Highlanders work overtime to claim final playoff spot, eliminate Wildcats

Shadle Park completed the field for next week’s District 8 4A girls basketball playoffs, but it took overtime to do so while dashing the similar hopes of Mt. Spokane.

The Highlanders (12-8, 7-6) won 58-55, rallying from 12-point first-half deficit to claim the sixth and final district berth Tuesday at Shadle.

They will be at either Mead or Lewis and Clark on Tuesday in a loser-out, winner-to-regional game. The season has ended for the plucky Wildcats (8-12, 5-8) who, despite a season beset by trials, nearly became part of a three-way tie for sixth place.

They tied the game with 9 seconds left on ice-water free-throw shots by Sam Patrick, and just missed a tying 3-point shot at overtime’s end.

“These kids gave everything they had,” said Wildcats coach Jeanne Helfer. “No one thought they’d go as far as they did. I’m proud of them.”

For a quarter-plus the Wildcats couldn’t miss, building an early 22-10 lead. Patrick, who scored 10 points in the first quarter, was a big part of it.

“I was thinking ‘Oh, my goodness,’ ” said Shadle coach Chad Dezellem. “That’s a much improved team out there. You have to give them a lot of credit.”

But Shadle worked its way back into the game, and trailed 26-25 just before half. The advantage came from a nine-point differential in 3-pointers and free throws. Shadle was 18 for 24 for the game from the line and committed just eight fouls to Mt. Spokane’s 21. The Wildcats hit all seven of their free-throw attempts, but never reached the bonus.

Seldom-scoring Shadle senior Katija Margitich came up big in the third quarter with five points, including a half-opening 3-pointer that tied the game, and five rebounds to give Shadle momentum.

Dezellem said that Margitich always does the little, but vital, things that often go unnoticed in a game.

“Defense for me is my favorite part of the game by far, and rebounding is so important,” Margitich said. “We were fighting for our lives out there.”

Season scoring leaders Lexi Bishop (24 points) and Lexie Pettersen (15) were also huge down the stretch.

Because of that, Shadle, in its return to postseason after a year’s absence, is assured its first winning season since 2000.

“It’s a privilege to play in the GSL with so much talent,” said Dezellem. “At the same time we’re not just happy to be in the playoffs. We want to go as far as we can.”

In the league’s final regular-season game, LC (11-1, 18-1) is host to University (11-1, 16-3) Thursday at 7:30 p.m. to sort out the order of the top four placers.

Gonzaga Prep 63, Cheney 35: The Bullpups (18-2, 13-1) earned a share of the league title and automatic berth in regionals. They rallied from a 21-7 deficit at home to win going away against the Blackhawks (7-13, 3-10) in the second half. G-Prep point guard Corrina O’Brien finished with 17 points.

Mead 62, East Valley 55: The Panthers (16-4, 11-2) assured themselves a tie for third place after outscoring the visiting Knights (8-12, 4-9) 20-6 in the third quarter. Mead’s Megan Thigpen had 10 rebounds and scored a season-high 13 points as one of three players in double figures. Kelsey Hentges led all scorers with 21 for EV.

Central Valley 72, North Central 55: All five seniors scored during the fifth-place Bears’ (13-7, 9-4) 31-point first quarter. But it was sophomore Justine Bowman’s career-high 22 that did in the visiting Indians (4-16, 2-10). Ashlee Michelson scored 19 for NC.

Ferris 56, Rogers 39: The visiting Saxons (9-11, 6-7) ended their season victorious, thanks to a 24-4 third-quarter burst. The Pirates (2-18, 0-13) finished winless in league.

Clarkston 63, West Valley 28: The host Bantams (11-9, 7-6) cruised behind Misty Atkinson’s 25 points. She was 8 for 15 from the field, 8 for 8 from the free-throw line and had 10 rebounds. The Eagles (3-17, 2-11) play NC tonight at CV at 7 for the fourth District 8 3A girls playoff berth.

Boys

Central Valley 66, North Central 61: The co-fifth-place Bears (15-5, 9-4) denied the Indians (17-3, 11-2) a share of the league title with their upset home victory. A hot start on offense, keyed by Luke Clift and Brad Johnson, put CV up by seven points at half. The Bears minimized Damal Neil inside and nursed the early advantage to the end. Clift and Johnson each scored 16 points and Johnson had eight rebounds.

Gonzaga Prep 59, Cheney 36: The Bullpups (17-3, 12-1) assured themselves of a tie for first place and will be seeded No. 1 in District 8 playoffs next week following their home victory. Houston Stockton led the way with 17 points. District 3A play is next for the Blackhawks (6-14, 4-9).

Ferris 78, Rogers 54: The Saxons (20-1, 12-1) made 8 of 12 3-pointers to share the championship. Jace Mattinson had three from beyond the arc and finished with 19 points. Scotty Livengood scored 22 for the host Pirates (7-13, 3-10).

West Valley 68, Clarkston 43: Tyler Hobbs continued his MVP-type season, scoring 29 points for the Eagles (16-4, 10-3) to unofficially win the GSL scoring title. He has averaged 28 points per game over the last four games and finishes with 338 and an 18.8 average. The host Bantams finished 1-19, 0-13.

Shadle Park 57, Mt. Spokane 43: The teams will play again at Shadle Tuesday in district. The Highlanders (13-7, 9-4) are No. 3 seed, the Wildcats (11-9, 6-7), No. 6. Zack Humphrey and Josh Landsverk of Shadle divided 30 points to offset Matt Dorr’s 19.

Mead 72, East Valley 55: The Panthers (9-11, 7-6) got 20 points from Ben Loewen and 18 from Nick Harter in a home primer for next week’s district playoffs. Dylan Sattin scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half for the Knights (4-16, 1-12).

Lewis and Clark 64, University 60: Rebounding and T.J. Lee-Hill led the Tigers (5-15, 4-9). They had a 34-20 advantage on the boards and Lee-Hill hit 4 of 5 3-pointers for 21 points. Sophomore Tyler Olson had 19 points for the visiting Titans (6-15, 3-10).