Win puts CV closer to playoffs

Central Valley wrestlers on Wednesday took a major step toward a fourth straight appearance in the Greater Spokane League high school championship final four playoffs.

The Bears defeated Mead 35-30 and need only one victory to assure themselves second place, at least, in the American Division of the league.

CV, East Valley, University and Clarkston have been staples of the championship quad playoffs since the divisional concept began in 2003.

The Knights won the first two, and the Titans were champions last year. The Bears have finished third the last two seasons.

Key to CV’s victory over the Panthers was Nick Cambron‘s 4-3 victory over previous league unbeaten Philip Smith at 112 pounds.

Cambron, a 103-pounder who has reached the finals of three invitational tournaments, has been wrestling up a weight class during the GSL season.

Important also were victories by Nick Severns at 171 and Tyler Cochran at 189.

East Valley (5-0) wrestles at Mead (4-1) on Wednesday. A Knight victory clinches their fourth straight divisional title. Should the Panthers win the division would likely end in a three-way tie, including the Bears.

If the Bears (4-1) finish second in the Division it would mean two straight matches against district rival University — in the annual Battle of the Bone at U-Hi next Thursday and then again in the first round of the league championship duals a week later.

The Titans (5-0) will be at North Central (3-2) on Wednesday, expecting to complete an unbeaten National Division title.

EV is in Kelso this weekend for a tournament that showcases the state’s best 3A schools. The Bears and Titans are in Missoula for the Rocky Mountain Classic.

West Valley (1-5) completed its division schedule with a 43-23 loss to Lewis and Clark.

Three of the Eagles losses this year were by eight or fewer points.

The Tigers wrestle Clarkston Wednesday for second in the National Division. WV this weekend is competing in the River City Duals at Post Falls.

CV’s Lucas Chesher, Camren Ebat and Jeff Croskrey remained unbeaten in league. Nick Walker has one loss, when he competed up two weights.

University has used 28 different wrestlers, 16 of them unbeaten, while compiling a perfect GSL record. Among them are Mike Malsam, Chase Fish, Craig Byers, Trevor Robb and Dono Totten.

East Valley has eight unbeaten wrestlers including Tyler Jolley, James Martin, Clete Hanson, Matt Melbrech, Anthony Rivera and Kyle Hunter.

West Valley’s Tim Pring lost for the first time this year, 9-7 to LC’s Colton Yeigh on Wednesday. Other successful Eagles have been Tyler Brischle, Jesse Swenson, Justin Fiman, Zach Thomas and Michael White. None are seniors.

Titans win meet

University’s 162.9-152.5 victory over rival Central Valley in GSL gymnastics has moved it into a second-place tie with the Bears.

Next week the Titans (3-1 in league) face North Central (2-1) and Shadle Park (3-2) in league counters that will determine whether they remain there.

Kayla McGahey scored 35.425 all-around to beat Maya Morgan’s 34.15 and Titan Janelle Hoffmeister was third over Bears Courtney Sexton and Melissa Huffey.

McGahey won uneven bars and beam. Sexton won floor exercise and Morgan won vault.

Scoring leaders

Heading into next week’s Greater Spokane League basketball games, nine Spokane Valley athletes are scoring in double figures.

Leading the way are Central Valley’s Heidi Heintz, whose 20.3 average tops GSL girls, and East Valley’s Dylan Sattin, whose 18.6 average is tied for the boys lead.

University’s girls have four double figures scorers led by Dara Zack at 13.8 points per game in eight games. Jana Erickson (12.3), Tonya Schnibbe (11.3) and Angie Bjorklund (13.3 in three games) are the others.

West Valley’s boys have three in double figures, Tyler Hobbs (15.3), E.J. Richardson (14.5) and Greg Bradley (12.0).

Freeman’s boys, (7-4, 0-1 in league) lost to Kettle Falls in their Northeast A opener. Sophomore DeAngelo Casto leads scoring with a 17.6 average.

The Scotties girls (10-1, 1-0) continue to be led by Jessie DePell (18.5) and Claire Moberg (12.0).

Valley Christian (7-3, 5-3) lost last week to Liberty (7-2, 6-2) 66-50 in a Bi-County game. Vitaliy Kozubenko (16.0) and Josh Pope (15.3) are scoring leaders.

The Panthers girls (1-9, 1-7) also lost to Liberty (8-1, 7-1) at home. Lexie Riggan (10.3) leads the offense.