Prep Watch: LC’s Alex Shaw gives impressive performance
Shaw impresses
Oct. 31: During last week’s Gonzaga Prep-Lewis and Clark football game, opposing coaches raved about the efforts of Tiger Alex Shaw‘s first game at tailback.
Despite the 26-7 loss, Shaw, one of the best defenders in the Greater Spokane League and usually a fullback on offense, carried 10 times for 55 yards.
He was prime mover on LC’s 80-yard, five-minute TD drive in the third quarter. His ability to find a cut through holes was what most impressed the press box spectators.
The Thursday loss put LC’s playoff hopes in jeopardy, but the team got a reprieve when Central Valley beat University. Friday night the Tigers (5-3) travel against Columbia Basin League champion Pasco in a state preliminary game, and Shaw may get another crack at the position.
“Alex played well at tailback,” said coach Tom Yearout. “Hopefully we can give him a rest on defense so he can continue to get carries. We’re excited to have a chance to go play at Pasco and compete against one of the state’s best programs.”
Gonzaga Prep (8-1 overall, 8-0 in the GSL) plays at home against Eisenhower (7-2), and Ferris (8-1, 7-1) plays Moses Lake (6-3) at Joe Albi Stadium at 1 p.m. in other preliminary games.
Columbia Basin offenses moved the football better than those in the GSL. Yardages ran anywhere from 470 to 1,287 yards more than their GSL playoff foes. GSL defenses allowed between 402 and 1,174 fewer yards than their CBL foes.
Playoff games are part of an 11-game 10th-week series between the GSL and CBL.
“I think the crossover between leagues is a great idea,” said Yearout. “It gives every team a meaningful end of the year game against a new opponent.”
Volleyball regionals
Oct. 30: The pairings are set for Greater Spokane League and Columbia Basin League volleyball regional tournaments.
The 4A regionals are in Spokane this weekend, at Mead and Mt. Spokane high schools. On Friday, district champion Mead plays Eisenhower, second-place LC plays Walla Walla, Gonzaga Prep plays CBL regular-
season champion Richland and Shadle Park plays district champ Wenatchee.
Wenatchee defeated Richland for the CBL district title after finishing second to the Bombers during regular season
The 3A is in Kennewick, GSL District champion Mt. Spokane and CBL district champ Hanford earning first-round byes. GSL No. 2 North Central will face Southridge in a first-round game.
GSL soccer status
Oct. 27: Mead is in state, and Ferris hosts Pasco on Saturday to determine whether it goes.
The Panthers’ 3-2 shootout win over Ferris last week assured them a state berth. They will travel Saturday to Richland, 1 p.m. against the CBL top-seeded Bombers to determine who is the No. 1 or No. 2 state tournament entrant.
The Saxons play the Bulldogs at Albi Stadium, Saturday, 5 p.m. for the third berth and first-round state match against our regional champion.
Ferris (8-2 in league, 12-4 overall) and Mead (9 -1, 13-1-2) tied for first place in the Greater Spokane League this year with 25 points each.
Points are based on three points for regulation win, two for shootout win and one for shootout loss. The Saxons were seeded No. 1 for district purposes by virtue of their early-season win over the Panthers.
Not that it really mattered, since both automatically advanced to the district finale. Mead turned the tables in the marathon shootout match.