Quick hits
LOOKING AHEAD
In a 13-game league basketball schedule, the importance of individual wins and losses is seemingly magnified. But it all depends on a team’s goals.
For the Greater Spokane League schools that expect to battle for a league title, any loss could be fatal, especially to a team well down in the standings. For schools that set their goals differently – making the district playoffs, for example – the pressure is different but often just as intense.
Take Friday’s matchup between West Valley and Cheney’s boys. WV is tied atop the GSL standings with Ferris, which it faces Tuesday. A loss to their 3A rival could derail their title hopes. Cheney will not win the GSL this year, but the Blackhawks are battling for better seeding in the District 8 3A playoffs. A win over the Eagles would go a long way in ensuring a top finish among the 3A schools.
Friday night’s other big battle is for the Stinky Sneaker, with Central Valley traveling to University for the Valley’s big-school spirit game.
Basketball
GSL games
Friday
Girls games at 5:45, boys games at 7:30: West Valley at Cheney; Ferris at Gonzaga Prep; East Valley at Mt. Spokane; Shadle Park at Rogers. Girls game at 5:30, boys game at 7:30: Central Valley at University. Boys game at 5:45 p.m., girls game at 7:30: Lewis and Clark at Mead. Non-league, girls game at 6 p.m., boys game at 8 p.m.: Clarkston vs. Lewiston at Lewis-Clark State.
Saturday
Boys game at 5:45 p.m., girls game at 7:30: North Central at Clarkston.
Tuesday
Girls game at 5:45 p.m., boys game at 7:30: Mt. Spokane at Rogers. Boys games at 5:45 p.m., girls games at 7:30: Mead at Central Valley; West Valley at Ferris; East Valley at Lewis and Clark; Cheney at North Central; Gonzaga Prep at Shadle Park; Clarkston at University.
Wrestling
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Mt. Spokane at Central Valley; West Valley at University; Ferris at East Valley; Lewis and Clark at Gonzaga Prep; Shadle Park at Mead; North Central at Rogers.
Gymnastics
Tonight, 6:30 p.m.
Mead, Rogers, Lakeside at University.
Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
University, Lewis and Clark and Shadle Park at North Central.
LOOKING AROUND
The Washington State Football Coaches Association will induct four coaches into its Hall of Fame Saturday night in Bellevue, including longtime Cheney head coach Tom Oswald. Oswald, who retired in 2002 after posting a 167-90-7 record in his high school career, will be joined in the class of 2005 by three current coaches: Puyallup’s Tom Ingles, who won state titles with Kentwood and Liberty of Issaquah; Mercer Island’s Dick Nicholls; and Omak’s Gary Smith, who led the Pioneers to the state title in 1979. Oswald’s Cheney teams finished second in state twice and he coached future pros Steve Emtman and Rick DeMulling. … Mead’s Rachael Schurman was named to the PrepVolleyball.com All-American team for the second consecutive year. … Ferris has Taylor Yonago back on the wrestling mat, but the Saxons are still without his older brother, Kyle. Taylor broke his ankle while playing soccer and did not begin wrestling competition until last week, with a GSL dual victory and Saturday’s fifth-place finish in the Pacific Northwest Classic tournament. Kyle, the defending State 4A 140-pound champion, broke his hand in practice following his win in the Inland Empire Classic tournament in early December. Coach Tim Owen said he’s hopeful Kyle can come back by the district tournament the first week of February. “Our team never had one injury last year,” Owen said. “We’re making up for it this year.”…. LC wrestler Nate Powell, second at 125 pounds in the PNW, was lauded by meet officials for performing a good deed. A woman lost her checkbook, which also had $200 in it. He found it under the bleachers and returned it to the scorer’s table. … With Tuesday’s 58-45 victory over North Central, Mt. Spokane’s girls are off to the best start (9-1) in school history. It’s also, said coach Jeanne Helfer, an unselfish 10-player group. “This team doesn’t care who scores,” she said. “I thought we had a solid effort (against NC) of finding open people early.”