GSL basketball: Ferris boys win late

A game that lived up to its advanced billing went Ferris’ way at the end as two unbeaten Greater Spokane League basketball heavyweights gave it all they had.

In a game of runs, the Saxons (5-0) ran off nine points in a row down the stretch Tuesday night at home to remain perfect with a 71-66 win over the Shadle Park Highlanders.

Shadle (3-1) couldn’t keep the Ferris guards out of the paint and played catch-up from the get-go as a result.

The Highlanders trailed 10-2 just 3 minutes into the contest and by as many as a dozen points (41-29) in the first minute of the third quarter, as Jeff Minnerly, Erick Cheadle and Shawn Stockton repeatedly went to the hoop.

But a 29-16 run to midway through the final quarter put Shadle ahead 58-57 before a couple of clutch baskets near the top of the key by Saxons post Beau Brett helped Ferris recover.

“They’re solid,” said Ferris coach Don Van Lierop after telling his players in the locker room that they did a good job of keeping their composure. “I have to give it to our guys. They made adjustments on the fly out there.”

Four Ferris players finished with double-digit scoring.

Minnerly was unstoppable in the first half, taking it to the hoop for four baskets and hitting a 3-pointer for a dozen points by intermission. He didn’t score again until the game’s final minute, but the four points he got kept Shadle at bay.

“We ran a lot in the first half and got inside early,” Minnerly said. “Austin Hayes started guarding me in the second half and did a good job. Then Erick and Shawn got some post-ups.”

Cheadle had two first-half 3-pointers, was 6 for 8 at the line in the second half and finished with a team-high 18 points.

Stockton, who came out firing at game’s outset, hit a big pull-up jumper near the end of the third quarter after Shadle rallied to within a point.

“I knew I couldn’t get to the rim because they were waiting for a charge, so it was stop and pop,” said Stockton, who contributed 16 points.

That was followed by Brett’s top-of-the-key jumper at the buzzer. He duplicated the shot to put Ferris ahead 62-58 with 2:29 remaining in the game.

“He’s been practicing that,” said Van Lierop, who also praised his post defense against bigger, burlier Highlander Aaron Dunn.

“Beau did what Beau’s supposed to do. He’s rugged in there.”

Jared Karstetter added 14 points in the win.

Shadle got as close as a point in the first quarter before Minnerly and Cheadle hit late back-to-back 3-pointers.

The Highlanders mounted a charge thanks to better rebounding and more output from Anthony Brown. Sophomore Robby Douglas scored 14 of his game-high 21 points in the second half. Brown and Dunn combined for 15 of their 29 in the second half as well.

“We got off to a slow start, but the kids battled back,” said Shadle coach Tim Gaebe. “It was a good game.”

Central Valley 68, Rogers 60

: Greg Barnes scored 10 first-half points for the Bears (2-3), who hit 10 of 13 free throws down the stretch to edge the Pirates (1-3). William Davis had a big fourth quarter and finished with 14 points. Zach Nelson had 14 and Daniel Anderson 13 for Rogers.

Lewis and Clark 54, East Valley 42: Trailing at halftime, the Tigers (1-0) took command in the second half of their season debut. Alex Gauper scored 15 points to lead the way and Sean Hoffman added 11. Dany Marshall scored 11 for the visiting Knights (0-4).

Mt. Spokane 49, Mead 42: The visiting Wildcats (2-2) never led until a basket by Connor Haley with 1:54 left in the game. The fact Mt. Spokane was 20 for 22 from the free-throw line loomed large. Ryan Selland was 12 for 12 and finished with 18 points. He had been 4 for 8 from the line coming in. Ryane Laforte scored 14 for Mead (1-3).

Gonzaga Prep 75, University 52: Ryan Nicholas scored 19 points and had 12 rebounds as the Bullpups (2-1) roared to a 45-24 halftime lead. G-Prep shot 54 percent from the field, while the host Titans (1-3) shot 32 percent.

Girls

Central Valley 85, Rogers 32: The unbeaten Bears (5-0) led 22-0 after a quarter at home and limited the Pirates (0-4) to 12 points through three quarters. Four CV players were in double figures: Justine Bowman (18), Loree Hill (14), Mallory Flesher (13) and Lindsey Gigler (11). Brooklynn Smith scored 10 for the visiting Pirates.

Lewis and Clark 54, East Valley 25: The Tigers (5-0) won methodically at home, leading 17-5 after a quarter and adding to it each remaining period. Brittany Kennedy and Jeneva Anderson scored 11 points each and Kennedy had 12 rebounds and four assists. Kelsi Jacobson scored 14 for the Knights (0-4).

Shadle Park 57, Ferris 42: The host Saxons (0-5) gave the Highlanders (3-1) all they could handle. But Shadle, which led only by three points after three quarters, outscored Ferris 14-2 over the final 8 minutes. Lexie Pettersen finished the game with 21 points to lead the Highlanders. Liz Boyden scored 16 and had eight rebounds for Ferris.

Mead 48, Mt. Spokane 39: The improved Wildcats (3-2) challenged the host Panthers (4-1), but could never quite catch them after falling behind by four points after a quarter. Christina Puthoff scored 14 points for Mead, and Korina Baker had 10 for Mt. Spokane.

University 52, Gonzaga Prep 33: The Titans (3-2) outscored the visiting Bullpups (1-3) 15-6 in the second quarter for a 10-point cushion at halftime cruised to the victory. Zoe Scott led scoring with 17 points and Riki Schiermeister scored 10 points. Each pulled down six rebounds. G-Prep had no double figures scorers.