Neil, NC surprise Ferris
Wild and crazy Greater Spokane League boys basketball took another turn Friday when visiting North Central, buoyed by the return from injury of post Damal Neil, shocked Ferris 69-64 on Wayne Gilman Court.
The loss, coupled with Mead’s 62-51 setback in Clarkston, left Gonzaga Prep alone in first place in the league. Five other teams, including Ferris and Mead, share second place, one game back. Four teams are another game back.
Neil, who had missed seven games with a broken finger, scored 11 points in his return. More important, he gave the team an inside presence – pulling down eight rebounds – that had been lacking during his absence.
NC (5-8, 2-4) had lost six of seven games without him in the lineup.
Not much separated the teams during the game. NC trailed 30-27 at the half, but outscored Ferris (10-3, 4-2) 19-14 for the lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The score was tied in the closing minutes, when the game ultimately came down to free throws. The Indians made 10 of 10 in the fourth quarter, while the Saxons missed several down the stretch.
Ferris’Jeremy Templeton had a season-high 27 points and added five rebounds.
Louis Hurd maintained a hot hand for the Indians with 22 points, one of three NC players to finish in double figures.
University 60, Cheney 41
Second-year Titans coach Marty Jessett got his first victory over his alma mater, in Cheney. U-Hi (9-4, 4-2) took advantage of 18 turnovers by the Blackhawks (7-6, 3-3), had a 10-1 offensive rebounding edge in the first half, and stopped everyone on defense but Derek Miller in grabbing the pivotal victory. Last year, Cheney handily defeated the Titans twice, winning by an average of 17 points a game. But U-Hi turned the tables. Calvin Jurich had his way inside with 24 points and two other Titans, Kyle Olson and Inderbir Gil, finished in double figures. League scoring leader Miller had 21 points as the main threat for the Blackhawks.
Gonzaga Prep 62, Rogers 46
Ian Perry, in his second game back since missing four, didn’t miss a shot in leading the Bullpups (9-4, 5-1) past the visiting Pirates (1-12, 0-6). Perry made all six of his field-goal attempts and was 3 for 3 from the free-throw line. Three G-Prep players scored in double figures. Scotty Livengood scored 18 for Rogers.
Mt. Spokane 61, LC 44
Trailing 15-13, the Wildcats (7-6, 4-2) ran off 13 straight in the latter stages of the second quarter and were never seriously challenged thereafter by the visiting Tigers (4-8, 2-4). Matt Dorr scored 10 of his game-high 26 points as Mt. Spokane pulled away in the fourth quarter.
West Valley 59, Shadle Park 54
The host Eagles (11-2, 4-2) trailed by a point with 1:48 remaining before junior Greg Bradley hit his fourth 3-pointer of the night and junior post Tyler Hobbs, who scored 23, finished off the win by making 3 of 4 free throws. Sophomore Leo Avila and freshman Zack Humphrey led the Highlanders (5-8, 3-3) with 14 points apiece.
Clarkston 62, Mead 51
The host Bantams (6-7, 3-3) went on a 21-11 fourth-quarter run to break open what had been a close game with the Panthers (7-6, 4-2). First one team, then the other, led after each quarter of the first half. Mead cut Clarkston’s advantage to 41-40 after three quarters, but only got to the free-throw line seven times, while Clarkston was 16 for 26 in the game. Ryan Turnbow scored 22 points, including three 3-pointers for the victors.