NC victor; Rogers wins in new gym

The North Central Indians, with eight new players after finishing third in last year’s State 3A basketball tournament, continue to be the surprise of the Greater Spokane League.

But it wasn’t the only one on a night when Rogers, playing the inaugural game in its new gymnasium, defeated Mt. Spokane for its first win.

Meanwhile, unbeaten teams Ferris and Shadle Park continue on pace for Tuesday’s showdown between preseason league favorites, each with road victories Friday night.

NC’s Indians (3-1) defeated Central Valley (1-3) 54-49, hanging on in the final minute after the visiting Bears had cut a seven-point deficit to three. But David Butler hit a basket with 40 seconds remaining to secure the victory.

The Bears had no answer for NC’s star wing, Nick Rijon. The fourth-year varsity player led the way to victory with 23 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.

Central Valley finished with three players in double figures. Luke Clift scored 12 points, William Davis had 11 and J.C. Agen 10.

Rogers 47, Mt. Spokane 43: The Pirates (1-2) parlayed a great defensive first half into a seven-point lead and milked it for victory over the visiting Wildcats (1-2).

Rogers held Mt. Spokane to 18 first-half points and led by as many as nine before weathering a second-half rally by the Wildcats.

They tied the game at 43 before Jessie Vaughn hit a jump shot with 26 seconds left in the game.

The Pirates then made one last defensive stop and scored at the buzzer to win its first game in the new Ellingsen Athletic Center.

Zach Nelson led Rogers with 15 points, making four 3s.

Jordon Poynor and Ryan Selland scored 14 each, and Anthony Mendez had 11 for the Wildcats.

Ferris 66, University 54: The visiting Saxons (3-0) jumped on the Titans (1-2) in the first quarter and coasted to victory.

Ferris plays again today at 2 p.m., at home against Mead.

Ferris led 22-8 after the first quarter and finished with four double-figure scorers and nearly a fifth.

Erick Cheadle hit two 3-pointers and was 6 for 7 from the free-throw line to finish with 16 points. Jeff Minnerly added 15 and had nine rebounds, while Shawn Stockton and Beau Brett each scored 11 points. Jared Karstetter, meanwhile, scored nine points and hauled down 10 rebounds.

For U-Hi, Andrew Pirttima and Tyler Olson each scored 13.

Shadle Park 69, East Valley 55: The Highlanders (3-0) tuned up for Tuesday’s showdown at Ferris. But they had to rally from a first-quarter deficit by going on a 24-10 second-quarter run.

For the second straight game, Aaron Dunn’s inside presence proved the difference. Shadle was torrid from the floor, making 27 field goals, including 7 3-pointers, on 64 percent shooting.

Dunn scored 16 points to lead four Shadle players in double figures. Sophomore Robby Douglas had 13 points with three 3-pointers, Zack Humphrey added 12 and Anthony Brown 11.

The Knights (0-3) shot 52 percent from the field and Trevor Slocum scored 15 points with three 3-pointers.