GSL girls basketball: LC wins clash of unbeatens
A quick start gave Lewis and Clark a cushion and the Tigers’ depth took care of the details as foul-troubled LC remained unbeaten.
They parlayed the early defense into a 54-40 win over visiting Central Valley, handing the Bears their first loss on Tuesday in Greater Spokane League girls basketball at Squinty Hunter Field House.
LC (7-0) led 13-0 barely 3 minutes into the contest, which proved to be enough. But 17 personal fouls sent the Bears (6-1) to the free-throw line 24 times in the opening half, enabling the visitors to hang around.
“We shot ourselves in the foot,” said a disgruntled Tigers coach Jim Redmon. “The referees called the game tight and we didn’t adjust and caused ourselves troubles.”
They weren’t too troubled early, forcing nine first-period turnovers, several of which contributed to the early 13-point advantage. Junior Jeneva Anderson and do-it-all star Brittany Kennedy combined for nine of the those points.
By the time CV adjusted, the hole was too big to climb out of. The Bears scored on three first-half field goals, missing several shots around the basket and finished 14 for 24 from the line in the half.
They got as close as 35-27 in the third quarter on a pair of baskets by Kelsey Matthews. But in a matter of seconds, Emily Travis popped in a 3-pointer and scored off an in-bound steal to make the score 42-37.
CV never responded.
“She’s done that before,” said Redmon, noting that it was similar to what she accomplished a year ago during an LC victory over University.
“The flow was working for us, our press was working,” said Travis of the effort.
Because so many Tigers were saddled with multiple first-half fouls, it took two teams worth of players to protect the early lead. Seven scored in the first half, including Kennedy, who had a game-high 14 before departing with 4:09 remaining because of cramping. Travis scored seven of her 10 points in the second half and Anderson finished with nine.
Central Valley’s Justine Bowman scored 14 points as well, eight of them on free throws. Matthews, who had two second-half 3-pointers, totaled 12.
“I’m happy with the win, but didn’t think we shot well tonight,” said Redmon. “We were too impatient.”
Redmon credited the Bears, and the vision of Bowman, who moved the ball to several different targets and made CV difficult to guard.
Mead 61, Gonzaga Prep 39: The Panthers (6-1) earned a share of second place with their comfortable win in the Bullpups’ gym. Eleven Mead players scored, led by Jazmine Redmon (14 points) and Beth Altena (nine). Gonzaga Prep (2-4) trailed by just nine points in the fourth quarter before the Panthers pulled away.
Shadle Park 59, North Central 32: The Highlanders (5-1), playing home games at Spokane Falls CC, jumped to a 14-4 first-quarter lead and was never tested. Bianca Pope had 12 points, 14 rebounds and six steals for Shadle. Andrea DePaolo had 13 points for the Indians (1-5).
Ferris 42, East Valley 34: The visiting Saxons (1-5) picked up their first win and kept the Knights (0-6) winless. Amber Quann had nine points and 11 rebounds. Hailey Dahlstrom pulled down 10 rebounds. Kelsi Jacobson scored a game-high 15 points for EV.
University 52, Rogers 21: Kasey Jurich scored 11 points in leading the Titans (4-3) past the host Pirates (0-5). U-Hi used a 17-4 second-quarter advantage to pull away.