Hi’s 55 total.

Both East Valley (4-4) and West Valley (0-8) lost Tuesday GSL openers, the Knights 53-48 to Ferris and the Eagles 61-37 to Mt. Spokane.

Big mat win for CV

Central Valley’s wrestling team took a necessary step if it is to return to the GSL end-of-season championship quad matches.

The Bears defeated previously unbeaten Mead Thursday 40-26. The host Panthers were coming off an emotional 34-33 win over Mt. Spokane the night before.

CV had several key wins, including by Nick Cambron at 103, Joe Alderman at 145 and Garrett McCoy at 119. But it took pins in the last two matches, by Lucas Chesher (130) and Jeff Croskrey (135) to assure the triumph.

Both teams are 3-1 and tied for second behind 4-0 East Valley in the American Division. The Knights host the Panthers next Wednesday and CV hosts Mt. Spokane a week later, leaving the possibility of a three-way second-place tie.

The top two teams from each of two divisions within the league square off for a shot at the GSL title. University (4-0) leads the National Division over Clarkston (3-1), a team the Titans have already beaten.

County programs offered

Registrations are being accepted through Feb. 17 for a Spring Coed “6’s” Volleyball League and Feb. 28 for the March Madness five-on-five men’s basketball tournament, both sponsored by Spokane County Parks and Recreation.

Volleyball will begin March 4 and last six weeks, followed by a single elimination tournament. Cost is $250 for an eight-player team.

The March Madness tourney will begin March 14 with the championship coming before April 1. Cost is $150 per team and guarantees two games.

For information, call 477-4730 or go to www.spokanecounty.org/parks /data/recreation.asp.