U-Hi opener outcome anybody’s guess up to end

The end result for University’s football team was not dissimilar to last year’s season-opening loss to Lake City – 31-7 last season, 29-9 on Wednesday.

There were a couple of big differences, however. Unlike last year, when the Titans trailed 10-0 in the first quarter and 31-0 after three, the outcome this time was in doubt until a blocked punt with 6:14 left in the game turned the tide.

And this one marked the debut of U-Hi’s heralded sophomore class, three of whom had an impact in their varsity debuts.

Codee Allen, a 6-foot, 205-pound specimen, had a monster game at linebacker. Tom Peterson, a 230-pounder, ripped off two long, bullish gains while leading rushers with 41 yards on just four attempts.

Danny Jordan made his first start at quarterback, completing 13 of 24 passes for 104 yards, including a 54-yard strike to senior Mike Conrad that cut Lake City’s lead to 14-9 with 10:35 left in the game. Jordan completed his first eight passing attempts, mostly in short-yardage situations.

U-Hi controlled game tempo early, and the game was a 0-0 after a quarter when an inadvertent whistle nullified a Timberwolves touchdown on quarterback Garren Hammons’ fake that left no one in his vicinity and fooled even the officials.

Lake City did not score until 3:21 remained in the first half, a TD quickly answered by Titan Ken Wood‘s 30-yard field goal. The Timberwolves’ fourth-quarter score was answered less than a minute later by Jordan’s pass.

It left the outcome anybody’s guess, until the blocked punt led ultimately to two Lake City touchdowns in the game’s final five minutes.

OCB never said die

Trailing 6-0 in the championship game with only two innings remaining? No sweat for Valley Girls Softball team Old Country Buffet.

OCB (14-1) won the game 8-7 with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning and captured the 12U title, completing a 5-0 run through the league during the end-of-season tourney the first week of August.

“The first five innings, every time up, it was one-two-three,” said OCB coach Walt Edelin, whose team was on the losing end of a perfect game against Farrell’s Spray Services.

Farrell’s scored five times in the sixth to build a seemingly comfortable lead. But OCB countered with seven runs to take the lead, a lead that was short-lived.

After Farrell’s tied the game in the top of the seventh, Lindsey Gibson singled to open Old Country Buffet’s half of the inning. She was bunted to third and with two outs Amanda Hunt hit a single between shortstop and third base to win the game.

“The most impressive thing about the season is how well the girls worked together,” Edelin said of the South Pines/Bowdish schools team. “They came up with hits when needed. Even when the chips were down in the final game, they didn’t give up. I give them credit for that.”

Old Country Buffet had gone 9-1 during regular season and finished second in its division of the 18-team Valley softball league.

But they swept through the tournament, including wins over regular season unbeaten Kimmel Athletic and Farrell’s, winner of the other division.

Catcher Courtney Stewart led the team with a .565 batting average and five home runs. Sarah Bowden pitched, played shortstop and hit .477.

Eight players batted over .300 for the year, including third baseman-outfielder Kelsie Hogberg at .438 and second baseman and leadoff hitter Hunt at .429. Outfielder Autumn Seely, who hit .326, did not strike out all season.

Rounding out the team are third baseman Zoey Bowden (.364), pitcher-infielder-outfielder Kelsey Bergland (.357), second baseman-outfielder Audrianna Woods, outfielders Amy Schmidt, Bree Blackwood and Briana Koenig. Paul Bergland and Ron Seely were assistant coaches.

Grover wins golf title

Jill Grover and Sandy Mooney needed a playoff hole to determine the Liberty Lake Women’s 18-Hole Golf Club season championship.

But when all was said and done, Grover prevailed on the 37th hole of the tautly played championship playoff.

Jean Hatcher beat Gloria Cash to win first flight, Raouleen Grimes beat Debbie West in second flight and Alice Shattuck beat Donna Ogilvie in third flight.

Consolation medal play winners were Billie Etter with net 75 in first flight, Honey Conlon with net 77 in second and Marion Jordan with net 70 in third.

Allemand leads Painted Hills

During weekly Painted Hills Ladies League golf, Jeanne Allemand topped all comers.

Allemand shot low gross 45 in A flight where Sue Greany had net 36. B flight winner was Sammie Fletcher with 53 and Melody Chesnut netted 29.

C flight winners were Carol Schjodt with 56 and Nancy Wendleburg with net 34. Emma Long shot 60 in D flight and Cathy Esmay netted 36.

Dorothy Rausch had a chip-in on the fourth hole.

Rowley tops at Trailhead

Marcia Rowley swung the winning clubs during weekly Trailhead Ladies Club golf.

She shot 46 in A flight, three strokes better than Bobbie Parent‘s B flight winning 49. Grace Libby shot 62 in C flight and Mary Ann Evans had 56 in no-handicap.

Net winners were Deanna Hauser with 30 in A, Patty Haskins with 26 in B and Eileen Couper with 33 in C. Haskins had a chip-in.

Strauss back on top

Karen Strauss was the leader of the pack during weekly Liberty Lake Ladies 9-Hole Club golf play.

She shot 45 for low gross in A flight. Sadie Rueckert shot 56 in B, Kathy Camyn 60 in C and Shirley Byus 70 in D.

Net winners were Frances Martin with 35 in A flight, Janice Smith with 46 in B, Emma Long and Mary Ann Barham with 38s in C and Jean Skredsvig with 39 in D.

Hangman settles club title

Janet Skaife was winner of this year’s Hangman Valley Ladies Golf Club championship.

She defeated Sue Lightfoot for the title. Consolation winner was Kathy Theisen.

During most recent play, Jackie Shea won September’s leg of the Captain’s Cup with a net 67. Concurrent putting winners were Skaife with 29, Lightfoot and Gloria Cash with 30.

Rec programs set

Spokane County Parks and Recreation Department is offering fall coed volleyball leagues and a men’s Fall Classic basketball tournament.

Volleyball runs for six weeks beginning Sept. 23. Registration deadline is Friday. Cost is $250 for eight player teams.

The double-elimination five-on-five basketball tournament will begin Oct. 17 and continue through Nov. 18. Deadline for registration is Oct. 4.

Cost is $120 for six player teams with $10 each for additional players.

Contact www.spokanecounty.org/parks/data /recreation.asp, or call 477-4730 for volleyball and 477-4732 for basketball for further information.